At Winthrop
Date: Aug. 18
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Location: Rock Hill, S.C.
Stadium: Eagle Field
Series: Kennesaw State leads, 1-0
Live Stats | Live Video | Notes

At Georgia State
Date: Aug. 20
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Location: Decatur, Ga.
Stadium: GSU Soccer Field
Series: Kennesaw State leads, 3-2-2
Live Stats | Live Video | Notes

Game Preview
The Kennesaw State Soccer team opens its 16th season since the program was instituted in 2002, and second under head coach Benji Walton, on Friday (Aug. 18) when it visits Winthrop in Rock Hill, S.C. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) at Eagle Field.
 
Following Friday's opener, the Owls will return to Georgia and, after an off day on Saturday, conclude weekend play when they visit Georgia State on Sunday beginning at 7 p.m. (ET).
 
Quoting Walton
"The preseason was very productive for us. I thought the girls did a great job of embracing the demands and challenges that we placed upon them. As we get closer to the first weekend, you can really feel the energy and excitement from the team. There is nothing like finally rolling the ball out and having the games count for real. We are excited for this weekend but know we have our work cut out for us as we will be opening the season on the road against two very organized and talented teams. We are going to have to be very patient, focused and execute our game plan cleanly to get a (good) result. I am excited to see how we respond."
 
A Look Back at 2016
Kennesaw State concluded the 2016 campaign with a 10-8-1 mark, including a 4-3 mark in ASUN Conference play.
 
The Owls advanced to the semifinals of the ASUN Tournament where they fell 2-1 to eventual conference champion Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla.
 
Two Owls Earn Preseason All-Conference
Senior defender Abby Roth and sophomore midfielder Isabella Contreras earned ASUN Conference Preseason all-conference honors following a vote of the league's coaches. Both Roth and Contreras are coming off strong 2016 seasons in which they earned second team All-ASUN Conference accolades.
 
 Scouting Winthrop
• The Eagles, who begin their eighth season under head coach Spencer Smith, are coming off a 4-12-1 campaign in 2016.
• Winthrop returns its top two scorers from a year ago in sophomores Keeley Leising (6 goals, 1 assist) and Greta Conboy (3 goals, 1 assist).
 
Series Versus Winthrop
Kennesaw State leads the all-time series, 1-0, after recording a 1-0 victory over the Eagles last season at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
Scouting Gerogia State
• The Panthers posted a 5-6-6 mark a season ago under then first-year head coach Ed Joyce.
 
• Seven starters and 16 newcomers highlight the Georgia State roster. Sophomore midfielder Brooke Shank returns as the Panthers' top scorer from 2016 after scoring four goals last season.
 
Series Versus Georgia State
Kennesaw State holds a 3-2-2 advantage in the series. The two teams have played to a draw in two of the last three seasons, including a year ago when they played to a 0-0 tie at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. KSU's last win was a 1-0 road victory in 2013.
 
Kennesaw State Team Notes
• The 2017 Kennesaw State roster includes six seniors, one junior, five sophomores and 14 freshmen, including one redshirt freshman.
• Kennesaw State was picked to finish fourth in the ASUN Conference preseason coaches' poll after receiving 36 points. Defending conference champion Florida Gulf Coast topped the poll, totaling five first-place votes and 57 points.
• Seniors Jessica Sexton and Abby Roth return as the Owls' top scorers from a year ago after totaling seven points (3 goals, 1 assist).
 
Owls in Season Openers
Kennesaw State has posted a 9-6 record in season openers  dating back to 2002. KSU has opened  the year 1-0 in each of the last two seasons, including a 1-0 victory at Chattanooga in 2016.
 
Next Up
The Owls will continue their stretch of four straight road contests to begin the season when they travel to Macon, Ga. for a pair of matches. KSU will face Georgia Southern on Aug. 25 before taking on host Mercer on Aug. 27.

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.
 
 

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