By: Jordan Griffitt
Opponent: Georgia State
Date: Thursday, Sept. 7
Site: Fifth Third Bank Stadium; Kennesaw, Ga.
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: Click Here
KENNESAW, Ga. – The I-75 series ramps back up as the Owls will host Georgia State on senior night Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fifth-Third Bank Stadium.
Kennesaw State (1-2-2) is fresh off a 1-1 draw versus Florida, still maintaining an unbeaten record at home with a 1-0-1 record. Kennesaw State was able to hinder a Florida attack that scored eight goals versus Stetson the match prior. Next up, the Georgia State Panthers as they return to play the Owls for the third straight year.
Seven seniors and departing graduates will be recognized 20 minutes prior to kickoff:
No. 2
Morgan Thomas, No. 3
Teresa Wowk, No. 15
Kendall Hoskins,
Elizabeth Rodenroth, No. 24
Madelyn Baucom, No. 29
Agata Giani, No. 33
Tianna Rivera
Series History
Thursday's bout will be the 13
th time these teams have faced off since 2005. The Owls maintain the handsome 6-3-3 all-time lead. The most recent matchup ended in a 2-2 gridlock in Kennesaw. KSU also owns the longest winning streak in the series taking three straight games from 2017-2019.
In-State Dominance
Ever since the programs birth, Kennesaw State has been a force versus teams in the state of Georgia holding a 35-17-4 record. Among Georgia bound teams, KSU's five wins over GSU is good for second most in program history with nine wins versus Mercer at the top spot.
Scouting The Panthers
The most recent result didn't go GSU's way with a narrow 1-0 loss to SEC opponent, Ole Miss. Currently at 3-1-2, they will look to win versus the Owls in two of the last three years. Be on the lookout for the attack as they have massively outperformed teams in shots earning a 98-36 edge and shots on goal tipping GSU's way 43-18. They also hold an eye popping scoring margin with +15 in just six games with their 12-0 win over SC State helping in that category.
Agata's Big-Time Play
Senior
Agata Giani scored the game tying goal versus Florida with fewer than 25 minutes left in the second half to help maintain KSU's unbeaten home record. She was able to clean up after a left to right cross into the box to get across the first goal the Gators have given up all season. It marked Giani's second career goal with the last one coming Oct. 23, 2021 versus Liberty in the regular season finale.
Seniority
Experience has been an attribute that's favored KSU and look no further than defender
Camryn Simmons and midfielder
Teresa Wowk. Both seniors are leading the team in minutes played (non-goalkeeper) with both players coming off the field for only a combined 37 minutes all season. Both players along with graduate transfer
Jade Barkett, recorded full-time games versus Florida. Barkett has played in all but 18 minutes through her four matches.
Handling Pressure
Corner kicks so far have favored the opponents with a 38-6 advantage going to the competition, but the Owls have continued to stand tall. Of those 38 corners, the Owls have only surrendered one goal (Troy). They also held Florida and South Alabama to four combined goals with both teams having scored at least eight goals versus prior opponents this season. The combined record of those two this season is 9-0-2.
Blye's Record Goalkeeping
After acquiring the starting gig five games into the season her freshman year,
Allanah Blye recorded 93 saves for a 85.3 save % last season. After a little over one year, Blye is the current all-time leader in program history in save % (83.9) and saves per game (5.20). The ASUN All-Freshman team member earned her 100th save of her career versus Presbyterian and started the season with back-to-back clean sheets.
Anabel's Amazing Attack
Orozco made an immediate impact when inserted into the game versus South Alabama with a stellar goal to even the score at that point. She left-footed it in from the right corner of the box off of the post off of the throw-in feed from
Naomi Moleka. The last freshman to score for KSU was
Brenna Young versus Stetson Oct. 23, 2022.
Bryan's Brilliance
The sophomore has been a contributor on the attack ever since she stepped foot on campus. She tapped in the first score of the season versus Presbyterian, already tying her goal total all of last year. Of her two career goals, both have been game winners (Presbyterian, Jacksonville State in '22).
Next Match
The Owls will take to the road to face Samford at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.
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.
