By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (4-6-2), (2-1-1)
at North Alabama (3-6-5), (0-4-2)
Location: Florence, Ala. | Bill Jones Athletic Complex
Date: Oct. 6
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State travels to Florence, Ala. to face off against the North Alabama Lions on Thursday at 8 p.m.
KSU and UNA have met seven times in the all-time series, with the Owls owning a 5-2 advantage. Kennesaw State has won four straight in the series, outscoring the Lions 8-1 during the stretch.
The Owls are coming off a 1-0 week after shutting out Jacksonville on the road 1-0. KSU posted its third shutout of the season and
Hayley Dekker scored her first career goal in the win.
North Alabama went 0-2 last week on the road, with losses at Queens and Liberty. The Lions are searching for their first win since Sept. 4 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
KSU's Stout Defense in Conference Play
The Kennesaw State defense and freshman goalkeeper
Allanah Blye have gotten off to a strong start in conference play through four games. KSU has only given up three goals and has posted two shutouts against Jacksonville State and Jacksonville. The three goals allowed in ASUN action rank third in the conference, only trailing Liberty and Lipscomb with two.
Hayley Dekker Nets First Career Goal
Dekker has been a defensive stalwart for the Owls all season but was an offensive difference maker on Sunday at Jacksonville. The defender scored her first career goal and the game-winner in the 15th minute as the Owls knocked off the Dolphins 1-0 on the road. Dekker and the KSU defense limited Jacksonville to just seven shots and three shots-on-goal, both season-low figures for Kennesaw State.
Blye Posts Third Shutout of Season
Blye continued her strong play at Jacksonville on Sunday, posting her third shutout of the season with three saves for the Owls in the 1-0 victory. The goalkeeper has three shutouts in just seven starts this season. She finished with a program-best 16 saves in a 2-0 loss to Liberty. The 16 saves broke the previous program record of 13 set by Ashley Zambetti at Georgia back on Sept. 111, 2016. The true freshman has posted a 3-2-1 record at goalkeeper this season. Since earning her first start at Presbyterian, Blye posted back-to-back shutouts against Georgia Southern and Jacksonville State. Blye's back-to-back shutouts for the Owls are the first since
Dylan Pixton had two straight shutouts in the spring of the 2021 ASUN Conference Tournament. Blye has posted a .843 save percentage, good for third in the ASUN. The Duncan, S.C. native ranks eighth nationally, averaging 6.86 stops per game.
Underclassmen Powering Offense
Underclassmen have scored eight of the 12 goals for KSU this season. Freshman
Stella Allen leads KSU with three goals and is tied for 10th 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. Singarella leads the Owls with 21 shots taken and 11 shots-on-goal.
A Look at UNA
UNA's goalkeeper, Peyton Yates leads the ASUN in shutouts with seven and ranks seventh nationally in the category. Yates also leads the ASUN in total saves with 60 on the season. Izzi Gurney and Alice Bussey lead the Lions office with four goals each. Bussey ranks fourth in the conference with two game-winning goals as well. Kate Wiseman is also a big part of the North Alabama offensive attack, as she leads the team with four assists, good for fourth in the ASUN.
Next Match
The Owls travel to Central Arkansas to take on the Sugar Bears on Sunday 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.
