KENNESAW STATE 2, USC UPSTATE 1 Box Score (PDF) Box Score (XML)

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Junior Kaitlyn Sterling struck for a goal in the 79th minute to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Kennesaw State women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over USC Upstate Saturday (Oct. 22) afternoon in both teams' regular-season finale.
 
The Owls (9-7-1, 4-3-0) clinched a winning season and will now await the results of Saturday night's ASUN Conference play to see who their first-round opponent will be. KSU will host an opening-round match on Saturday (Oct. 29) at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at a time to be determined.
 
Senior Monica Herrera gave the Owls a 1-0 lead, scoring at the 23:07 mark off an assist from senior Kim Fincher. The Spartans (0-14-3, 0-6-1) answered with the equalizing goal two minutes later when Autumn Gore struck for a score in the 26th minute and the two teams went into halftime tied, 1-1.
 
The score remained knotted until Sterling settled the ball in front of the goal and chipped it over the USC Upstate goalkeeper for the game-winner. Junior Ida Hepsoe was credited with an assist on the play.
 
Kennesaw State out-shot the Spartans, 19-7, and held a 5-4 advantage in shots-on-goal.

BENJI BITES
"USC Upstate really battled from the beginning and weren't going to go away quietly. We knew we were going to have a fight on our hands," head coach Benji Walton said. "It took us a while to get a rhythm and once we did, we kept pushing and getting after it and got our two goals from unlikely sources.
 
"Monica got her second goal of the year and Kaitlyn scored her first collegiate goal, which was huge," Walton added. "I told the girls that if you are going to win in the playoffs, you have to play your game and someone has to step up, and today we had that happen."

WHAT'S NEXT
The Owls open ASUN Conference Tournament play on Saturday when they host a first-round match at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. KSU's opponent will be either NJIT or North Florida, pending the results of play later today.
 
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, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.