MACON, Ga. – The Kennesaw State and Mercer women's soccer teams combined for five second-half goals as the Owls fell to the Bears, 3-2.
Alana Nesbit and
Anabel Orozco each scored their first goals of the season.
Follow KSU Soccer - X / Instagram
Coach Chris Cahill's Remarks:
"It was not the result we deserved but Mercer is an opportunistic team," Cahill said. "I'm glad we got the goal at the end of the match. We've grown as a team after the adverse start we had. I'm hoping we come out angry on Sunday."
First Half
Both teams were scoreless through the first 45 minutes but the opportunities were plenty.
Right off the kickoff, Orozco took a strike from outside the box but her shot was saved.
The Bears took control afterwards, taking six shots in the next 20 minutes. Their best chance came in the 31
st minute. Morganne Eikelbarner headed a cross but
Charlee Bernal made the acrobatic save to keep the game tied.
KSU and Mercer traded chances until the end of half but the score remained 0-0.
Second Half
The fireworks went off in the second with five goals scored in the final 30 minutes.
The Bears were the first to break the 0-0 draw, They won the ball in the midfield and dumped it off to Morgan Eikelbarner. She turned left and dribbled into the box, scoring on the far-side post.
KSU equalized thanks to the efforts of Orozco. After her previous attempts were unsuccessful, the junior took the ball away from Mercer in its defensive third. She then whipped a shot while falling away, sinking it in the top left corner.
The tie held until the 83
rd minute when Mercer scored twice in a minute. The first came from the team's leading scorer Payton Nutzman who maneuvered past multiple Owls and shot it in between Bernal's legs. Sydney Farr made the eventually game-winner moments later.
Nesbit brought the Owls back within one in the 90
th minute. The ball came back to her after she took a corner. She played it in the box and lifted it past the Mercer goalkeeper.
Next Up:
KSU will return to Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium for a three-match homestand starting with Tennessee Tech. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
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. Joining The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
