KSU’s women’s soccer team ended Homecoming weekend with a bang, as it defeated Jacksonville 2-1 at KSU Stadium on Sunday.
This victory for the Owls on Senior Day was their fifth consecutive win, which has earned them a tie for second place with Florida Gulf Coast in the Atlantic Sun Conference. KSU has also qualified for a spot in the A-Sun Tournament.
KSU and Jacksonville came into this match with their series tied 5-5, with KSU losing in their last meeting 0-1. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Katrina Frost put forth a solid performance, scoring two goals for the Owls in the first half, one of them from 18-yards out in the 29th minute. Senior midfielder Lexi Hastings also had a memorable day on Senior Day with two assists for the match.
“I was trying to be aggressive getting forward and it worked,” Hastings said. “Frosty and I kept hooking up and we got a result out of it.”
KSU head coach Rob King knew it was a tough matchup coming into Sunday, and was very pleased with his players’ performances. King also mentioned this was going to be a pivotal game for both programs.
“We expected a lot of fight, and we expected them to be a good program, and they are,” King said. “It was a great game and I am very proud of the girls.”
The Dolphins came out with more fire in the second half, and caught the Owls off guard with a quick goal by Emily Culbreth in the 45th minute.
“They caught us sleeping right after the half,” King said. “We didn’t step to the ball the way we needed to and they scored. That’s a difficult way to start the second half, but a great show of character for us to give up a goal like that and then be able to defend.”
Jacksonville’s fight also came with a little more bite. 12 fouls combined were committed in the second half, 10 of them from Jacksonville. Coach King could definitely feel the tension from the sidelines.
“I don’t have these gray hairs for nothing,” King said. “They come about because of games like this I think, but they are a lot of fun too.”
Seniors Hastings, Liz Blackburn, Melissa Hutto, and Lauren Roberts were honored before the game. All players posed for a picture with Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams as they all stood behind their framed jerseys. There was even a quick stream of fireworks.
“It’s always sad for this to be the last game,” Blackburn said. “It’s been a long road for the four of us and we’ve come so far together. Me, Lexi and Mel have been here from the beginning and we’ve had so many memories and so many good times along the way and Lauren jumping in. It’s been great, and I couldn’t have asked for three better seniors to share this with.”
The Owls will end their regular season on the road by traveling to Florida for weekend matchups with Florida Gulf Coast on Oct. 19 and Stetson Oct. 21.
The A-Sun Quarterfinals begin on Oct. 27.
