By: Jordan Griffitt
Opponent: Queens Royals
Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Site: Queens Sports Complex | Charlotte, N.C.
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: Click Here
KENNESAW, Ga. – The final regular season game is upon the Owls as they will face the Queens Royals with postseason hopes still alive.
The Owls will wrap up their 19
th regular D-I season in program history on Saturday. This game comes with a possibility of making the Atlantic Sun Championship as they look to land a top eight spot in the conference standings.
Series History
It's a brief history versus the Royals with a 0-0-1 all-time record. The most recent match occurred last season in Kennesaw with a 1-1 draw. The Owls tied up the game through an own-goal from the Royals.
Scouting
Queens has improved from a three-win season last year now sporting a 4-5-7 record in 2023. They currently sit tied for sixth in the Atlantic Sun with 12 points along with Austin Peay. Everyone has gotten in on the fun for Queens as they have had 10 separate goal scorers with three players tied for the team with two scored a piece. Queens showcases a perfect split of goals scored per match and goals allowed with both sitting at .88 with 14 total each.
Shutouts Galore
The Owl defense has been a no-fly zone all season long for the opposing attack shutting out seven opponents this season. The total has tied for the 9
th most in program history and marked the third time in KSU history there has been a season with seven shutouts. They also sit tied for 5
th in the Atlantic Sun for goals allowed per game at 1.47.
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 97-54-16 record versus the ASUN. Head coach Benji Walton has been responsible for a 33-14-8 record in his eight seasons.
Barkett's Bomb
Jade Barkett blasted the lone goal versus North Florida to take the lead Sunday in the 68
th minute. It not only was the first of her KSU career but the first of her 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 20
th 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
Rivera recently shattered the 4,000 mark becoming the lone Owl on the team to do so. 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.
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.
