By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (2-5-1), (0-0-0)
at Jacksonville State (2-6-0), (0-0-0)
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. | JSU Soccer Complex
Date: Sept. 18
Time: 2:00 p.m. EST
Live Stats |
Video
KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State begins ASUN play at Jacksonville State on Sunday at the JSU Soccer Complex.
The two teams have only met three times, with the Owls holding a 2-1 lead in the all-time series against the Gamecocks. Facing off for the first time as conference foes last season, JSU outlasted Kennesaw State 1-0 on Sept. 26, 2021.
In ASUN openers, the Owls are 7-6-4. Last year, KSU took down UNA 3-0 in the conference opener.
Stellar Stella Allen
True freshman
Stella Allen has shown a knack for finding the back of the net in her first season at KSU. The Snellville, Ga. native leads the team with three goals on just five shots. The forward scored her third goal in the 2-0 win over Georgia Southern. Allen's three total goals rank tied for second in the ASUN.
A Look at Jacksonville State
The Gamecocks opened the season 0-6 but enter the match on a two-game winning streak. Jacksonville State has been shut out in five of its six losses and just one goal in the other defeat. After scoring just one goal through six games, JSU's offense has combined for seven goals in its last two against Alabama State and Troy. Cynthia Bagozzi leads the Gamecocks with three goals, with all three coming in a hat trick in the 4-1 win over Alabama State.
Common Opponents
KSU and Jacksonville State have shared two common opponents leading into Sunday's conference opener. Kennesaw State dropped a close 2-1 match to South Alabama while JSU lost 4-0 to the Jags. Against Georgia State, the Owls played to a draw, 2-2 and the Gamecocks fell 3-0 to the Panthers.
Blye Impresses in 2-0 Shutout
True freshman goalkeeper
Allanah Blye had a strong week in net this past week totaling 16 saves in two games. At Tennessee, Blye finished with a career-best nine saves. In her first home start, the Duncan, S.C. native finished with seven saves and posted her first career clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Georgia Southern. The 2-0 shutout was KSU's first since a 1-0 win against Bellarmine on Oct. 31, 2021, in the ASUN Conference Tournament.
Here Comes the Rain
Sophomore forward
Macie Rainwater scored goals in two straight games earlier in the year. The forward added a goal at UAB and another goal at home against Georgia State. The Kennesaw native is tied for 10th in the ASUN with two goals. Rainwater led the Owls in scoring as a freshman a season ago, netting seven goals and 14 points to earn a spot on the all-conference freshman team. The forward scored the first KSU hat trick since Shannon Driscoll on Aug. 28, 2016, with three goals in the ASUN Tournament quarterfinal win against Central Arkansas last season.
Jensen and Allen Dazzle in Debuts
Freshmen
Stella Allen and
Mai Jensen both scored in their season debuts this season. Appearing in her first game as an Owl against UAB, Allen connected on her first career goal. Jensen achieved the same feat in the season opener against South Alabama. Jensen was the first true freshman to score in a season opener since Alma Gardarsdottir did so in 2010.
New Faces
KSU features 14 newcomers, 11 of which are freshmen. The Owls brought in a trio of transfers,
Morgan Thomas (Kansas),
Kaylee Hammer (Cincinnati) and
Madelyn Baucom (Virginia Tech). The freshmen class features four players from Georgia, two from Florida, and one each from South Carolina, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington and Argentina. The 11 freshmen are tied for the 11th most in the NCAA this season. Ten of the 11 freshmen have already seen playing time through seven games.
Next Match
The Owls take on conference newcomer Queens in the ASUN home opener on Thursday at 7 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.
