By: Ryan Henry
Thursday, October 22
5 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (5-7-3, 2-3-0 CUSA) at Missouri State (3-7-4, 0-2-3 CUSA)
Location: Springfield, Mo. | Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – As Kennesaw State soccer enters the homestretch of the regular season, it will travel to Springfield on Thursday to take on Missouri State.
The Black and Gold narrowly fell to No. 23 Liberty, 2-0, at home on Saturday. Despite the loss, the Owls still sit in fourth place in the CUSA standings, but the six teams below them are separated by just three points.
MoState is winless through its first five conference games with a record of 0-2-3 (three points). The Bears have picked up results in their last two matches with a pair of 1-1 draws against Middle Tennessee and NM State.
It's a balanced scoring effort for the Bears as they have three players with seven-plus points. Maggie O'Keefe and Lillie Rasmussen are the joint leaders in points at eight with Rasmussen serving as the team's top goal scorer with four. Ellie Neath is the top playmaker at three assists.
The Bears have gone undefeated in their last six matches at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium, with the sole loss coming in their season opener against No. 15 Kansas.
Thursday will be the second all-time meeting between these programs with Missouri State defeating the Owls in Kennesaw last season.
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 has 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 35 in country in SOG and top 50 in 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 recorded a season high nine saves to become fourth in team history in saves. On the season, she's third in CUSA in saves (63).
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. Five freshmen have played in over half the contests with
Melissa Mert competing in all 15.
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.
