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POSTGAME INTERVIEWS
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State lacrosse team made history Friday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
Behind the offensive firepower of junior
Emily Collins and freshman
Senneca Ward, and the stellar goalkeeping of freshman goalie
Beth Cochran, the Owls defeated Atlantic Sun Conference rival Howard, 14-13, to record the program's first-ever win.
Collins tallied a program-record seven goals and Ward equaled a career-best with six scores, while Cochran established a career-high with 14 saves.
Kennesaw State (1-7, 1-1) recorded several firsts in the game, including: first-ever halftime lead, largest lead and first come-from-behind victory.
“It was really exiting. It was a team win tonight. Everyone contributed, everybody did their part and really pushed to get us to the win,” head coach Kristina Llanes said. “We talked a lot this week about discipline and staying focused on the game plan. Our main goal was to possess the ball and to make sure to take the scoring opportunities away from them. Our offense was able to execute that very well tonight.”
The Owls withstood a late rally by the Bison (1-13, 0-2), who scored four straight goals to tie the score at 13:13 with 1:35 remaining before Collins scored the game-winner with 1:05 to play.
“I just fought to get the ball. I know that we just about to start a draw again and I knew we just needed to win by one. That’s what our goal was and that was what we need to do,” Collins said. “When I had that clear shot, when the (defender) fell down on the ground I knew I just wanted to take that goalie down.”
While Collins and Ward were helping the offense set a single-game record for most goals scored, Cochran and the defense limited Howard to an opponent-low 13 goals.
“Defensively, we were strong in the crash. When the ball was coming we had pretty good ideal what they were doing offensively, so defensively were able to adjust our game and figure out how to come out with a win,” Cochran said.
The victory puts Kennesaw State in position to advance to the A-Sun Conference Championship tournament that will be held April 26-28 in Jacksonville, Fla. The league is comprised of five teams and the top four in the final regular-season standings qualify for the tournament.
The Owls conclude weekend play when they travel to DeLand, Fla., to play Stetson on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
