By: Ryan Henry
Saturday, September 26
8 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (3-4-3, 0-0-0 CUSA) at Sam Houston (4-2-3, 0-0-0 CUSA)
Location: Huntsville, Texas | Pritchett Field
Follow KSU Soccer - X / Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Conference season is upon us as Kennesaw State soccer begins CUSA play this Saturday, traveling to Sam Houston to face the Bearkats.
The Owls' four-game unbeaten run was snapped in their last match against North Florida, falling to the Ospreys 3-2. Freshman Aaliyah McDiarmid scored her first collegiate goal in the final seconds of the match while also picking up an assist.
Anabel Orozco has continued her dominant run, recording a goal contribution for a fourth-straight contest. During this stretch, the senior has 10 points (four goals and two assists).
Sam Houston boasts a 4-2-3 record, with all of their victories coming at Pritchett Field. The duo of Siera Herbert and Ashtyn Magnuson are the joint leaders on the team in points with eight a piece. As a team, the Bearkats rank top 15 in the country with 57 saves while sporting a .792 save percentage. Their 17 goals are second in the conference, only trailing MTSU.
The teams did not face one another last season, but KSU defeated Sam Houston, 2-1, in their lone matchup back in 2024.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native Anabel Orozco has been on fire for the Owls, recording a goal contribution in each of the last four games. On Sept. 15, she was named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week for recording a two-minute brace at Presbyterian (9/10) and scoring an 89th-minute equalizer against UWG (9/14). Orozco currently ranks first in CUSA in shots (32), shots on goal (20) and second in points (12). Her shots on goal mark is 15th in the entire country and her 32 shots is top 50.
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 in KSU's most recent matchup against North Florida (9/17), as she recorded her 175th career save for the Owls. On the season, she's third in CUSA in saves (37) and fifth in GAA (1.45).
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.
