KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women's soccer team got back in the win column against Wofford, with a 3-1 win that followed a Senior Day ceremony on a rainy Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. 
 
Filled with good feelings after the team's veterans were commemorated, the Owls kicked the game off with a lot of energy.
 
It took a little over ten minutes for one of today's honorees Lexi Labonte to find an opener. Tianna Rivera received a loose ball, turned and fizzed a shot off the post. Labonte read the rebound perfectly and put herself in a position to easily slot in. This is the senior's second goal this season after scoring her first collegiate goal in an overtime win against College of Charleston earlier this season.
 
Head coach Benji Walton on Labonte…
"Lexi is a unique player; she's a very technical kid. The team and I call her 'buzzsaw.' She'll have at least three or four fouls a game because of how hard she works. She creates everything off of her energy. She'll do anything she can to score and she's a workhorse. She's been making the most of her opportunity this season."
 
The Owls dictated much of the pace of the game in the second half, but the Terriers scored a curling equalizer against the run of play to end the first half.
 
Any hope that Wofford could carry that momentum into the second half was dashed by Erin Miller's header in the 62nd minute to make it 2-1. The defender made a run to the back post on a Kathryn Schreck corner, and nodded it past the Terriers' substitute goalkeeper. This is the junior's second goal of the KSU campaign, and second from a set piece.
 
Walton on Miller…
"She's played everywhere in her career: she's been a goalkeeper, a forward, an outside-back and now she's a centerback. Second half, she did a great job of anticipating play. She was hard to beat and I'm really proud of her."
 
Labonte contributed again after blocking a pass in the midfield, which Rivera latched onto before fizzing a left-foot shot into the back of the net from the edge of the 18-yard box. The effort clinched a three-point night for Rivera, a single-game best for the sophomore left winger. Kennesaw State's third goal slammed the door shut on any comeback from its Spartanburg, S.C. adversary.
 
Walton on Rivera…
"I think she really got into a rhythm in the second half, along with the rest of the team. The squad was a little flat-footed in the first half so I challenged them to come out with energy in the second. Tianna was more aggressive and anticipated play better on the transition. She was receiving the ball, turning well and running at people and that's when she's at her best. I'm proud of her for getting that goal; I know it's been weighing on her, so hopefully that monkey is off of her back."
 
The Owls carry momentum toward ASUN play, which begins Thursday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in Fifth Third Bank Stadium against North Alabama.
 
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.