THE BASICS
Records: Kennesaw State (0-2), Vanderbilt (1-0)
Score: Kennesaw State 14, Vanderbilt 18
Key Players: Siena Gore (4 goals, 5 draw controls, 5 ground balls), Anna Giulitto (3 goals and 1 assist), Haley Swift (2 goals and 2 assists), Lauren Hoffman (10 saves)
 
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (XML) | Photo Gallery

THE STORYLINE: 
· Kennesaw State fell down 6-1 early to the Vanderbilt Commodores, but battled back to get within one goal four different times in the game behind good offensive days from Siena Gore, Anna Giulitto and Haley Swift. With the Owls trailing 14-12 with 15 minutes to play, Vandy scored three straight goals to finally get some breathing room and get the win in their opening game of the 2018 season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED: 
· After Vanderbilt stormed out to a 6-1 lead, KSU scored five of the next six goals to get back within one at 7-6.
· The two teams traded goals from there into the second half. Kennesaw State got within one goal four different times in the game, but could never get over the hump and tie the score.
· Giulitto scored her third goal of the game to get the Owls within 14-12 with 15 minutes to play. 
· From there, Vanderbilt scored the next three goals to go up five. The Owls tried to rally one last time with two straight goals, but Vanderbilt held on 18-14.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 
· Kennesaw State and Vanderbilt have played every season since the Owls started their program in 2013. The four-point margin of victory was the smallest between the two teams in the six meetings. Over the first five meetings, Vanderbilt won by an average of 15.8 goals.
· The draw controls and ground balls were close throughout with the Commodores having a small edge in both. Vanderbilt led 18-16 in draw controls and 30-26 in ground balls.
· Gore led the team in goals for the second straight game with four. She also won five draw controls and picked up five ground balls.
· Giulitto had a career day scoring three goals and having one assist.
· Lauren Hoffman had another good day in goal coming up with 10 saves for the second game in a row.
· Haley Swift also chipped in four points with two goals and two assists.
· Emily Hallberg had a big day on the defensive end, coming up with three caused turnovers. She also won three draw controls.
 
UP NEXT
The Owls will travel to play Marquette on Sunday, February 18 at 1 p.m. It will be the first meeting between the two teams.

To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State lacrosse news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsLax 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.