KENNESAW, Ga. – Sporting a potent attack, the Owls secured their first Conference USA win with a 2-1 final over Sam Houston Sunday afternoon.

"This is fantastic because we are one of only a few teams that are undefeated in CUSA play," head coach Chris Cahill said. "For us to start setting the bar for ourselves when everyone else is underestimating us is great because now, we can start to control everything for ourselves."

First Half
The Owls set the pace early with three shots on goal in the first ten minutes.

Eight minutes into the half, Tianna Rivera gave the Owls a 1-0 lead with a header that knocked through the left side of the net. Coming off a sharp run under the ball, midfielder Anabel Orozco booted a perfect cross to a left-to-right moving Rivera who directed the ball to the opposite side of the goal to beat the keeper for the goal.

It's Rivera's second goal of the season and her first since scoring the 8^th minute in the season opener versus Mercer (8/15). The fifth-year senior netted her 12^th goal of her career with 10 of those coming versus conference opponents (ASUN & CUSA).

Just underneath the 20-minute mark, the Bearkats tied it up a 1-1 winning a one-on-one opportunity, beating the keeper to the right side of the goal.

Rivera nearly added another a few minutes later with a pot shot that ricocheted off the right post of the keeper. The forward fired a left-footed shot that bent around the diving grasp of the keeper but were merely inches away from finding the net. The ball bounced off the post and back into play for the Sam Houston defense.

The action continued in the hectic first stanza as Alana Nesbit earned her first goal as an Owl with less than a minute before the horn. The midfielder was trying to get something toward goal, Stella Allen lifted a pass perfectly to the dashing Nesbit toward the right side of the box. After a whiff from the Sam Houston keeper, Nesbit was set up for a layup with an empty net to hand the Owls a one goal lead.

It's the first time the Owls have scored in the final minute of a half, the first time they went into the locker room with a lead and the first time they've scored two goals in the first half. Additionally, Nesbit is the first Owls player outside of Macie Rainwater and Rivera to register a goal on the season.

2nd half
As the Bearkats got their feet underneath them offensively it challenged Bernal in the first 15 minutes as she racked up four saves in that span.

At the 30-minute mark, the Owls had a golden opportunity thanks to a stupendous cross put to the foot of Rainwater, but KSU couldn't corral the goal. Rivera diced her defender to create enough space for the cross, but Rainwater couldn't score off the volley as the ball sailed over the crossbar.

Rain began to come down with 15 minutes left in the game, solidifying the time at home the Owls have battled the weather.

After a handful to threats, the Owls defense was able to lock down a 2-1 victory. 

Spotlights
Charlee Bernal recorded a career high in saves with 11. Her previous career high was eight versus Austin Peay in the ASUN Championship in 2023.

"She's been fantastic and she's still playing though pain," Cahill said. "She's a big reason why were winning and a big reason why our backline is so confident."

Rivera surpassed the 5,000-minute mark, the only Owl on the team to hold that honor.

Junior Brenna Young registered her 1000^th minute as an Owl.

Stella Allen returned to the pitch for the first time in five games. The forward hadn't played since the North Florida match (8/29).

Allen and Orozco both earn their first career assists in the match.
 
Next Up:
It's a lengthy road trip for the Owls beginning with Western Kentucky at 8 p.m. ET/7 pm CT on Thursday.

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