By: Ryan Henry
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State women's soccer looks to secure it first Conference USA win at UTEP this Saturday.
The Owls fell to new CUSA addition, Missouri State, on Sunday by a score of 3-1.
Brenna Young recorded her first goal of the season.
In last year's affair, KSU and UTEP drew 1-1 at Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium.
Saturday, October 4
9 p.m. – Kennesaw State (1-8-3, 0-3-0 CUSA) vs. UTEP (3-7-2, 0-2-1 CUSA)
Location: University Field | El Paso, Texas
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 900 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.
Shutdown Sara
Sara Hill has started seven of the last eight matches for the Black and Gold, conceding one or fewer goals five times. The freshman recorded two clean sheets against Tennessee Tech (9/7) and Georgia Southern (9/10). She ranks fourth in Conference USA in save percentage (0.800) and goals-against-average at 1.091.
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 Miners
UTEP enters Saturday's contest 3-7-2, going winless in their first three conference matches.
Their offense – which ranks second in CUSA in shots (158) and fourth in shots-on-goal (64) – is led by Ana Quintero. The Panama native ranks 14
th in the entire country in shots at 44 and has four goals on the season.
The defense returns Ashlyn Neireiter who received Preseason All-CUSA honors. The junior has one goal and was named CUSA Defender on the Week back on Sept. 2. Savanah Finley has started every game in net. The freshman won CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 9 with four shutouts on the season.
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.
