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KENNESAW, Ga. – A pair of second half goals from freshman Ashtah Das and senior Julia Nelson propelled the Kennesaw State soccer team to a crucial 2-1 Atlantic Sun Conference victory over Stetson on Friday night (Oct. 3) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
"It was a very hard-fought game," said head coach Rob King. "It was important for us that we got the win at home tonight. We played well at times, but again we gave a goal up against the run of play. So we made it difficult for ourselves, but I was really pleased with the fight. When things opened up in the second half I thought we played some good combinations and played the goals very good, so overall we were very pleased."
 
The Hatters (2-9-1, 0-2-0) struck first in a back and forth first half to take 1-0 lead in the 26th minute when Adrianna Suarez sent a through ball to Sarah Collins, who finished past freshman goalkeeper Mady Carter and into the upper left corner of the net.
 
Trailing out of the break, the Owls (4-7-1, 1-1-0) pushed forward for the equalizer, which would come about 17 minutes into the second half as a pair of freshmen connected on the game-tying score. Freshman Mali Kokvoll  notched her second career assist as she served a cross from the right side of the field into the box to Das, who blasted a one-touch shot into the bottom left corner to even the match at 1-1 and earned the Kennesaw, Georgia native her first career goal as an Owl.
 
With just 12 minutes remaining in regulation, Nelson put in the eventual game winner after freshman Marit Sandtroeen carried the ball into the box and found Nelson on the right side of the field. Nelson then took a touch before burying the ball into the left corner to give the Owls a 2-1 advantage in the 78th minute.
 
Despite a frenzied Hatter attack in the final moments of the match, KSU stood firm to earn its first conference victory of the season.
 
The Owls outshot Stetson, 15 to eight, with Nelson leading the attack with a career-high six shots in the match. Redshirt-sophomore Brittney Reed added five shots in the win.
 
Carter did not record a save in earning her first career win between the posts, while Hatter goalkeeper Karlie Hightower collected four saves in the loss.
 
The Owls return to action on Sunday, taking on 2013 A-Sun regular season champion Florida Gulf Coast at 1 p.m. ET at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. KSU will aim to Pink Out the stadium on Sunday with Red Card Cancer and Pink Out Day. In partnership with the Red Card Cancer organization, the Owls will be raising money to go to Red Card Cancer, who partners with Johns Hopkins. Wristbands and t-shirts will be available with a donation, while the first 250 fans will also receive a free collapsible water bottle.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State soccer news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSoccer or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
 
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium is the home of women's soccer, women's lacrosse and football, which will play its inaugural season in 2015.