By: Zac Pike
Kennesaw State (1-3-1), (0-0-0)
vs. Georgia (3-2-0), (0-0-0)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Third Fifth Bank Stadium
Date: Sept. 4
Time: 6:00 p.m. EST
Live Stats |
Video
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's soccer team hosts the in-state Georgia Bulldogs Sunday at 6 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
The Owls have faced off against the Bulldogs four times, holding a 1-3 record in the series. KSU has hosted Georgia just once, winning 2-1 on Sept. 9, 2018.
The two programs last met on Feb. 25, 2021, as UGA outlasted KSU 2-1 in Athens, Ga.
With a win on Sunday, head coach
Benji Walton would earn his 60th win at Kennesaw State.
Fans are encouraged to wear their best KSU gear for College Colors Day. The fans wearing the craziest Kennesaw State apparel will be recognized on the field at halftime and a fan vote will determine the winner. The winner will win a KSU bookstore gift card.
Autographs will also be available following the game for fans to come down to the field.
Freshmen Phenoms
Stella Allen,
Chiara Singarella,
Mai Jensen and
Allanah Blye have all made an impact for the Owls early this season. In just three appearances, Allen is tied for the lead on the team with two goals on just three shots. Singarella leads the team in shots with 12 and added an assist and the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Presbyterian on Thursday. Jensen scored in her season debut against South Alabama. The trio has combined for over half of the scoring for KSU this season. Blye earned her first career start at goalkeeper at Presbyterian, posting five saves and allowing just one goal in the victory.
When it Rains it Pours
Sophomore forward
Macie Rainwater scored in two straight games against UAB and Georgia State. The Kennesaw native ranks fourth in the ASUN with two goals. The forward 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 also 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 a season ago.
Miller Time
Erin Miller notched her first goal of 2022 and the third of her career on a header from a corner kick on Sunday against Georgia State. Playing as both forward and defender this season, the Marietta native has bolstered both the offensive and defensive attack. Miller also ranks first on the KSU squad in minutes, playing in 443 out of 450 minutes.
Jensen and Allen Dazzle in Debuts
Freshmen
Stella Allen and
Mai Jensen have 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 four games.
International Talent Show
The Owls have several players with international experience on the squad this season. Freshman
Chiara Singarella plays for the Argentina National Team in both soccer and handball. Singarella also played for the Independiente Rivadavia team, winning three-straight championships in the Primera B Nacional league in Argentina. Sophomore
Teresa Wowk played with the Peru National Team in the 2022 Copa America Femenina Tournament in July. Junior
Agata Giani is from Milan, Italy and has experience playing for FC Internazionale U19, CFB Bocconi and Polisportiva Segrate.
Next Match
The Owls travel to Knoxville, Tenn. to face another SEC opponent, the Tennessee Volunteers Thursday at 6:30 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.
