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KENNESAW, Ga. – Behind exceptional goalkeeping by redshirt freshman Tiffany Sornpao, the Kennesaw State women's soccer team turned back visiting Samford, posting a 1-0 victory Sunday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
The win improved the Owls to 4-0-2 on the season and marked the first time KSU has been unbeaten through six matches since the 2003 team opened 8-0 en route to the NCAA Division II national championship.
 
Kennesaw State also posted its fourth consecutive shutout, a feat accomplished for the first time since the 2009 season. The program record for consecutive shutouts is eight set in 2003, and Division I record is five accomplished in 2006.
 
SORNPAO STEADY
Making her fourth straight start, Sornpao came up big throughout the match, recording a career-high 10 saves, including some worthy for the highlight reel. Sornpao was ready from the outset as the Bulldogs (1-5-0) opened with a relentless attacking style of play and continued to pressure for the entire 90 minutes.
 
FIRST STRIKE
Despite being outshot 14-3 for the match, the Owls took advantage of their one scoring opportunity in the first half as freshman Kendall Hart served a ball into the box to senior Ida Hepsoe, who one-touched it with her left foot and found the left side of the goal at the 38:12 mark.
 
QUOTING THE COACH
"As soon as Friday's game ended we talked to the team about how it is going to take all 26 (players). Not all 26 played, but all of them had to be invested, talking to each other, helping each other, coming out, cutting loose and just being themselves," head coach Benji Walton said. "I thought they did an amazing job. They had to fight through it because as the game went on they were getting frustrated and it was getting more and more physical. It wasn't perfect but out girls answered the call, and I am proud of the fight.
 
"Samford is an amazingly fast, possession-style team that is athletic and technical at every position, and is a Power Five team playing in the Southern Conference," Walton added. "We needed to see that because that is what we will face in conference. I was proud of our team. We haven't seen that speed yet until today and I thought we answered the bell pretty well."
 
WALTON ON SORNPAO
"Tiffany made some unbelievable, top-level saves. I am as proud as I can possibly be of a kid because we really challenged her to come in ready and she did. She came out tonight and played at the next level. Tiffany played lights out and I think our whole team fought hard, but she came up big when we needed her."
  
Next Up
Kennesaw State returns to Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Thursday (Sept. 7) when it hosts Alabama at 7 p.m. in a match that will be broadcast live on ESPN3. The evening will also mark Fan Appreciation Night with the first 300 fans receiving a KSU tank top.
 
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.