Tyler Duke (Staff Writer)
The Kennesaw State soccer team captured their first conference victory on Friday against Stetson (2-9-1 overall, 0-2-0 A-Sun) to improve to 4-7-1 overall and 1-1-0 on the season.
With two second-half goals, the Owls were able to overcome an early deficit to win 2-1.
It was a tale of two halves for KSU. The chances were limited in the first half, but the offense rallied in the second a recorded nine shots.
“We did actually step our back line up higher,” said head coach Rob King on his team’s second half adjustments. “We were connected with our forwards more quickly. It was way too big of a gap in the first half. In the second half we did adjust that, and we played better as well.”
The Owls were unable to get on the board in the first half and weren’t able to create many opportunities.
Julia Nelson, senior, had four of the team’s six first half shots including one shot on target. Nelson also took three corners in the first half, but KSU was unable to capitalize on any of the opportunities.
Stetson took advantage of their best opportunity in the first half when Sarah Collins broke free up the middle. Adrianna Suarez delivered a through ball, and Collins scored in the upper left corner of the net. The Hatters held onto the 1-0 lead going into the half.
The second half was a different story with the Owls taking nine shots and controlling the ball in the attacking half for much of the 45 minutes.
In the 61st minute, the Owls netted an equalizer off of a cross by freshman Mali Kokvoll. Fellow freshman Ashtah Das had just subbed in and scored on the one-touch to tie the game 1-1.
Brittney Reed nearly gave KSU the lead just a few minutes later when she shot off of a free kick pass from outside of the box. The ball hit the upper post and bounced straight down inches in front of the line for a near goal.
Reed missed narrowly again with 17 minutes left in the game. Dribbling right from outside of the box, Reed curled a shot to the left corner that was saved by a leaping Karlie Hightower for Stetson.
The Owls finally took the lead in the 77th minute when Nelson scored from the right side off a through ball by freshman midfielder Marit Sandtroeen. Nelson dribbled inside of the box and struck it by a charging Hightower.
Stetson had a few opportunities in the last minute but was unable to get the equalizer. On a corner with a minute left, the ball fell to the ground and was kicked around inside the box before being cleared by a KSU defender.
With just five seconds remaining, Stetson midfielder Autumn Matthews struck a last hope shot from outside the box that bounced off of the upper post out of bounds to seal the KSU victory.
“Very important,” said King when asked about getting their first conference win after losing the opener. “To lose the first one, it was on the road, but we don’t want to be losing games. So this one was a big one tonight, to make sure we got that win. I think the girls will have a little bit of confidence going into Sunday. And we needed that, we’re a very young team, so they’re still learning how to win games. We gave up a goal early on, so it’s important that we came back.”
The Owls will face Florida Gulf Coast (8-3) at home on Sunday at 1 p.m.
