BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF) | VIDEO | PHOTO GALLERY
 
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State soccer team wrapped its 2014 preseason on Sunday night (Aug. 17) with a hard-fought 4-2 setback to Middle Tennessee in its third and final exhibition match at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

"I was very pleased with the fight in the second half," said head coach Rob King. "The first half was a very poor performance. We were not anywhere quickly enough for what you need to do in that system. We changed the system a little bit for the second half and put them under a lot of pressure. I liked the way we worked in the second half for a good 30-35 minutes of it. We worked very hard and there was great fitness in there."

The Blue Raiders jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of the match as Grace Summers dribbled through the KSU defense before finishing into the bottom right corner of the goal.
 
With just over 23 minutes left in the opening half, the match was sent into a 45-minute weather delay due to lightning in the vicinity. Out of the delay, MT quickly took a 3-0 lead as Peyton McCollum and Emily Jorgenson notched goals in the 24th and 26th minutes, with Jorgenson's score on a penalty kick following a foul in the 18-yard box.
 
Despite the deficit, the Owls fought back to score back-to-back goals in the closing minutes of the first half. Redshirt-sophomore Danielle Gray would head in her first exhibition goal of the season on a free kick cross from redshirt-sophomore Brittney Reed in the 43rd minute, before sophomore Maggie Gaughan stole the ball from MT goalkeeper Kelsey Brouwer and finished from 10 yards out in the 44th minute to bring the Owls within 3-2 at the half.
 
KSU continued to push in the second, but was hindered by a red card given to Gaughan in the 56th minute following a pair of yellow cards. The Blue Raiders sealed the match with a Katinka Stenberg goal in the 81st minute on a cross from McCollum.
 
The Owls posted nine shots in the match, with five on goal, while MT put up 16 shots, with 10 on frame. Senior Nicole Calder led KSU with three shots, while Gaughan added a pair.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Mady Carter earned the start and played the first 45 minutes of action, totaling two saves. Sophomore Olivia Sturdivant came on in the second half and recorded four saves in the period.
 
Kennesaw State officially opens the season on the road at Alabama next Friday (Aug. 22). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
 
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.
 
 

Related Videos

Now Playing:

• Play Video