Samford 3, KENNESAW STATE 1

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A couple first-half mistakes proved costly as the Kennesaw State women's soccer team fell 3-1 to Samford Friday night at Samford Track and Soccer Stadium in Birmingham, Ala.
 
Senior Cassidy Kemp got the Owls (4-4-1) going early, scoring on a header at the 15:49 mark. Kennesaw State was able to hold the lead for eight minutes until the Bulldogs (4-2-2) scored the equalizer, and the go-ahead goal with less than a minute remaining before halftime.

BENJI BITES
"We came out and played well and got a nice early goal," head coach Benji Walton said. "We made a couple mistakes and had some mental lapses, and good teams like Samford will punish you when you make a mistake. We played well but have to eliminate the mental mistakes and do a better job of closing out the half."
 
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Owls Strike First: The Owls showed some skill during the run of play as Cassidy Kemp headed in a goal after Shannon Driscoll and Kim Fincher had touches on the ball. Kemp's header came just inside the box.
 
Bulldogs Score Equalizer and Go-Ahead Goals: Samford tied the score on a goal by Abriella Argueta at the 23:57 mark, and recorded the game-winner when Courtney Hendrickson beat the Owls' defense for a goal with just 58 seconds remaining before halftime.
 
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
 * Samford outshot Kennesaw State, 16-11, including 8-5 in shots on-goal.
 * Senior Cassidy Kemp scored her fourth goal of the season and ranks second on the team in goals scored behind Shannon Driscoll, who has five.
 * The Owls have scored first in seven of their nine matches this season, including Friday night against the Bulldogs.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Owls are back in action on Sunday (Sept. 18) when they return home to Fifth Third Bank Stadium to host Winthrop beginning at 1 p.m. (ET). The match will be available on ESPN3.
 
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.