By: Ryan Henry
Thursday, September 17
6 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (3-3-2) at North Florida (2-2-3)
Location: Jacksonville, Fla. | Hodges Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State soccer will wrap its non-conference slate this Thursday as the Owls travel to the Sunshine State to face former ASUN rival, North Florida.
The Black and Gold enter this contest on a four-game unbeaten streak. In their last match against West Georgia, senior
Anabel Orozco scored an equalizer in the 89
th minute.
For her efforts against the Wolves and Presbyterian, Orozco was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week. The Fayetteville native bagged three goals over the last two games. For the season, she leads the conference in shots on goal and shots while ranking second in points. Her SOG mark is sixth in the entire country while she's top 25 in total shots.
The Ospreys are 2-2-3, most recently losing to now ranked UCF, 1-0, in Orlando. Fifth year Paige McSwigan leads the ASUN in goals with six.
This is 28
th matchup between these teams all time with KSU leading the series 14-6-7. The last five matches between these teams have resulted in a tie.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native
Anabel Orozco has been on fire for the Owls, tallying foul goals and an assist in KSU's three most recent contests. This past week, she recorded a two-minute brace in the Owls' win at Presbyterian (9/10). Against in-state rival West Georgia (9/13), she scored an equalizer in the 89th minute to keep KSU's unbeaten streak alive. For her efforts, she was named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week. Orozco currently ranks first in CUSA in shots (32), shots on goal (20) and second in points (11). Her shots on goal mark is sixth in the entire country and her 32 shots is top 25.
Livin' like Larry
One of the nicest surprises for the Owls has been the emergence of senior
Lara Kennedy. After a strong spring, her production has translated as she is second on the team in points. She recorded a brace against Alabama State (8/23) and assisted on the equalizer versus UWG (9/13). She's started in eight contests and has already played more minutes 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. 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 (32) and fifth in GAA (1.27).
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.
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 was 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.
