The women’s soccer team defeated New Jersey Institute of Technology 3-0 on Saturday, Oct. 15, securing a berth in this year’s Atlantic Sun Conference tournament.
Kennesaw State University (8-7-1, 3-3-0 ASUN) entered Saturday’s match on a two-game losing streak, knowing they needed a positive result in the match to have any hope of postseason play.
The Owls dominated the first half of the game against a less-talented NJIT (6-8-2, 2-4 ASUN) team. The Owls outshot their opponent (8-2) — and had more corner kicks (4-0) — but only had one goal in the first half to show for it.
Senior midfielder Cassidy Kemp opened the scoreboard midway through the first half with her sixth goal of the season. Head coach Benji Walton was impressed with his team’s resilience.
“We were knocking on the door in four straight possessions, and their keeper came up with some big saves,” Walton said. “Kim [Fincher] did an amazing job of keeping the ball in play after a nice serve from Brittney [Reed], and Cassidy [Kemp] did a great job finishing. That’s how you draw it up.”
The Owls scored twice in the second half to secure the win. Senior midfielder Monica Herrera scored her first goal of the season off a penalty kick just seven minutes into the second half.
Senior forward Kim Fincher wouldn’t let Kemp get too far ahead of her in the goal category, putting an end to any hopes of a NJIT comeback by scoring her sixth goal of the season and tying with Kemp for most goals this season.
“We played well today under some tough conditions,” Walton said. “The team did a really good job of staying focused and playing a strong team game. It was a good game of us executing some things and playing together.”
The Owls secured a spot in postseason play after the win. The team will close the regular season against the University of South Carolina Upstate (0-13-3, 0-5-1 ASUN) at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
