By: Jordan Griffitt
Johnson City, Tenn. – Defense was the name of the game in the season opener in Johnson City as the Owls tied with ETSU 0-0 Thursday night.
"It was a long grind," head coach Benji Walton said. "The back line did a good job overall and we had some transition opportunities but just didn't convert."
It was a first half dominated by physicality with both teams combing for 13 total first half fouls. Seven for ETSU and five for the Owls. Although no goals were scored the offense favored the Bucs with three shots, two being on goal while KSU went without a shot in the first 45 minutes.
The fouls would nearly even out as the game went on with ETSU recording 13 fouls and the Owls with 12.
To start the second half of action, freshman
Anabel Orozco broke the shot drought getting one on goal in the 63
rd minute but the game was still held scoreless. ETSU outshot the Owls nine to four in the second half, but the Owls defense stood tall.
The Owls set piece defense was staunch. ETSU racked up 13 corner kicks compared to just one for the Owls yet they did not concede a goal.
Goalkeeper Alannah Blye picked up where she left off last year tallying five saves and recording another clean sheet, the sixth of her career.
KSU now looks ahead to the season home opener versus Presbyterian Aug. 20 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
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