Kennesaw State Soccer: A Foundation Built on Success

November 16, 2002 - Wasting No Time

Head coach Rob King hit the ground running when the program began in 2002. The Owls ended their first year with an undefeated regular season record at 18-0-1. They ended a perfect 7-0 in the Peach Belt Conference . The biggest victory of the year came versus Spelman, when they racked up a 23-0 win, the largest margin of victory in program history. The Black and Gold collected the program's first trophy with a 1-0 win over Clayton State in the PBC Final.

2003 NCAA D2 women's soccer national championships

The Owls collect the Peach Belt Conference title in their inaugural season.

December 6, 2003 - Two Years, One Ring

The 2003 women's soccer team cemented its legacy as one of the most memorable teams in Kennesaw State history. Following a electric start in year one, year two was even better as they captured the Division II National Championship. KSU not only became the first-ever program to win a national championship in its first two years of existence, they also were the first team to not allow a single goal in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The overall record after two years stood at 43-1-1.

NCAA D2 women's soccer national champions

The Owls capture the 2003 NCAA Division II National Championship.

August 27, 2004 - The Rest is History

The Owls began their trek into Division I one year earlier than every other KSU institution as they were an Independent DI team for the 2004 season. Their first battle at the NCAA's highest level came against UNC Asheville in Cookeville, Tenn. KSU won that contest, 2-0, for the university's first DI victory. The Black and Gold went 12-4-1, picking up a slew of individual awards along the way. Laura Tucker was named the NCAA DI Independent Player of the Year after recording 23 G/A in 17 contests. Annie Phillips picked up DI Independent Newcomer of the Year after finishing second on the Owls with 21 points. Rob King was the NCAA DI Independent Coach of the Year.

2004 NCAA DI Independent Player of the Year Laura Tucker vs. Duke.

September 23, 2005 - The Sun Rises

The Owls began their journey in the Atlantic Sun Conference with a contest against familiar foe North Florida. It was a dominant ASUN opener for the Owls as they secured a 4-0 win. The Black and Gold would finish with an 8-2-0 ASUN record for a second place finish and 13-4-1 overall tally. It showcased as the fourth-straight 12-plus win season.

KSU soccer's inaugural freshman class caps off their career.

October 27, 2006 - Outta Nowhere

It didn't take long for the Owls to acclimate to D1 play as they claimed their first ASUN regular season title in the 2006 season. The soccer squad ended with an undefeated regular season at 8-0-1 in just their second season in the league.

Head coach Rob King continues the Owls' success in Division I.

September 7, 2007 - Tide, Rolled

Among the monumental steps the program took in the last few years, KSU added another feather in its cap with its first Power-Five win. They took down Alabama, 3-2, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. in the Crimson Tide's home opener. They did so shorthandedly, as a KSU midfielder received a red card in the 37th minute, leaving the Owls with just 10 players for the remainder of the match. Kennesaw State's Caitlin Dingle scored two goals, with one from 30 yards outside the box. Recap

The Owls defeated Alabama for their first win over a power-conference opponent.

November 10, 2007 - Remember the Name

Along with the major upset over Alabama, Kennesaw State's ASUN success was unprecedented, as it collected its first ASUN postseason championship. The Owls took down in-state rival Mercer with a 2-1 final. The impressive records stacked up quickly with an 10-1-0 conference tally and an undefeated home record for a 17-4-0 overall mark. Click Here

KSU is crowned ASUN champions for the first time in program history.

November 16, 2007 - Ticket to the Big Dance

Following the ASUN Championship win, women's soccer took on perennial powerhouse Florida State in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.

The Black and Gold face Florida State in their first DI NCAA Tournament game.

November 7, 2009 - Dancing Again

After a heartbreaking loss to Belmont in the 2008 ASUN Tournament, the Owls came back with a vengeance in 2009. They went 7-3-0 in conference play en route to a first place finish. An overtime win over Jacksonville set up a rematch against Belmont in the ASUN Tournament Final. The Owls came out on top with a 2-1 victory and punched their ticket to the Women's Soccer Championship for the second time in three years. In the first round, they faced another ACC foe in Wake Forest.

