By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (4-7-2), (2-2-1)
at Central Arkansas (4-7-3), (2-3-2)
Location: Conway, Ark. | Bill Stephens Track/Soccer Complex
Date: Oct. 9
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State continues its road swing at Central Arkansas Sunday at 2 p.m. KSU and Central Arkansas have met just twice on the pitch, with both meetings coming down to the wire. The Owls took both matches 4-3 in overtime, including a win in the ASUN Conference Quarterfinals.
Sophomore
Macie Rainwater was particularly successful against the Sugar Bears. The Kennesaw, Ga. native scored four goals in the two meetings and notched a hat trick in the conference quarterfinals. Rainwater was the first KSU player with a hat trick since Shannon Driscoll achieved the feat against Alabama A&M on Aug. 28, 2016.
The Owls suffered a 3-0 setback at North Alabama Thursday night, falling to 2-2-1 in conference play. Central Arkansas enters the match after playing Jacksonville State and battling to a 2-2 draw Thursday.
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. KSU has given up six goals in five games and has posted two shutouts against Jacksonville State and Jacksonville.
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 last 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 eight starts this season. Blye 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 3-3-1 record as 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. She has posted a .824 save percentage, good for fourth in the ASUN and her 56 saves rank third in the conference. The Duncan, S.C. native ranks sixth nationally, averaging 7.00 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 Central Arkansas
The UCA offensive attack is led by Sydney Brough, Abby Gibson, Taylor Lassiter and Taylor Webb, who are all tied for the team lead with two goals each. The Sugar Bears' goalkeepers average 7.64 stops per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. UCA's keepers also boast a .817 save percentage, which is the highest mark in the ASUN. Central Arkansas ranks near the bottom of the ASUN in shot accuracy (11th), shots per game (11th) and shots-on-goal per game (12th).
Next Match
The Owls return home to face Eastern Kentucky Thursday at 7 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.
