KSU Owls women’s soccer team hustles back to the line after losing a goal. Fifth-Third Stadium, August 21st, 2025. Photo Credit: Tye Brown/The Sentinel
The Owls traveled to Betts Stadium on Thursday night, where they lost in a tight 3-2 match to in-state rival Mercer.
The first half got off to a slow start for both teams, seeing no goals on 14 shots. The Bears shot four shots on goal but were unable to convert.
These shots on goal were all saved by Owls goalkeeper Charlee Bernal, who played a big role in keeping the score even in the opening half.
The opening goal of the match came in the 63rd minute by Mercer forwardMorganne Eikelbarner, and wasassisted by Payton Nutzman to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
KSU evened the score a few moments later in the 69th minute on an unassisted goal by Anabel Orozco, her first of the season.
The score stayed even until the 83rd minute, when Mercer took a 2-1 lead on Nutzman’s unassisted goal. Nutzman, a freshman for the Bears, has already has scored four goals on the year, including a three-goal performance against Alabama State.
The Bears extended their lead barely a minute later on a goal bySydney Farr, assisted by Anna Bachman to taking a commanding 3-1 lead with just a few minutes remaining.
KSU cut the Mercer lead in half during the final minute of the match on a goal by Alana Nesbit. Despite showing signs of life, it was too little too late for the Owls.
KSU has played five matches so far this season and still remains winless, despite getting itself out of the loss column after a 2-2 tie against North Florida on Sunday night.
The Owls are set return home this weekend for a three match homestand, the first of which being against Tennessee Tech on Sunday afternoon.
