By Jonathan Hicks, Staff Writer
Kennesaw State’s soccer team traveled to play University of South Carolina Upstate Sunday in a pivotal game to determine seeding for the upcoming Atlantic Sun tournament. Going into the game, the Owls needed a victory to host a playoff game, or a loss from the University of North Florida to secure at least the sixth seed in the tournament.
KSU claimed a 1-0 victory over the Spartans and hold the No. 4 seed in the A-Sun tournament.
The Owls came out in a very offensive formation looking to take control of the game early and dictate the flow. KSU played with a full press, something that King has been implementing in the latter part of the season to try and break up opposing team’s passing rhythm in the midfield.
Possession was pretty even in the opening stages, and each team had a few chances to get on the board. The opening half was even with KSU’s nine shots to USC Upstate’s five.
The Owls were able to open it up a bit more in the second half, shooting thirteen times to USC Upstate’s four, forcing Spartans goalkeeper Ellen Bright to a total of fourteen saves.
Owls goalkeeper Ashley Zambetti made six saves to earn her first shutout of the season and KSU’s third.
Shannon Driscoll scored the game-winning goal when she dribbled around the keeper in the 77 minute after a pass from Cassidy Kemp put her one on one with Bright. The assist was Cassidy Kemp’s fourth of the season, Kemp currently leads the team with 16 points.
Driscoll’s goal was her second of the season and the fifth of her career at KSU.
Hosting a home playoff game is an accomplishment that Coach King really made a point of emphasis before the season started. “It’s very difficult if you don’t host [a playoff game] or you don’t host a semi final game,” he said back in August. “We went down to Florida to play the quarter final game, and then we went down to play the semi-final and final. So we want to get to that championship game, but we want to take a different route.”
The Owls host Stetson Friday at 2 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Stadium as they seek their second consecutive A-Sun championship appearance. KSU also hosts Emory University this Tuesday at 7 p.m. as they celebrate senior Hannah Churchill and close out regular season play.
