By: Kiah Armstrong
Friday, Feb. 12
6:00 p.m. ET - Kennesaw State (0-0) at Jacksonville (0-2-1)
Links: Live Stats
Sunday, Feb. 14
1:00 p.m. ET - Kennesaw State (0-0) at North Florida (1-0)
Links: Live Stats
Season Preview
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After the cancellation of their home season opener against the Charlotte 49ers last Friday, the Kennesaw State Owls are set to go head-to-head in their first match of the season against Jacksonville University this Friday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m.
The Owls ended their memorable 2019 season with an 11-7-2 record and 5-3 ASUN conference record while the Dolphins concluded their season with a 0-13-3 record. After adding four new defenders, two midfielders and one forward to the mix, along with 17 returners, the sky is the limit for this team.
The selection of KSU standouts, senior Erin Harris and sophomore Becky Contreras, as part of the spring 2021 Preseason All-ASUN team is sure to give the Owls the edge that's needed to carry them through this new season.
Harris started all 20 games and played a career high of 1,435 minutes last season. The forward also ranked second in the ASUN with six assists and led the Owls in total points with 16. She was named second team all-conference. Harris ranked fourth on the team in total shots with 28 and second in shots on-goal with 16.
Contreras was selected as ASUN Freshman of the Year as she joined Harris on the second team-all conference squad after her 2019 rookie year. The midfielder started all 20 games and played 1,530 minutes. Contreras led the Owls with six goals and 69 shots, good for third in the ASUN.
Kelsey Hahn is another key player who hit career highs in the 2019 season which include five shots with three on goal, two assists and led the Owls with 1,604 minutes of playing time. Last season she played 20 matches and started 17 of those games.
The Dolphins hold an 0-2-1 record for the 2021 season, which includes a 0-0 tie against Mercer and losses to North Florida and FIU.
The Owls haven't lost to the Dolphins since the 2015 season. The last time these two teams faced off was Sept. 29, 2019 and the Owls defeated the Dolphins, 1-0.
On Sunday Feb. 14, the Owls head to North Florida to face off against the Ospreys, who have proven themselves to be a tight matchup for the Owls. Although the Owls won 3-1 in their last matchup in the 2019 season, both teams have juggled wins and losses against each other in recent years.
Under the leadership of head coach Benji Walton, the Owls went from an 8-7-4 record in 2017 to a 12-6-1 record in 2018. In 2019, they ended with an 11-7-2 record and reached the ASUN Conference tournament championship.
