KENNESAW, Ga. – An electric back-and-forth match opened up CUSA play for Kennesaw State as they tied with UTEP 1-1 Thursday night at Fifth Third Stadium.

With the result, the soccer team became the first Kennesaw State sport to compete in a Conference USA event.

First Half
The Owls trotted out another variation of their starting lineup as freshmen Delaney Edwards (D) and Caroline Wehr (GK) both earned starts. It's their sixth different starting lineup this season along with the third different goalkeeper. 

20 minutes into the half, the Owls scratched across the first goal of the game with a Macie Rainwater line shot off the rebound. The chance was manufactured by a corner kick from Naomi Moleka as she bent a left-to-right pass onto the head of Aly Bryan. Bryan immediately directed the ball off the crossbar, leaving the defense vulnerable for Rainwater to clean up on the weak side to go up 1-0.

Rainwater has tallied the final three goals of the season for KSU and owns three of the team's four scores. The score broke a UTEP streak of 23 straight corner kicks without allowing a goal. 

As the clock drained, UTEP answered with a score in the final two minutes of the first half. They nearly added another in the final 30 seconds but were denied thanks to a quick reaction dive from Wehr.

Second Half
The first ten minutes of the second saga were blistering for both sides. The physicality was evident in the final 45 minutes as three yellow cards were distributed throughout the half.

At the 76-minute mark, Wehr made an astonishing save to keep the game tied at 1-1. A turnover from the Owls at midfield led to a miraculous shot from a UTEP midfielder as she nearly scored from 50 feet away. The right footed pooch caused Wehr to dive back across her body as she deflected it with her right hand to snub the Miners of a goal.

Although the Miners controlled a large portion of the second half, The Owls were able to threaten in the final ten minutes but couldn't capture a goal resulting in a 1-1 draw. 

Spotlights
Freshmen Edwards and Wehr both earned their first career collegiate starts

Wehr ended with six saves, tallying 10 on her young career

Freshman Ava Bradford checked in for the first time this season

KSU scored their first goal in over a month, dating back to Eastern Washington (8/18)

Rainwater racked up her 15^th career goal with the fist half score

Next Up:
The Owls be back at it versus Jackson State Sunday at noon at Fifth Third Stadium.

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