By: Ryan Henry
Sunday, October 25
3 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (5-8-3, 2-4-0 CUSA) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-5-4, 1-3-2 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State soccer will return to The Nest for its final home match of the 2026 regular season, hosting Middle Tennessee on Sunday. The contest also serves as the program's Senior Day.
Five seniors will be recognized for their achievements and accomplishments to KSU soccer. They are
Lara Kennedy,
Paris McCulloch,
Anabel Orozco,
Sydni Whitehead, and
Symone Thomas. Orozco this year has scored the most goals by an Owl since 2012 while McCulloch and Whitehead are the only outfield players to start every game. Kennedy and Thomas have smashed their career bests in games started and minutes played.
The Black and Gold lost at Missouri State by a score of 2-1. The game was defined by its contrasting flows between both halves. All three goals were scored in the first 45 minutes of action while there were zero shots on target by either team in the second half.
Middle Tennessee is 8-5-4 on the season, with just a 1-3-2 mark in conference. In its last match, MTSU got shut out by New Mexico State, 1-0, in Murfreesboro.
The Blue Raiders are one of the best offensive teams in CUSA, ranking second in goals (26), shots (236), and shots on goal (121). They have the conference's joint top goal scorer in Ania Denham, who is tied with Orozco and WKU's Makenna Egan with eight scores. Hannah Murphy has five goals herself, making MTSU the only CUSA team this season with multiple players who have five-plus goals. It's been a goalkeeping tandem as both Demi Gronauer and Ella Sellers have made at least seven starts each.
KSU head coach
Chris Cahill is very familiar with MTSU, serving as an assistant coach with the Blue Raiders from 2012-2022 before joining the Owls.
The Black and Gold are 0-3 all-time against the Blue Raiders, most recently falling to them in the 2025 regular season finale.
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 (50), shots on goal (27), and goals (8) while ranking second in points at 18. Among all DI players, she's top 50 in the country in SOG 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 recorded a season high nine saves to become fourth in team history in saves. On the season, she's third in CUSA in saves (65).
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 16.
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.
