CONWAY, Ark. – The Kennesaw State women's soccer team came out on top 4-3 against ASUN newcomers Central Arkansas in an electric overtime thriller Thursday night in the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex.
"It's one of the best Kennesaw State games I've ever seen," said head coach Benji Walton. "UCA is one of the best teams in this conference, hands down. Our players had a little pep in their step knowing that we were going up against top competition. Being under the lights, knowing what was at stake, it felt like a playoff atmosphere, honestly. Our team played with a lot of composure and a lot of grit. We came out to play and just kept fighting. I'm really proud of this group."
The Owls found themselves down early off of an 18th-minute goal from the Bears, but Walton's side kept working hard up and down the pitch.
It took less than ten minutes for the team to find an answer, and it came through a surging run from Jenna Vollrath. Beating her full back, the senior ran to the byline before sending a cross into the middle of the box. Ebony Clarke was first to it, toe-poking the pass into the top netting of the Bears' goal. The equalizer made Clarke the first Owl with three goals on the season.
It didn't take long for a teammate to tie her, as Agata Giani soared a beautiful pass over the top of the Central Arkansas defense. Freshman forward Macie Rainwater found herself on the end of it, skipping a roller of a shot into the side netting for the Owls to take a 30th-minute lead.
Kennesaw State comfortably played out the rest of the first half, but were quickly stunned by a Central Arkansas equalizer in the opening minutes of the second half.
The Owls spent the night intent to answer everything the Bears had for them and this time it was locker room leader Kendall Higgs that sent her bench into rapture. A corner came in from Kathryn Schreck, which was headed to the 18-yard line by a UCA defender. The redshirt junior touched the ball up into the air and rocketed a laser into the top-left corner of the net off of the half volley.
"Higgs is the only player that we've ever had that she'll try that stuff in practice all the time. She's confident in her technical ability to get on top of that ball and take a half chance like that. That's a highlight reel goal for sure! It's probably up there as one of our best goals ever."
The Owls had nearly 40 minutes to protect their lead, but Central Arkansas found a way through in the 79th minute. The 90 minutes wasn't enough to separate the two sides, who would go into an overtime period to try and find a winner.
Kennesaw State kicked off the first period of overtime and worked the ball through the left side. Schreck found herself in what's become a signature spot for her, 35 yards from goal on the left flank. The left back sent in the early cross, which Clarke headed perfectly into the top corner to seal the Owls' win. The golden goal was the sophomore transfer's fourth of the season.
"Ebony's really finding her role and her rhythm with this team right now. She's very composed on the ball, she's quicker than she looks and she's confident with her long-range shots. Most importantly, she likes to fight for it. Look at the final goal. She goes to battle and gets over a bigger player to get that one in."
The Kennesaw State women's soccer team looks ahead to Sunday, Oct. 3, when the team will travel to Nashville, Tenn. to take on Lipscomb at 2 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.
