By: Ryan Henry
Follow KSU Soccer - X / Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – After playing Western Kentucky in their CUSA opener, the Owls return home to host FIU (Thursday) and Missouri State (Sunday).
KSU is looking to regain momentum this week after a 2-1 setback against Western Kentucky on Sunday.
FIU and Missouri State both made the Women's College Cup in 2024 – having won the CUSA and Missouri Valley Conference.
Thursday, September 25
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (1-6-3, 0-1-0 CUSA) vs. FIU (4-2-3, 1-0-0 CUSA)
Location: Fifth Third Stadium at Walens Family Field | Kennesaw, Ga.
Sunday, September 28
12 p.m. – Kennesaw State (1-6-3, 0-1-0 CUSA) vs. Missouri State (3-5-2, 0-0-1 CUSA)
Location: Fifth Third Stadium at Walens Family Field | Kennesaw, Ga.
50 for Aly
Senior midfielder and team captain
Aly Bryan made her 50
th career start against Alabama State (9/17). She celebrated the occasion by scoring her first goal of the season – her third overall.
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 the last five matches for the Black and Gold, conceding three goals during that time. The freshman recorded two clean sheets against Tennessee Tech (9/7) and Georgia Southern (9/10). She ranks second in Conference USA in save percentage (0.857) and goals-against-average at 0.79.
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 Panthers
FIU is the reigning CUSA champions with a current overall record of 4-2-3 (1-0-0).
Goalkeeper Valery Restrepo led the conference last season with eight shutouts and was named preseason all-conference. Defender Zora Jackson returns as a second team all-conference selection.
Junior Montelene Dymond is one of the best offensive players in the conference – ranking second in goals at six and third in points (12). Chinatsu Kao is second on the team in points (6) and won CUSA Offensive Player of the Week on Aug. 26.
Scouting the Bears
The Bears enter their first season in CUSA after an unbeaten 2024 season in the Missouri Valley Conference. They currently sit at 3-5-2 after a draw against Liberty. Missouri State has yet to pick up a win at home this season (0-3) but are 3-2-2 on the road.
After winning MVC Player of the Year – breaking the program record for assists in a season (13) – senior Julia Kristensen has been off to a slow start in the new conference (two goals and one assist). Their current points leader is Abby Hansen, who has 10 with a conference-best four assists.
Her younger sister Jane Hansen returns as the reigning MVC Freshman of the Year. Grace O'Keefe (first team) and Maddie Schneiderhahn (third team) received all-conference accolades last year.
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.
