By: Ryan Henry
Thursday, October 1
6 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (4-4-3, 1-0-0 CUSA) vs. NM State (2-7-2, 1-0-0 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium
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KENNESAW, Ga. – Following a win in the Conference USA opener, Kennesaw State soccer returns to Walens Family Field at Fifth Third Stadium to take on New Mexico State this Thursday.
Senior
Anabel Orozco scored a brace in the 2-1 victory over Sam Houston, earning her second Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week award in three weeks. She became the first Owl since Jewlia Strickland in 2012 to record a goal contribution in five-straight games. During this stretch, the midfielder has 14 points (six goals and two assists).
Charlee Bernal notched the win with a five-save performance. It's her fourth game with five-plus saves this season.
Following a seven-game winless run, the Aggies won their CUSA opener, 1-0, on Sunday against FIU. Junior Milly Eyrich scored her first goal of the season in the 67
th minute. Goalkeeper Karolanne Lafortune had five saves in the shutout, giving her 60 for the season. That mark is top 15 in the country.
It's the first time the Black and Gold will host NMSU in program history. These teams only played each other one time, back in 2024 in Las Cruces.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native
Anabel Orozco became the first Owl since 2012 to record a goal contribution in five-straight games. During this stretch, she has recorded 14 points (6 goals and 2 assists). After being named CUSA Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15, she received the award again this past week after scoring a brace at Sam Houston (9/26). Orozco currently ranks first in CUSA in shots (35), shots on goal (22), points (16) and goals (7). Among all DI players, she's top 25 in country in shots and top 50 in points and goals.
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 fourth in CUSA in saves (42) and fifth in GAA (1.41).
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.