The Owls win their second ASUN Tournament title in three seasons.

August 14, 2010 - Our New Home

Much like setting new athletics records through their history, women's soccer competed in the first match at Fifth Third Stadium when they took on Jacksonville State in an exhibition. Its first official victory at the stadium came eight days later with a 6-0 win over Alabama A&M. One year later, the venue hosted the 2011 NCAA Women's College Cup.

Aerial shot of Fifth Third Stadium.

September 1, 2013 - Facing the Top Dogs

Head coach Rob King was relentless when it came to out-of-conference scheduling and that was made clear in 2013. In the first five games, four opponents were Power Five members beginning with Alabama to open the season. After a match with Tennessee Tech, the Owls faced Oklahoma in Knoxville, Tenn. The final run proved to be the most rugged as they took on No. 12 Duke and No. 1 North Carolina in the Carolina Nike Classic. It's the lone time in program history that the Owls have played the No. 1 team in the country. It was also the first time the Owls faced back-to-back ranked opponents.

Owls take on No. 1 North Carolina.

December 18, 2015 - The Benji Walton Era

After more than 13 years of coaching experience, Benji Walton was hired as the second head coach in women's soccer history. Walton came to KSU after three seasons at Indiana and 10 years of head coaching experience at Birmingham-Southern College and Limestone College. Click Here

Walton looks on in his first season.

2019-2021 - The Run

For three-straight seasons, the Owls appeared in the ASUN Championship Final. In 2019, the Owls battled Lipscomb and took them to penalty kicks. In the spring 2021 season, KSU faced Liberty and fell in an overtime thriller. In the fall, KSU again played Lipscomb in a narrow 1-0 defeat. The Owls appeared in three-straight ASUN Championship Finals for the first time in program history.

Walton coaching up his third-straight ASUN title contender.

August 10, 2022 - A No-Doubter

Rob King became the second women's soccer member to make his way into the Kennesaw State Hall of Fame. His record stands alone atop the Owl record books with a 168-80-21 mark in his 14 years. He led KSU to its first women's soccer season, a national championship and several conference titles. He also brought the 2011 NCAA Division I Women's College Cup to Fifth Third Stadium while he served as an Assistant Athletic Director. Hall of Fame Page

Rob King is inducted into the Kennesaw State Hall of Fame.

August 28, 2023 - Forever Remembered

Just one year after King's induction, the 2003 team reserved their spot in Kennesaw State immortality. The squad ended the season with the program's first Division II National Championship, finishing the season with a 25-1-0 record. The Owls never lost a DII conference game and recorded a .962 winning percentage in 2003, the second highest in program history. The Owls not only became the first-ever program to win a national championship in its first two years of existence, they also were the first team to not allow a single goal in the NCAA Division II tournament. Click Here

KSU's 2003 National Championship team earns its place in the Hall of Fame.

February 28, 2024 - A Familiar Face

In February 2024, former associate head coach Chris Cahill was named Kennesaw State's third head coach in the program's 22-year history. Cahill accrued 14 years of coaching experience with his final stop being at Middle Tennessee where he spent nearly a decade as an associate head coach. He is familiar with KSU as he served as an Assistant to the Director of Student-Athlete Services in 2008. Click Here

Chris Cahill becomes Kennesaw State's third head coach in program history.

2024 - The Climb Up

Year one of the Chris Cahill era coincided with Kennesaw State's first season in Conference USA. The Owls' first CUSA victory came against Sam Houston on Sept. 29. The highlight performance of the season came against the eventual conference champions FIU. The Black and Gold blanked the Panthers for a 3-0 win. For their efforts, Tianna Rivera and Charlee Bernal collected the program's first CUSA weekly awards. Rivera was also named second team all-conference at the season's conclusion.

Tianna Rivera earned the program's first CUSA weekly and postseason honor.

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