FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Kennesaw State women's soccer team opened up its divisional account in awe-inspiring fashion, as Ebony Clarke scored another overtime goal to beat FGCU 2-1 Thursday night at the FGCU Soccer Complex.
"I don't know how you describe it," said head coach Benji Walton. "Probably the worst first half we've played in six years, followed by one of the best we've ever put up in the six years that I've been here. I challenged them at half time. 'This is not who we are.' 'This is not how we play.' I didn't think we came in today ready for some reason, but I challenged them at halftime to show them who we really are and I think we did that tonight. Proud of the result and lesson learned."
The Owls were unable to muster much going forward in the first half, failing to put a shot on target before half time.
Kennesaw State had a lot of work to do, conceding an Eagle goal right before the half time whistle.
In the 61st minute, Kendall Higgs managed to break free with a run toward the FGCU goal. She dribbled past the goalkeeper, before being brought down in the box. The referee did not view the incident as a penalty, much to the disappointment of Walton and the KSU bench.
Dylan Pixton turned into a superhero in the 71st minute, making a litany of saves before being bundled over along with the ball into the KSU goal. Luckily, the referee saw Pixton fouled and the goal was disallowed.
Weather reared its ugly head once again, pausing the action with a lightning delay in the 73rd minute. Play would resume 45 minutes later.
Kendall Higgs always seemed the Owl most likely to score, and she finally broke through after a FGCU defensive miscue from a long ball up from Aila Swinton. The net was left wide open for the redshirt junior, who calmly slotted home for the 89th-minute equalizer; the 1-1 goal was Higgs' third goal of the 2021 fall campaign.
Overtime beckoned for both sides after they could not be separated by the 90 minutes.
Both goalkeepers were barely challenged in the two ten-minute periods of overtime, until Clarke fizzed a hard shot toward the Eagle net. The FGCU keeper was able to get a palm to the surging effort, saving it on to the crossbar for a corner. Kathryn Schreck unsurprisingly grabbed the ball and readied herself by the corner flag before sending a ball to the far post. Clarke was once again in the right place at the right time to head down for the golden goal.
With her team-leading fifth goal of the season, Clarke brought down a team that was previously unbeaten in four games against ASUN teams.
Walton on Clarke…
"She just has an outstanding understanding of the game. She comes from a soccer family. Her dad coached her growing up, her brother played professionally and her sisters played collegiately. She has a lot of knowledge and knows how to time her runs and get in good spots. She completely gets the tempo of the game. She has some great instincts and she's definitely provided a spark."
With the win, the Owls move to 6-6 on the season and 1-0 in conference play in their first divisional game this season.
To keep up with the latest on the Kennesaw State women's soccer team, follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsSoccer or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
