By: Ryan Henry
Thursday, August 27
7 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (2-2-0) vs. Auburn (2-0-1)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State soccer returns to the Peach State on Thursday for a Power Four test versus Auburn. The Black and Gold are coming off a dominant 5-0 victory over Alabama State to move back to .500 on the season.
Against the Hornets,
Julia Balchen and
Lara Kennedy became the first pair of Owls to score two-plus goals in the same game since 2016. Balchen added two assists to give her six points on the afternoon. Junior
Ava Bradford also had a multi-point game, tallying a goal and two assists.
For the Tigers, they enter the contest unbeaten at 2-0-1, having most recently beat Southern Illinois. Auburn is one of 19 teams in the country to have not conceded a single goal this season.
Thursday night's fixture marks the second straight season the Owls played the Tigers as these teams faced off in Auburn last year. Head coach
Chris Cahill served on Auburn's coaching staff from 2009-2011.
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.
Livin' Like Larry
One of the nicest surprises for the Owls this season has been the emergence of senior
Lara Kennedy. After a strong spring, her production has translated, emerging as the team's top goal scorer this fall. She currently sits second in all of CUSA with three goals, highlighted by her brace against Alabama State (8/23). She's started in every contest, playing a total of 242 minutes, which is more than her three previous seasons combined.
The Bernal Wall
After splitting time as the starting goalkeeper in 2025, fifth year
Charlee Bernal has emerged as the starting goalkeeper. Against No. 21 Memphis (8/12), she recorded eight saves - including her 144th career save - to climb to fifth all time in program history for saves. After shutting out the No. 21 Tigers in the second half, she kept a clean sheet for the full 90 minutes against Stetson (8/16). In the early season, she's top four in the conference in goals against average (0.82) and save percentage (.824).
Impenetrable Fortress
In the Owls' game against Stetson (8/16), their defense shut down the Hatters, conceding zero shots on target for the entire contest. It was the first time KSU had done that to an opponent since its contest against Alabama State back on Aug. 28, 2016. The backline trio of
Aubrey Diskin,
Paris McCulloch, and
Ashley Tan played all 90 minutes, while
Maci Stancil and
Symone Thomas logged 70+ minutes. It's the first clean sheet for the Owls this season.
Iron Woman
Sydni Whitehead hit the ground running in 2025 after transferring from Bellarmine. The defensive midfielder was one of two players last season to start every contest and finished second in minutes played at 1350. In the process, she received CUSA All-Academic Team and CSC Academic All-District honors. This year she is the Owls most experienced outfield player, having started in all 59 matches she's competed in. She's expected to lead a young Owls squad from the "6" position.
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.
