Score: Kennesaw State 6, Vanderbilt 16, 
Records: Kennesaw State (0-1), Vanderbilt (1-0)
Key Players: Connor Zophy (2 goals and one assist), Olivia Hokanson (2 goals), Sydney Farwick (1 goal and 1 assist)
 
Box Score (XML)

KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State lacrosse team fought hard, but dropped its opening game of the 2016 season to Vanderbilt 16-6.
 
After Vanderbilt jumped out to an early 3-0 lead sophomore Connor Zophy scored the Owls first goal of the season off an assist from teammate Lucy Mills. Later in the first half, junior Sydney Farwick ripped one into the net and Zophy would add her second goal of the game late in the half to make the halftime score 8-3.

Today was a big day for the Owls team as Olivia Hokanson returned to action after missing all of last season with an injury. Hokanson picked up right where she left off in 2014 scoring a pair of second half goals for the Owls who continued to pressure the Vanderbilt defense all game long. Mills would add the Owls final goal of the game with 1:18 to go.

The KSU defense battled hard the entire game stopping 22 of Vanderbilt's 38 shots in the game including 12 in the first half alone.

The Owls will be back in action on Saturday, February 20 against Davidson at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at 5:00 p.m.

On the Season Opener against Vanderbilt
"Today's game was really exciting for our program and our student-athletes. We worked really hard going in to the season on preparing and focusing on our systems. Our focus is just taking it one game at a time. We were able to focus on our style of play against a very strong and veteran Vanderbilt team. You can't control who you go up against, but you can control the effort and focus you have in your system. I think it shows the maturity and leadership we have on our team that the girls were trusting of each other, the coaches, and what we were trying to do and accomplish today. Although we did not get the win today, we still got a lot of little wins today for our program. I am very excited for how this game positions us going into our next game vs Davidson."
- Head Coach Kristina Llanes

NOTES

• Eight freshman made their debuts for the Owls today.
• Olivia Hokanson's two goals today brings her career total vs Vanderbilt to 5. She had three goals against them in 2014 in her first game as an Owl.
• The Owls six goals today  are the most they scored against Vanderbilt in four meetings.
• Sophomore goalie Elaine Bradley had 10 saves in 36 minutes of game action.

 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State lacrosse news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsLax 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.