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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State soccer team suffered a hard-fought 2-0 defeat at the hands of Ohio Valley Conference opponent UT Martin on Sunday at KSU Stadium.
I thought we did well in the first half,” said Head Coach
Rob King. “We generated several very good chances, but we did not stick it in the back of the net. Obviously, they hung around and I think the goal they scored on was a very good strike, but we gave that player way too much time to get that shot off. Second half I thought we look quite fatigued. Obviously we had a Friday night game on the road and got back in late, but that’s what it is about in the conference. You play two games in the weekend. You have to be up for both and you have to be physically ready for both.”
UTM’s Midori Sera notched the game-winning goal and gave the Skyhawks (3-4-2) a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute of the first half, on an assist from Domininka Conc. After receiving the ball from Conc in the midfield, Sera took a couple of dribbles toward the goal, and ripped a shot from just beyond the 18-yard box that sailed into the left upper corner of the goal.
Kennesaw State (4-5-0) pushed for a goal in the second half, but was unable to get behind the Skyhawk backline and UTM goalkeeper Mariah Klenke.
UTM added to its lead in the second half as Saphyra Coombs-James headed the ball into the upper left corner of the goal off of a Hannah McGowen corner kick in the 65th minute to secure the win.
Despite the outcome, the Owls outshot UT Martin 16-15, however the Skyhawks tallied seven shots on goal to KSU’s six. Redshirt-sophomore
Katrina Frost (Fayetteville, Ga./South Carolina) led the Owl attack with five shots, while sophomore
Iyani Hughes (Chelsea, Ala./Chelsea HS) fired four shots, with three on frame. Alyssa Curtis and Jaclyn Heckle each registered three shots for UTM.
UT Martin totaled seven corner kicks in the match, while Kennesaw State earned one.
Senior goalkeeper
Melissa Hutto (Pensacola, Fla./South Alabama) posted five saves in the contest, while Klenke finished with six.
With this match, the Owls wrap up non-conference action, and will next open Atlantic Sun Conference play on Saturday, Sept. 22 as Kennesaw State battles rival Mercer at 7 p.m. ET at KSU Stadium.
Keep up with Owls soccer this year by following KSU on Twitter at @
KSUOwlNation and @
ksuOWLSsoccer, or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on
Facebook.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
