Kennesaw State University Athletics

Kennesaw State Women's Lacrosse: The Owls' Newest Success Story

November 7, 2011 – The Announcement

Kennesaw State announced that women’s lacrosse will be the university’s 17th NCAA Division I championship sport and will start their inaugural season in the spring of 2013. KSU became the second NCAA Division I university in the state of Georgia to add lacrosse to their athletic program.  

May 29, 2012 – Kristina Llanes Introduced as the First Head Coach 

The beginning of Owl lacrosse started when Kristina Llanes came to KSU, as the inaugural head coach, with seven years of coaching experience and continued to run the program for the first four years through the end of the 2016 season. 

September 24, 2012 – First Season Preparation 

In preparation for the first season, Coach Llanes conducted Kennesaw State’s first-ever lacrosse open tryouts to select the inaugural team. Along with the 11-player signing class, KSU debuted the first-season team on February 10, 2013, when they travelled to Nashville, Tenn. to play Vanderbilt.  

April 12, 2013 – First-Ever Win in Program History 

After a slow start to the season, the Owls didn’t let that stop them from recording their first-ever win in school history against the Atlantic Sun Conference opponent Howard, 14-13.  

April 24, 2013 – The Beginning of Senneca Ward 

Freshman Senneca Ward was named Kennesaw State’s first-ever Atlantic Sun Co-Freshman of the Year after leading the Owls in the regular season with 31 goals, 32 points, and 35 draw controls, as well as led the conference in goals per game (3.10), points per game (3.20), and draw controls per game (3.50). She was also awarded First-Team All-Conference, All-Freshman Team, ASUN All-Tournament Team, and ASUN Player of the Week on March 4. 

April 26, 2013 – First Appearance in Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament

No. 4-seeded KSU travelled to Jacksonville to face the Dolphins in their first-ever appearance in the ASUN tournament.

June 19- July 1, 2015 – Owls Go International  

After their most successful season yet with five wins, the Owls sent five of their most promising players to travel abroad to play in the Prague Cup with USA Athletes International Inc. (USAAI). Jessica Alderdice, Sydney Farwick, Kyra Fitzgerald, Taylor McGhee and Olivia Hokanson spent three days in Berlin and three days in Prague where they played one game a day then spent the rest of the day sightseeing throughout Germany and Czech Republic. They became the first USA women’s team to win the Prague Cup and go undefeated throughout the tournament, making them 7-0 in Europe.  

June 30, 2016 – Maness Takeover  

As the second head coach in program history, the coaching veteran Laura Maness came to Kennesaw with more than a decade of experience. Within her eight-season stretch at KSU, the Owls had their first conference winning record and their first season winning record in program history.  

March 20, 2017 – Maness’ First Season Means Winning Streak  

The Owls started the season with a bang after five-straight wins against Gardner-Webb, Radford, Army, Presbyterian, and ASUN opponent Detroit Mercy. While cruising past three other ASUN opponents, KSU made program history for most wins in a season.  

February 20, 2022 – Owls Down Ducks For First-Ever Power Five Victory 

KSU opened up with an early 4-1 lead while standout Siena Gore scored five goals as Kennesaw State claimed its first-ever win over a Power Five school with a 14-13 victory at Fifth Third Stadium.

April 23, 2022 - New Season Win Mark

Chesslyn Lamar and Siena Gore combined for nine goals, while Gore added a career-high 15 draw controls as the Owls claimed their second ASUN road win of the season, 16-14 at Coastal Carolina. That marked the 11th win of the season for the Owls, a new program high, and also was the first winning season in conference play in school history.

May 24, 2022 - All-American Gore

Siena Gore topped off her amazing career at Kennesaw State by becoming the first All-American in school history after earning honorable mention honors from Inside Lacrosse. That capped off a stellar career for the Alpharetta, Ga. native, who still ranks among the top scorers all-time in NCAA history with 313 goals in her five years with the Black and Gold. The first-ever Owl to earn all-region accolades, she swept both the 2022 Atlantic Sun Player of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.

March 18, 2023 - Double-Double For All-American Wilson

Bailey Wilson became the second Owl all-time to claim All-American status after being named Honorable Mention by both Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine. She finished the season as one of the best in the nation at the draw position, ranking second in the nation in draw controls while setting several new school marks.

February 24, 2024 - Record-Breaking Start

For the first time in school history, the Owls won four of their first five games of the year after claiming a 15-11 road win at Longwood. KSU also owned wins over Reinhardt (away), Gardner-Webb, Presbyterian and led the nation in scoring for the majority of the opening month.