KENNESAW, Ga. – After securing his 50th win of his career against the College of Charleston, Benji Walton and his Kennesaw State women's soccer team captured their second-straight win with a 2-1 victory against Samford.
 
"I was extremely proud," said Walton. "Thursday's win against Charleston, we had to really play as a tight unit. We're still trying to grow as a unit and get our legs under us. When you do it well one night, it's hard sometimes to do it again three days later. I thought our girls did a great job of answering the bell with the intangibles, the physicality, the defending, the organization. When we won the ball, we were good in transition. Those are our keys right now and we're going to continue to build on that as we go through the season."
 
The Owls showed promise early with two close attacking chances at goal, set up by sophomore midfielder Agata Giani. Sophomore forward Ebony Clarke received a pass from Giani inside the box but sent the ball just over the crossbar. The Italian international delivered a dangerous ball to sophomore forward Tianna Rivera inside the box to force a difficult save out of the Bulldog keeper.
 
Walton on the play of Giani…
"She has grown up. As a freshman, we knew she had a lot of talent and she was getting used to the speed of the game. This year she answered the bell in preseason that she's made the adjustment, so she's anticipating play really well. She's getting stuck in; she's winning balls in the air, battling for everything. I can't say enough about her."
 
After exchanging early shots with Kennesaw State, the Bulldogs took the lead with a goal in the 23rd minute. Owl goalkeeper Dylan Pixton demonstrated her reflexes as she saved the shot on to the post, but the ricochet found a Samford player for an easy opener.
 
Rivera awed with her dribbling skills, creating space to complete a cross into the box for redshirt-sophomore Caeden Price. Usually deployed in the back four, the forward found the bottom corner perfect for a quick equalizer; less than two minutes after going down, the Owls had leveled the playing field.
 
Freshman forward Macie Rainwater scored her first collegiate goal in what was just her third start when she connected on a header from a Kathryn Schreck cross that gave the Owls the lead in the 59th minute. Despite the constant pressure from the Bulldogs in the second half, Pixton protected the Owls' net with eight saves.
 
The Owls will take a quick drive southbound on Interstate-75 to visit the Georgia State Panthers on Friday, September 3 at 7 p.m.
 
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.