By: Kennesaw State Sports Information
Game Notes
KENNESAW. Ga. - The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team comes into Sunday’s match against Wyoming facing adversity for the first time this season. The Owls are coming off a winless weekend at the First Tennessee Lady Vol Classic in which they tied Richmond and lost to No. 14 Maryland. Kick-off on Sunday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
It is the first time in over a year that the Owls (2-1-1) have failed to come out of back-to-back matches without a win since they lost to No. 17 Minnesota and Auburn last season. Since joining Division I in 2004, the Black and Gold have never played three straight matches in the same season without recording a win.
The Black and Gold fought hard in a scoreless tie against the Richmond Spiders last Friday night. The tie was the first for the Owls since Oct. 10, 2008, when they played Belmont to a scoreless tie.
On Sunday afternoon, Kennesaw State fell to one of the nation's top teams in No. 14 Maryland. The Black and Gold stayed close with the Terapins until mid-way through the first half when Maryland scored its first goal en route to a 4-0 win.
Head coach Rob King's squad will rely heavily on senior goalkeeper Staci Pugh to keep the Black and Gold in the match. It was Pugh who made seven saves against Richmond to help preserve the shutout and tie throughout all of regulation and two periods of extra time. She also teamed up with sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Hutto to help achieve a shutout in the Owls' 6-0 victory over Alabama A&M.
Offensively, it will be up to juniors Kristin Marietta, Alyssa Mahan and Lauren Ruffini to provide a spark. Through three games, the trio share the lead in goal with two apiece, having provided 60 percent of the team's scoring thus far this season, and rank first, second and third, respectively in total shots. They will be counted on to put pressure on the Cowgirls' defense on Sunday afternoon, especially in the absence of fellow junior Kristin Kranick, who has been out since leaving the team's second match of the year with an injury.
The Owls look to turn things around as they are back home in the friendly confines of KSU Soccer Stadium. Kennesaw State looks to remain undefeated in their new stadium as they won their only home match this season on Aug. 22, 6-0, over Alabama A&M.
Wyoming (2-3-0) was picked to finish sixth in the Mountain West Conference preseason poll and are coming off 9-8-3 record last season. Under third-year head coach Danny Sanchez, the Cowgirls return six starters, including leading scorer, sophomore forward Carmen Blume. They are coming off a, 3-0, home loss to Colorado College on Thursday evening.
This will be the first time that the two teams will compete against one another. It is also the first-ever matchup for the Owls against a team from the Mountain West Conference.
Sunday afternoon’s match is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is KSU Soccer Stadium Replica Giveaway Day. The first 1,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a miniature replica of the Owls new home.
