The Kennesaw State soccer team scored two comeback goals to defeat Charleston Southern University 2-1 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Friday, Sept. 13.
The Owls were controlling possession early, but a rare mistake by junior goalkeeper Tiffany Sornpao allowed an uncontested goal on 11 minutes. Sornpao had come out of the goal to intercept a pass from the CSU attacker but was caught out of position to allow the goal.
Near the end of the first half, junior Kameron Downs scored with an assist from Sornpao on 44 minutes. This was Downs’ first goal of the season.
A chance at goal was finally successful after a plethora of prior misses. The Owls had 25 shots with 11 shots on goal during the match while CSU only had two shots with one on goal.
“We gave an unfortunate goal early even though we were playing fine,” head coach Benji Walton said. “At halftime, I just told them to relax let the game come to them and try to execute in the final third.”
Throughout the match, the Owls kept up the pressure and it showed by how they were controlling possession. Hard work finally paid off when a corner was given about halfway in the second half.
Sophomore Kendall Higgs whipped in a curling cross into the box which was placed accurately for a powerful header for senior Carly Pressgrove on 57 minutes.
“I was looking at Kendall before she crossed the ball in and was just looking to get on the end of it,” Pressgrove said. “I only realized I had scored after seeing and hearing the reaction from my teammates face.”
Walton has now led the Owls to a record that stands at 5-2 and will be taking the team on the road for the next four games. So far, KSU has a 1-1 record away from home.
The next game for the Owls will be at Oklahoma State on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m.
Richard Torres contributed to this article.
