KENNESAW, Ga. – A two goal second half for Eastern Kentucky was enough to fend off the Owls 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

"I think we played well because we got the lead but credit to EKU I thought they really pressed hard to get back into it," coach Benji Walton said. "I just told the players that the onus is on us and we had plenty of opportunities to score to get back into this one." 
 
In the first home day game of the year, Kennesaw State drops to 1-6-4 with EKU boosting to 3-6-2.
 
The starting lineup had some new faces with Juliete Barbush and Madelyn Baucom both receiving their first starts of the year; Baucom getting her first as an Owl.
 
There was speedy pressure from the Kennesaw State attack as Tianna Rivera tossed in a left-footed cross two minutes into the match. The ball was deflected off the head of an EKU defender.
 
The KSU goal all started with a shot from inside the box from Anabel Orozco that deflected off the crossbar. Kendall Hoskins received the ball in the right corner off the bounce and crossed it back into a perfect header from Rivera that found the top right corner of the net. The goal came 17 minutes into the first half.
 
It was Rivera's first goal of the season along with Hoskins' first assist of her career. The goal broke a five-game goal drought for the Owls.
 
A goal saving stop was made by Allanah Blye with 11 minutes left in the first from EKU's Lydia Jervier in a near one-on-one opportunity.
 
EKU retaliated shortly afterward with a weak side goal scored by Maia Ransom in the 37^th minute to even it up at 1-1.
 
The second half opened with a KSU threat with Rivera skimming one just to the left of the post less than two minutes in.
 
At the 52-minute mark, EKU's Chiara Premoli scored after a cross was entered via the free kick from Kaitlyn Rowlett.
 
Gretta Gunn added another goal to the tally after earning a break away and zipping it past the diving reach of Blye in the left corner.

Next Match
It's time to take to the road again as they face the defending ASUN Champions in FGCU Thursday Sept. 28.
 
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.