By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
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KENNESAW, Ga. – In its lone exhibition match of the preseason, the Kennesaw State women’s soccer team battled to a 1-1 tie with Jacksonville State on Friday night at KSU Soccer Stadium.
The Black and Gold showed flashes of brilliance throughout the contest, but at the same time there are some things that the Owls need to work on before the regular season begins as head coach
Rob King addressed that after the game.
“I'm pleased with tonight's game as it certainly gives us something to look at, learn from, and build upon,” coach King said. “Our starting midfielders in tonight’s contest were all freshmen, as was one of our outside backs. We were able to get quality minutes from each of our healthy players and provide everyone with the experience of playing in the stadium. We had several players resting tonight, as we didn't want to risk further injury, but all should be healthy for next week’s season opener at Alabama. I thought we possessed the ball well at times, but need to do a better job of attacking the ball in both penalty areas.”
In a game that saw both squads trying to get a feel for what they have heading into the 2011 season 18 KSU players saw action, including seven newcomers in
Nicole Calder,
Emily Cox,
Jana Eady,
Katrina Frost,
Anna Gudmundsdottir,
Julia Nelson,
Jewelia Strickland.
Jacksonville State struck first in the 23rd minute as Nathalee Lariviere took a cross from Kaitlin Manns and headed it past KSU goalkeeper
Melissa Hutto into the top left corner of the net to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead.
Kennesaw State countered in the 35th minute as senior co-captain
Katie Schwartz provided the equalizer deflecting the ball off her right leg into the back of the net off a beautifully struck corner kick by senior
Alyssa Mahan.
Both teams had some quality scoring chances in the second half, but neither team could capitalize as the match ended in a 1-1 tie.
KSU outshot the Gamecocks 18-9, and the Owls also held a slim 7-6 edge in corner kicks. Senior
Brittany Vining led all players in shots with seven.
Hutto and Cox each played 45 minutes in net for the Owls, and the pair combined to make three saves on the evening.
Kennesaw State will have a busy week of practice as it makes its final preparations for its 2011 season opener at Alabama on Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. ET.
