By: Jaylon Mitchell
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State soccer returns home on Saturday for Senior Day against Jax State.
The Owls went 0-2 last week, falling to top-seeded Liberty, 2-1, and Delaware.
Addison Neel scored her first collegiate goal against the Lady Flames.
The Black and Gold will celebrate 11 seniors before the match:
Mackenzie Anuska,
Stella Allen,
Charlee Bernal,
Aly Bryan,
Mai Jensen,
Naomi Moleka,
Addison Neel,
Alana Nesbit,
Raelyn Prince,
Rebecca Womer and
Brenna Young.
Saturday, October 18
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (1-10-4, 0-5-1 CUSA) vs. Jax State (6-7-3, 0-5-1 CUSA)
Location: Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium
Back-to-Back Brenna
Brenna Young started the scoring for KSU with her 32
nd minute goal against UTEP (10/4). With that goal and her score against Missouri State (9/28), the senior tallied goals in back-to-back games after not tallying a goal since the 2022 season. She has recorded five points in three of the last four matches.
A Perfect 50 for 50
Junior midfielder
Sydni Whitehead made her 50
th career start against Missouri State (9/28). The match also marked her 50
th career game played. The Bellarmine transfer started 38 times with the Knights her first two years and has started every match for the Black and Gold this year. Whitehead has played 1100 minutes with a goal.
History at Fifth Third Stadium
The Black and Gold erupted for seven goals in their match against Alabama State (9/17) – the most since 2016.
Rebecca Womer had a brace while
Ava Bradford,
Caroline Shaw and
Sydni Whitehead all scored for the first time as an Owl.
Aly Bryan tallied a goal in her 50
th start with the program and
Raelyn Prince scored off a free kick.
New Name, Same Feel
On August 19, Kennesaw State announced that the field at Fifth Third Stadium, home of the Owls' football, soccer and lacrosse programs, will be named Walens Family Field in recognition of a transformative $4 million philanthropic gift from Dave and Donna Walens.
CUSA Preseason Poll
Kennesaw State was picked to finish eighth in the Conference USA coaches' preseason poll, tallying 47 total points. The Black and Gold finished seventh in their inaugural CUSA season with a conference record of 2-4-3. The conference expanded to 12 teams following the additions of Missouri State and Delaware, who were predicting to finish third and seventh respectively. Liberty tops the poll with 119 points and nine first-place votes.
Scouting the Gamecocks
Jax State – also in their second year in Conference USA – is 6-7-3 with a 0-5-1 record in conference play.
Led by forwards Amelia Jacobs, Louise Featherstone and Emma Reeder, the trio have combined for 36 points and 85 shots on the season. The Gamecocks are known for their aggressive style, ranking third in the conference in shots attempted.
Ella Holmberg is third in CUSA in goals-against-average at 1.035 and fourth in save percentage save percentage (0.800).
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
