BOX SCORE (XML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
Score: College of Charleston 3, Kennesaw State 1
Records: College of Charleston (3-1-0), Kennesaw State (2-2-1)
Key Players: Maggie Gaughan (one goal, three shots, two shots on goal), Carly Pressgrove (one assist, one shot), Monica Herrera (three shots, two shots on goal), Ashley Zambetti (eight saves)
 
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – After falling behind 2-1 in the first half, the Kennesaw State soccer team put forth a valiant effort in the second half but it would not be enough as the Owls dropped a 3-1 contest to College of Charleston in the opening game of the Charleston Cup on Friday night (Sept. 4) at the Patriots Point Soccer Complex.
 
The Cougars would draw first blood just eight and half minutes into the contest as Raymara Barreto scored on a bicycle kick into the upper right corner of the goal.
 
Charleston added a second goal in the 25th minute as Jessica Schifer received a through ball from Sarah Blakely and finished into the lower right corner.
 
Despite the two-goal deficit, the Owls did not quit and responded with a goal in the 31st minute to bring the score to 2-1. Following a corner kick from senior Hannah Churchill, junior Maggie Gaughan collected a rebound on a shot from freshman Carly Pressgrove and finished into the back of the net.
 
Out of intermission, the Owls pressed ahead for the equalizing goal, but would be unable to do so. The Cougars then added an insurance goal in the 81st minute as Barreto put in her second score of the game to seal the 3-1 win for Charleston.
 
The Owls will continue the Charleston Cup when they take on The Citadel on Sunday (Sept. 6) at 2 p.m. ET at the Washington Light Infantry Field in Charleston, S.C. 

Quotables
"We were a little slow starting tonight and were always chasing the game, as a result of that. We were better in the second half, and at 2-1, created a couple of very good chances to tie it up. We have several freshman playing more minutes than expected, so there is a lot of learning taking place. We will recover tomorrow and be ready for Sunday."
- Kennesaw State Head Coach Rob King
 
Notes
- Junior Maggie Gaughan scored her first goal of the season and the 10th of her career on the Owls' lone score.
- With the score, Gaughan now owns 22 points in her three years as an Owl.
- Freshman Carly Pressgrove notched her first career point on an assist of Gaughan's goal.
- Gaughan and Pressgrove are the 10th and 11th players to register points for Owls this season.
- Sophomore goalkeeper Ashley Zambetti earned her second-straight start, making a season-high eight saves in the match.
- Zambetti leads the Owls with 13 saves on the season. 
- The Owls' loss against the Cougars is the first setback in the series history, with KSU still leading 4-1-0 in the all-time series.

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.