By: Ryan Henry
Sunday, September 13
6 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (3-3-2) vs. West Georgia (0-5-1)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Following its three-game unbeaten road trip, Kennesaw State soccer returns home to host in-state rival, West Georgia, in a Sunday night fixture. The contest also serves as the program's Alumni Game, recognizing those who have paved the way the last 25 years.
The Black and Gold are coming off a 2-1 victory over Presbyterian in South Carolina. The player of the match was
Anabel Orozco, who scored a brace in exactly 1:57 of action. The senior midfielder has four goal contributions in the last two games, giving her seven points during that stretch. She currently leads CUSA in shots (27), shots on goal (16), and is second in points (nine).
On the other side, West Georgia enters the contest winless at a 0-5-1 mark. The Wolverines fell to fellow Georgia school, Georgia State, 4-1 at home on Thursday night.
Sunday will be the first time in over 20 years these two squads will face off against one another. The Owls are 2-0 all time in the series with a +13 goal differential.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native
Anabel Orozco has been on fire for the Owls, tallying three goals and an assist in KSU's two most recent contests. Against Troy (9/4), both her goal contributions helped the Owls get a point on the road. She also had eight shots, which is the most by any CUSA player in a single match this season. She recorded a brace in two minutes at Presbyterian (9/10) to keep the Black and Gold's unbeaten streak alive. Orozco currently ranks first in CUSA in shots (27), shots on goal (16) and second in points (9).
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 fifth 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 485 minutes, which is more than her three previous seasons combined.
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 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 give her 162 all time and become fourth in team history in saves. On the season, she's top four in CUSA in save percentage (.762) and saves (32).
Impenetrable Fortess
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.
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.
