By: Matteen Zibanejadrad
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's soccer team (7-7, 6-3) defeated the Bellarmine Knights (2-6-3, 2-4-3) for the third time this season to advance to the ASUN Championship Semifinals with a 1-0 shutout in Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The home team came close to opening the scoring midway through the second half, as Tianna Rivera cut inside the Knights' defense with a smart bit of skill and curled a shot just wide.
Becky Contreras scored the lone goal for the Owls at the 87:35 mark, with the 2019 ASUN Freshman of the Year heading in a corner kick from defender Kathryn Schreck.
The Owls got 12 shots off with five on target while the Knights had six shots with two on goal. Contreras finished the game with six shots and three on goal followed by Kelsey Hahn who logged two shots.
Goalkeeper Dylan Pixton had two saves to make while her Bellarmine counterpart Elyssa Francis had three.
"So proud of our team's battle today," said Head Coach Benji Walton. "Bellarmine may be the hardest-fighting team in the ASUN. They had a great game plan today and it took our team some time to figure out how to get a rhythm. I was thrilled with how our players adjusted and kept battling. I thought we found our style in the second half and created some great chances. In the playoffs, you just have to find a way and I'm thrilled that we grinded it out. Looking forward to seeing if we can build some momentum from this."
Kennesaw State advances to the ASUN Championship Semifinals, where the Owls will play FGCU Thursday, April 15 at 4 p.m in Fifth Third Bank Stadium
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.
