After finding success last season with a squad of young players, Kennesaw State’s soccer team will head into its 2019 season with all but one of its players returning.
Despite several important players graduating after the 2017 season, the Owls improved their record in 2018, going 12-6-1 en route to a third place regular-season finish in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Head Coach Benji Walton helped form a group of skilled and intelligent players who improved each week and found an identity to build around.
From the aggressive offense of Erin Harris to the midfield fulcrum of Isabella Contreras to super shot saver Tiffany Sornpao, KSU fielded a well-rounded team last season that will look to continue its success this fall.
The only downside to the largely successful season was the Owls’ early exit from the ASUN tournament, where they lost in the first round to North Alabama. One of the goals for the upcoming season will be to make a deeper run in the tournament and make it to the national level.
With the depth and talent of the team, KSU will be fighting all season to stay at the top of the conference with the likes of Lipscomb and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Perhaps the most important returning player will be midfielder Carly Pressgrove, who impressed her first three seasons before being redshirted last year. Her experience will give an additional layer of quality to a team that is already an established force.
Other seniors such as Contreras, Morgan Harrison and Emely Sosa will all be leaders on a team that still has a large group of underclassmen.
“We are always looking to challenge ourselves with some of the best teams in the region in order to prepare for the difficulties that ASUN play will bring,” Walton said. “I am also excited that we get to travel somewhere new out of region and take on Oklahoma State and Kansas.
This variety of competition will help the Owls earn recognition nationally in its quest to reach the NCAA Tournament. Last year, the Owls defeated the University of Georgia, Georgia State and Georgia Southern.
The key to success for 2019 will be for the soccer team to improve their record away from home. While the Owls won seven of their nine home games last season, the 5-4 record on the road will need to be even better for KSU to win the conference this year.
KSU will open the season with a home exhibition match against Auburn on Tuesday, Aug. 13, before beginning the regular season away at Mercer on Thursday, Aug. 22.
