Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Photo Gallery

KENNESAW, Ga. – An early goal and a solid defensive effort proved to be a winning formula as the Kennesaw State women's soccer team made a successful home debut, defeating visiting Morehead State, 1-0, Friday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
The win improved the Owls to 3-0-2 on the season and marked the first time KSU has been unbeaten through five games since the 2003 team opened 8-0 en route to the NCAA Division II national championship.
 
Kennesaw State also posted its third consecutive shutout, a feat accomplished for the first time since the 2009 season. The program record for consecutive shutouts is eight set by the 2003 team. The Division I record is five accomplished in 2006.
 
FIRST STRIKE
Senior Ashtah Das produced the game-winner when she received a cross from sophomore Emely Sosa and found the back of the net from inside the box at the 20:26 mark. It marked her second goal of the season.  
 
DOMINATING DEFENSE
The Owls turned in another dominating defensive performance as they held Morehead State (0-4-0) without a shot in the first half and finished the match with a 20-5 advantage in shots. Redshirt freshman Tiffany Sornpao, who was making her third straight start, was tested only once as she finished with one save.
 
DISPLAYING DEPTH
With 13 true freshmen on the roster, Kennesaw State has shown early on that it may be young, but also talented. Head coach Benji Walton played 22 of his 26 players in the match, including 12 freshmen, with five in the starting lineup.
 
QUOTING THE COACH
"The defense continues to step up and we're starting to get rhythm with it so we're excited about that," Walton said. "The first half I thought we started to get a rhythm as it wore on and we had some great looks. We took a step in the right direction. I keep telling them it's a process and we want to keep growing each game, and I think as a whole we did tonight."
 
OF NOTE
For the first time this season, the Owls did not go into overtime on a Friday. During the opening two weeks, Kennesaw State opened the weekend with overtime contests, tying Winthrop (1-1) and Georgia Southern (0-0).
 
Next Up
Kennesaw State is back in action on Sunday (Sept. 3) when it welcomes Samford to Fifth Third Bank Stadium for a 6 p.m. kickoff. It will also be Youth Day with a number of events planned, including a face painter, free bag of popcorn to the first 100 kids, access to the field at halftime and an autograph session following the match. Admission to all KSU home soccer matches is free.
 
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.