By: Ryan Henry
Sunday, November 1
1 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (5-9-3, 2-5-0 CUSA) at Florida International (6-6-4, 3-3-1 CUSA)
Location: Miami, Fla. | Leyva Family Field at FIU Soccer Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State soccer will travel to FIU this Sunday in the hopes of clinching its spot in the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship.
The Owls enter the contest on a five-game losing streak, winning just one game in the month of October. Their last loss was a 3-0 defeat to MTSU at home.
On Friday,
Charlee Bernal,
Ava Bradford, and
Sydni Whitehead were all named to the CUSA All-Academic Team. The three selections for KSU were the most by any team in the conference.
After dropping its first two CUSA fixtures, FIU has gone unbeaten in four out of its last five league matches. A 1-0 win at Missouri State secured the Panthers' spot in the CUSA WSOC Championship.
For her efforts, goalkeeper Valery Restrepo won Conference USA Goalkeeper of the Week. The netminder ranks top four in the league in goals-against-average (1.13) and saves with 64.
Offensively it's a balanced effort for the Panthers as they have 10 unique goal scorers this season. Senior Mariana Barretto leads the pack with 10 points with three of her four goals coming in conference play. CUSA All-Academic Team recipient Maya Maxwell is second on the team with seven points.
Sunday will mark the first meeting between these two squads in Florida. They've played two other times in Kennesaw with each team winning a game.
The Black and Gold currently sit in the final playoff spot for the CUSA WSOC Championship, tied with Missouri State and Sam Houston at six points.
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 SHSU (9/26). Orozco currently ranks first in CUSA in shots (53), shots on goal (29), and goals (8) while ranking third points (18). Among all DI players, she's top 35 in the country in SOG.
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 #21 Memphis (8/12), the Roswell, Ga. native hit another milestone against #23 Liberty (10/17). She stopped six shots en route to becoming one of just four goalkeepers in program history with 200+ career saves. On the season, she has stopped 71 shots, which is third in CUSA.
Texan Takeover
Ava Bradford has experienced a career season in her junior year at The Saw, bagging 4 goals and 3 assists for 11 points. Against Alabama State (8/23), she had a four-point outing, becoming one of six players in CUSA with 2+ assists in a single game this season. Bradford nabbed a goal against Delaware (10/4) off a penalty kick, the first of her collegiate career. She scored again three games later at Missouri State (10/22). She's also excelled in the classroom, being named to the 2026 CUSA All-Academic Team.
Iron Woman
After an impressive 2025 campaign that saw her receive CUSA All-Academic Team and CSC Academic All-District honors,
Sydni Whitehead has once again been an anchor in the midfield for the Owls. She has started in 72 straight games dating back to her freshman year, with 17 starts this season, and ranks first among outfield players with 1494 minutes played. She's logged 90 minutes in all but two contests. Whitehead was once again named to the CUSA All-Academic Team for a second-straight year.
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.
