By: Ryan Henry
Friday, October 9
4 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (5-5-3, 2-1-0 CUSA) at Jax State (3-7-3, 0-2-1 CUSA)
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. | Jax State Soccer Complex
Follow KSU Soccer - X / Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State soccer will take the trip across state lines to square off against Jax State this Friday afternoon. The contest, which was originally scheduled for Saturday night, was pushed up to Friday due to the impending threat of Tropical Strom Isaias.
The Owls are coming off a tough 5-1 defeat against Delaware for their first league loss of the 2026 season.
Ava Bradford scored her first career penalty kick for the lone score. Two-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week
Anabel Orozco missed the contest due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation.
On the other side, Jax State is 3-7-3 on the season, going winless in its first three CUSA matches. Its last contest saw JSU take an early 1-0 lead at FIU, but the Panthers scored a goal in each half to take the 2-1 victory.
The Gamecocks are led by Emma Reeder, whose seven goals on the season only trail Orozco and MTSU's Ania Denham in CUSA. They also have the conference's joint assists leader in Sunny Ferren. Amelia Jacobs and Rebecca Sierra-Burciaga each have seven-plus points on the season as well.
Woodstock native Camdyn Magrosky has taken over goalkeeping duties, starting in the last six contests for Jax State. The junior has a 2-3-1 record, sporting a 1.28 goals-against-average and .784 save percentage.
The Black and Gold lead the all-time series 4-2 with each team defending their turf with a win the last two seasons.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native
Anabel Orozco has recorded a goal contribution in six-straight games. During this 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 (41), shots on goal (24), points (18) and goals (8). Among all DI players, she's top 35 in country in shots, points 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 (55).
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 13.
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.
