By: Ryan Henry
Sunday, November 8
11 a.m. (ET) – #7 Kennesaw State (5-9-4, 2-5-1 CUSA) vs. #2 Western Kentucky (11-1-6, 5-1-2 CUSA)
Location: Newark, Del. | Stuart & Suzanne Grant Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – The Conference USA Women's Soccer Championship will kick off this Sunday at 11 a.m. with the No. 7 seed Kennesaw State Owls taking on the No. 2 seed Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.
The Owls secured their playoff spot after drawing FIU, 2-2, on Monday morning.
Anabel Orozco tied a program record with her fourth penalty kick goal this season and McDiarmid's second-half second score solidified the result.
Junior
Aryana Rosenblum made her first start in goal for the first time in over two years, stopping 10 shots in the process. That mark is a career high and the most by an Owl this season.
Orozco, McDiarmid, and freshman
Sian Kellier earned postseason accolades. Orozco took home with CUSA Offensive Player of the Year, CUSA Midfielder of the Year, and First Team All-Conference honors, becoming the first Owl since 2019 to win an individual yearly award. Kellier and McDiarmid were both named to the All-Freshman Team.
The Hilltoppers earned the number two seed in the conference tournament after going 5-1-2 in league play, with its only loss coming to the eventual champion in Liberty. They are riding a three-game winning streak, most recently defeating Middle Tennessee 3-1.
Nine WKU players were represented on the conference's postseason awards. Makenna Egan and Abby Wiedermann were named First Team All-Conference, Danielle Lewin and Mia Reddick earned second team honors, and Georgia Liapis, Alyvia Walls, and Maggie Bellair made it on the third team. The Hilltoppers tied KSU with two all-freshman selections in Tyler Roth and Reagan Thompson.
The Black and Gold will be playing in the postseason for the first time since their PK loss to Austin Peay in the 2023 ASUN First Round. The Owls are seeing their first playoff win in five years.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Anabel Orozco picked up some hardware, earning CUSA Offensive Player of the Year, CUSA Midfielder of the Year, and First Team All-Conference honors. The Fayetteville native has had a breakout season with 9 goals and 2 assists for 20 points. The year was highlighted by a six-game stretch (9/4-10/1) where she had a goal contribution in each game. Orozco is the first Owl to receive a yearly conference award since 2019.
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 73 straight games dating back to her freshman year, with 18 starts this season, and ranks first among outfield players with 1584 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.
Youth Movement
With 10 players departing from last year's squad, KSU has ushered a youth movement for this season. Ten freshmen and one sophomore transfer means 17 of the 26 players on the roster are underclassmen.
Sian Kellier and
Aaliyah McDiarmid in particular have shined, earning CUSA All-Freshman Team Honors. They, alongside fellow freshmen
Melissa Mert and
Ashley Tan have appeared in 14+ contests.
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.
