Opponent: Austin Peay Governors
Date: Thursday, Oct. 12
Site: Morgan Bros. Soccer Field; Clarksville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 6 PM CT
| 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: Click Here
Opponent: Lipscomb Bisons
Date: Sunday, Oct. 15
Site: Lipscomb Soccer Complex;
Nashville, Tenn.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. CT | 2 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: Click Here
KENNESAW, Ga. – A Tennessee road trip stands in front of the Owls as they will battle Austin Peay Thursday evening and Lipscomb Sunday afternoon.
Kennesaw State now stands at a 3-7-5 record while 2-4-2 in the ASUN. The Owls have tightened up the defense allowing just one goal over 270 minutes going 2-0-1 in that stretch. The Owls are only one spot below the cutoff for the ASUN Championship as they are currently ninth with eight points. Just above them in eighth place is North Florida with nine points.
Series History
Although the Governors were in the ASUN last year, the last time these two teams faced each other was in 2015. The all-time series is split at one a piece with Kennesaw State taking the first match in 2014 1-0.
It's a dead heat all-time versus the Bisons as the series stands at 11-11-1 dating all the way back to 2005. The last eight matches have gone Lipscomb's way, but the Owls have the two highest scoring totals, scoring seven goals in two matches. An Owls win would be the first since 2017 and the second under coach Benji Walton.
Scouting
Austin Peay has had a bounce back run in the ASUN as they stand at 3-4-1 in the conference after only two wins in non-conference action. They have also defended Clarksville with pride sporting a 4-2 record at home.
The Bisons have steamrolled their way through the ASUN thus far with an undefeated 7-0-1 record. They sit at 14-4-1 while only allowing one goal in conference play. That goal was conceded last time out versus defending champion FGCU in a 1-1 tie. Lipscomb will display the 2022 ASUN Player of the Year and current goals leader with Kelli Beiler. She has 25 points to go along with 12 goals which ranks eighth in the nation. They face Queens Thursday night before the dual with KSU.
Atlantic Sun Successes
ASUN play has been kind to the Owls over the last few seasons earning at least four wins versus conference opponents each year since 2018. Dating back to 2005, the black and gold have accrued a 97-53-15 record versus the ASUN. Head coach Benji Walton has been responsible for a 33-13-7 record in his eight seasons.
Barkett's Bomb
Jade Barkett blasted the lone goal versus North Florida to take the lead Sunday in the 68th minute. It not only was the first of her KSU career but the first of her entire collegiate career. The defender spent several years at UCF prior to the Owls.
The Senior Streak
Tianna Rivera has always been a player who scores in bunches late in the season and this year is no different. She has scored two goals in the last four games to lead the Owls, with her latest coming as the game winner versus Stetson. In the Eastern Kentucky match, she earned her 20th point as an Owl becoming the lone player on the squad with the feat. Fellow senior Kendall Hoskins also earned her first career assist kicking in the cross to Rivera during that match. Hoskins scored her first career goal in the loss to FGCU with a flick over the keeper's head.
Racking Up the Minutes
The newest member to the 2,000-career minute club was Allanah Blye as she surpassed the mark versus Jacksonville last Thursday night. Macie Rainwater joined the 3,000-career minute club to link up with Camry Simmons and Rivera for the feat.
Next Match
It's a bit of the break for the Owls before they head back out of town to face Queens on Saturday, Oct. 21.
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.
