By: Ryan Henry
Saturday, October 17
6 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (5-6-3, 2-2-0 CUSA) vs. #23 Liberty (11-2-1, 4-0-0 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – With losses in back-to-back games for the first time this season, Kennesaw State soccer will face its toughest challenge in conference play, hosting No. 23 Liberty on Saturday night. The contest also serves as the Southern Poly men's soccer's alumni game.
Despite peppering Jax State with 19 shots – eight on frame – the Owls couldn't find the back of the net in last Friday's fixture against the Gamecocks, falling by a score of 1-0. Senior
Anabel Orozco had her six-game streak with a goal contribution snapped.
For the Lady Flames, they climbed into the United Soccer Coaches/IWSOC top 25 poll for the first time this season following their ninth consecutive win. LU is 4-0 in conference play, shutting out FIU, 1-0, on Sunday.
Preseason CUSA Offensive Player of the Year Halle Engle leads the Lady Flames – and ranks top five in the conference – with six goals. Defensively is where LU had made its mark, recording six clean sheets during the nine-game winning streak. Two of the last three CUSA Defensive Player of the Week recipients have been Liberty players (Maddyson Kerley and Avenley Monteith).
The Owls have not won this matchup in their last five tries, most recently taking down the Lady Flames in the shortened Spring 2021 season. The Black and Gold are also still looking for their first win against a ranked opponent since moving up to Division I.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native
Anabel Orozco recorded a goal contribution in six-straight games (9/4-10/1). During that stretch, she had 16 points (7 goals and 2 assists). After being named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15, she received the award again after scoring a brace at Sam Houston (9/26). Orozco currently ranks first in CUSA in shots (47), shots on goal (27), points (18) and goals (8). Among all DI players, she's top 25 in country in SOG and top 50 in shots and goals.
The Bernal Wall
After splitting time as the starting goalkeeper in 2025, fifth year
Charlee Bernal has emerged as the starting goalkeeper. After climbing inside the top five in program history in saves against No. 21 Memphis (8/12), the Roswell, Ga. native hit another milestone against Auburn (8/27). She stopped a season high nine shots to become fourth in team history in saves. On the season, she's third in CUSA in saves (57).
Youth Movement
After 10 departures from last year's squad, KSU has ushered in a youth movement for this season. Ten freshmen and one sophomore transfer means 17 of the 26 players on the roster are underclassmen. Six freshmen have played in over half the contests with
Melissa Mert competing in all 14.
Sian Kellier and
Ashley Tan have made an impact in the starting XI, getting the nod 10+ times each. Four different freshmen have also recorded a goal contribution.
Double Trouble
Julia Balchen and
Lara Kennedy had brilliant individual performances in KSU's 5-0 win over Alabama State (8/23). Both players recorded a brace while Balchen added two assists as well. They became the first pair of Owls to score at least two goals in the same game since Shannon Driscoll and Kim Fincher did it against Alabama A&M nearly a decade ago. Balchen's six points on the afternoon was the most by an Owl in a single game since 2021.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
