By: KSU Sports Information
Box Score
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team dropped its 2011 season opener, 7-1, at Alabama on Friday evening in front of 652 fans at Alabama Soccer Stadium.
The loss drops the Owls to 0-1 on the season, and 1-1 all-time against Alabama.
The Crimson Tide didn’t waste much time in taking the early momentum as they put one in the back of the net just 32 seconds into the match. Alabama caught the KSU defense by surprise as Laura Lee Smith snuck in behind the backline and beat
Melissa Hutto on her right side.
Alabama pushed its lead to 2-0 in the third minute as Lindsey Sillers once again took advantage of a confused Owl defense beating Hutto in a one-on-one situation.
KSU settled in later in the half with its best scoring opportunity coming in the 12th minute of play. Senior
Katie Scott got off a solid header, but Alabama goalkeeper Justine Bernier made an excellent save to keep the game 2-0.
Alabama tacked on two more goals late in the half make the score 4-0 at halftime. The Crimson Tide outshot Kennesaw State 13-6 in the first half, and had a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
The Black and Gold got on the board in the 52nd minute on a nice looking strike by redshirt-freshman
Katrina Frost. Frost was 25 yards out and drilled a ball with her right foot that beat the Alabama keeper in the top left corner to make the score 5-1.
The Crimson Tide went on to add two more goals to make the final score 7-1.
"It was an interesting night that we hopefully learn a lot from," head coach
Rob King said. "We gave a goal up in the first minute and another two minutes later. Alabama punished us on our mistakes. We played better in the second half, but again made some naive mistakes. The good thing about Friday-Sunday games is that we have an opportunity to learn quickly and get back on track this weekend."
Hutto finished with four saves in 65 minutes of action, while Frost led KSU with six shots.
Six newcomers started for the Owls in the game in
Nicole Calder,
Jana Eady, Frost,
Anna Gudmundsdottir,
Iyani Hughes and
Jewelia Strickland.
The Black and Gold conclude their two-game season opening road trip on Sunday afternoon at Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. eastern time.
