KENNESAW, Ga. - Kennesaw State dropped a toe-to-toe square down at home versus Mercer 2-1 Thursday night in the season opener after allowing a goal in the final minutes. 

"I'm obviously disappointed with the loss but what I loved was that our team fought for each other for all 90 minutes," Coach Chris Cahill said. "I'd like to see us defend a little better next time out versus Eastern Washington on Sunday." 

First Half
 
The Owls wasted no time getting into their attacking formation as they manufactured several opportunities in the beginning minutes of the game.
 
A booming corner kick from Naomi Moleka started the fire for the Owls attack at the seven-minute mark. After an initial header from Jade Barkett, the ball deflected numerous times before finding the foot of Tianna Rivera. Rivera laced a rocket to the back of the net nabbing the first goal of the 2024 season for KSU.
 
It's Rivera's first goal against a non-conference opponent since 9/19/21 versus Wofford and her first career goal during the first game of the season. It took the Owls eight minutes to find the back of the net while last year's squad took 135.5 minutes to earn their first goal of the season.
 
28 minutes in, Mercer equalized with a header that got past the KSU keeper toward the left post.
 
Second Half

Coming out of the locker room, Mercer held possession for the majority of the stanza, accumulating numerous chances in the attack. 

Charlee Bernal handled a fireball that was directed her way to save a would-be goal for the Bear attack. Mercer gained momentum off the throw in from the left sideline and managed to play the ball through within 15 feet of the goal for the shot.

In the final five minutes, Mercer played a right to left swinging ball into the KSU box, which was swiftly collected and deposited into the net, taking a 2-1 Mercer lead.
 
Spotlights
Freshman Layla Kerr earned her first start dawning the Black and Gold. Alana Nesbit also collected her first start as an Owl in her second year at Kennesaw.

Tianna Rivera collected her 11th goal of her career and inched toward 100 career shots standing at 99 after the match
 
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