By: by Scott Lipsky
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Alyssa Mahan scored an impressive goal in the first half, providing all of the offense the Kennesaw State Owls would need in their, 1-0, victory over the North Florida Ospreys in rainy conditions at KSU Soccer Stadium on Sunday for their third Atlantic Sun Conference victory in four tries.
The Owls (6-4-1, 3-1-0 A-Sun) struck early, with freshman Alma Gardarsdottir gaining control of the ball near midfield before sending it ahead to junior Brittany Vining, who was able to find Mahan in the left corner down field. Mahan dribbled the ball forward before sending a high arching shot in traffic across the box and into the right edge, past the outstretched hands of North Florida (3-8-0, 2-2-0 A-Sun) goalkeeper Brittany Hahn to give Mahan her third goal of the season and first in A-Sun play since she scored against Stetson on Sept. 25 of last season.
“I was looking for Kristin Marietta on the back post, and when I crossed it the ball was able to find the right corner of the net,” Mahan said.
With her assist on the goal, Vining moved into a tie for ninth all-time in program history with 17 assists, tying Alissa Saylor.
Senior Owls goalkeeper Staci Pugh was solid in the net once again for the Black and Gold, recording her third shutout of the season and 23rd of her career, notching three saves on the afternoon.
“It was good that we got back into the swing of things and got ourselves a win, coming off of a loss on Friday evening,” King said, referring to their tough, 1-0, loss to Jacksonville. “We changed some things up defensively, and were able to score the goal. Staci Pugh came up big for us again this afternoon. Overall, I’m very pleased with how we played.”
North Florida’s best scoring opportunity came in the 82nd minute of play, when Ospreys forward Lauren Hopfensperger had only Pugh standing between her and the goal on the left side of the box, but she her shot sailed just left of the net. She was by far the biggest offensive threat during the match for the visiting team, accounting for four of UNF’s seven shots.
Kennesaw State head coach Rob King’s squad had a great chance to give themselves a two-goal cushion in the 76th minute, when a cross from junior Kristin Marietta came in from the right side of the box and freshman Ashley Gray just missed connecting on her header attempt, which would have given her her first career goal.
There were just 12 total shots in the match, with the Owls taking five of them, each coming from a different player. Tasia Williams and Thais Gibson also had shots on goal in addition to Mahan.
Sunday’s win was the first at KSU Soccer Stadium against an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent. With the victory, they move to 9-0-1 all-time against the Ospreys.
The Black and Gold go back on the road for more A-Sun competition this coming weekend, when they visit the state of Florida for a pair of matches against Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast. Their match against Stetson is Friday evening at 7 p.m., while kick-off at Florida Gulf Coast is at Noon.
