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KENNESAW, Ga. – A quick start by Alabama proved too much to overcome as the Kennesaw State women's soccer team fell 3-1 to the Crimson Tide Thursday evening at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
 
The loss was the first of the year for the Owls (4-1-2), who had their three-match winning streak snapped. Alabama improved to 6-1-0 on the season.
 
QUICK STRIKE
Alabama gained the upper hand less than two minutes into the match when Abbie Boswell scored off a throw-in by Kaley Verpaele at the 1:46 mark. The Crimson Tide added to its lead in the 16th minute on a goal by Taylor Morgan, and took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
 
ABBY ROTH SCORES
Trailing 3-0, Kennesaw State got on the scoreboard in the 85th minute when senior Abby Roth scored on a header off a corner kick by freshman Kendall Hart.
 
QUOTING THE COACH
"I told our team at halftime that I thought we came out extremely flat. Alabama is a very good team and I don't want to take anything away from them, but we gave them way more space than we wanted to tonight and they make you pay when you do that," head coach Benji Walton said. "Good teams make you pay if you don't come out ready at the sound of the bell. That was the first time I saw us not ready to go.
 
"I thought in the second half we played like we normally play and it was a much better game. We created more opportunities and that is the kind of fight I like in my team. I was disappointed with the team's first-half effort but thought we responded in the second half and gave the kind of effort that Kennesaw State is proud of."
 
WALTON'S TAKEAWAY
"You need to be ready to go no matter who you are playing. With our young team, I thought there were some starry eyes early on, and that is the lesson we take away. You need to come out and be ready to play no matter who you are playing. After the game, I challenged them to come out and set the tone rather than let the tone be set. Tonight, Alabama set the tone."  
 
OF NOTE
Alabama had an 18-7 advantage in shots, including a 9-4 edge in shots on goal. Freshman Kendall Hart recorded her second career assist.
   
NEXT UP
Kennesaw State returns to Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Sunday (Sept. 10) when it hosts UNC Asheville at 1 p.m. in a match that will be broadcast on Facebook Live. Admission 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.