By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (6-8-2), (4-3-1) at North Florida (4-6-3), (3-3-2)
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. | Hodges Stadium
Date: Oct. 19
Time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Live Stats | Video
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State heads to Jacksonville, Fla., for a matchup against long-time conference rival North Florida on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Owls and Ospreys have met 23 times, with KSU holding a 14-6-3 record in the series.
KSU is coming off a strong 2-0 week with victories against Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine. The Owls earned three more points in the ASUN Conference standings and improved to 4-3-1 in the conference with the win over Bellarmine Sunday, which currently places KSU in sixth place. The top eight in the standings advance to the ASUN Conference Tournament.
KSU's final two games against North Florida and Stetson are key in the race to the ASUN Tournament, as all three teams are within three points of one another. UNF and Stetson currently sit seventh and eighth in the ASUN standings.
North Florida had a pair of shutouts last week, including a 0-0 tie against ASUN leader Liberty Sunday.
Tianna Rivera Named ASUN Player of the Week
Rivera was voted the ASUN Player of the Week Tuesday afternoon after the Miami native scored in back-to-back games, including the game-winner against Bellarmine. This is the second ASUN Player of the Week for Rivera, as the junior received the honor last season for her efforts against Wofford. Rivera scored the fifth and sixth goals of her career in wins over Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine. The forward notched her first goal of the season after dribbling past her defender and curling a shot around the defender and goalkeeper to solidify the 2-0 win against EKU Thursday. Rivera's second goal of the week was vital for the Owls as she converted a cross from Caeden Price for the game-winning header in the 89th minute as KSU defeated Bellarmine 2-1 Sunday. Sunday's header was the first game-winning goal of the season for the Miami native and the second of her career.
Allanah Blye Continues Strong Play in Net
Blye totaled 13 saves in a pair of wins this week and continued her strong play at home against Eastern Kentucky, posting her fourth clean sheet of the season with 10 saves for the Owls in the 2-0 victory. The Duncan, S.C. native already broke the program record for saves in a game with 16 earlier this season against Liberty. Blye sits third in the ASUN with a .843 save percentage and leads the ASUN with 7.18 stops per game, a figure that ranks seventh nationally. Blye's 79 saves also leads the conference.
Upperclassmen Lead Offense in Pair of Wins
Kendall Higgs and Tianna Rivera both scored Sunday in the 2-1 victory over Bellarmine. Higgs has now scored 13 career goals for the Owls, just two shy of tying the 10th most in program history. Rivera has scored in back-to-back games and scored her sixth career goal and the game-winning header in the 89th minute. Erin Miller and Rivera led the KSU offense in Thursday's 2-0 shutout over the Colonels. Miller notched her fourth career goal and second of the season with a header from a corner kick from Mai Jensen. Rivera scored the fifth goal of her career and first of the season after dribbling past her defender and curling the shot around the defender and goalkeeper.
KSU's Stout Defense in Conference Play
The Kennesaw State defense and Blye have played strong defense in conference action. KSU has given up just eight goals in eight games and has posted three clean sheets against Jacksonville State, Jacksonville and Eastern Kentucky. The eight goals allowed in ASUN action are fourth-best in the conference, only trailing ASUN frontrunners Liberty, Lipscomb and FGCU.
Underclassmen Powering Offense
Underclassmen have accounted for eight of the 16 goals for KSU this season. Freshman Stella Allen leads KSU with three goals and is tied for 15th in the ASUN in goals scored. Sophomore Macie Rainwater has chipped in two goals after scoring seven a season ago. Freshmen Chiara Singarella, Mai Jensen and Aly Bryan each have one goal scored.
A Look at North Florida
UNF's defense has posted four shutouts in its past five games coming into Wednesday's match. UNF's goalkeeper Sofia Miliancano ranks first in the conference and seventh nationally with .424 goals against average and her .880 save percentage ranks second in the ASUN in ninth nationally. Allie Fekany leads the Ospreys' offense with four goals and an assist. Jersi Dadah leads the team with 28 shots and 13 SOG, with two goals on the season.
Next Match
The Owls host Stetson in the regular season finale Sunday at 1 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
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.
