DECATUR, Ga. – Following a late equalizer to send the game into overtime, the Kennesaw State women's soccer team fell to Georgia State in an overtime, Friday-night fight at the GSU Soccer Complex.
 
"Disappointed," said head coach Benji Walton. "I thought we didn't quite play our best brand of soccer tonight. We fought for it and I'm proud of our effort, but I think we just were a little reactive tonight. I tip my cap to Georgia State. I thought they played a very good game tonight. It was back and forth between both teams, but I think they just executed a little better than us tonight. I think if we can do a better job of executing our game plan and making decisions a little faster, this will be a good lesson for us going forward."
 
The Owls were unable to carve out any significant chances in the first half, but goalkeeper Dylan Pixton stood on her head in the Kennesaw State net. The redshirt junior made four saves going into halftime.
 
The Floridian made her fifth and sixth saves in quick succession to start out the second half, but the third-straight shot on goal from the Panthers facilitated the opener in the 49th minute.
 
Walton on Pixton…
"She's, in my opinion, the best keeper in the conference. Hands down. She doesn't get enough credit. We're not doing a good enough job on set pieces and frankly, that's the only reason that she's conceded the goals she's conceded. They've all been either penalties or corner kicks. She's been lights out. She's playing outstanding and as a team, we've got to do a better job at executing defensive corners than we're doing right now."
 
Left winger Tianna Rivera forced a save out of the Georgia State goalie in the 72nd minute, a harbinger of what was to come for the Owls.
 
In the 82nd minute, freshman Macie Rainwater scored her second goal in as many games with a left-footed strike into the bottom-left corner of the Panthers' net. The Kennesaw, Ga. native previously scored the winner against Samford last Sunday, heading in a Kathryn Schreck cross.
 
Walton on Rainwater…
"A couple shots on their net and one bounced back out at her. She composed herself and finished under pressure to the back post. It all came from her working her tail off. Tenacious is a good word for it. As we're trying to get healthy, she's made the most of her opportunity and really grown into a big-time role for us. Really proud for her. I think she's gaining more and more confidence everyday and excited to see where that confidence goes."
 
Despite Rainwater sending the match into overtime, Georgia State would win the day in the eighth minute of overtime.
 
The Owls look ahead to Sunday, Sept. 5, as they return home to Fifth Third Bank Stadium to take on the ACC's Boston College for the first time in program history. Kickoff is set for noon.
 
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.