Saturday, September 26
8 p.m. (ET) – Kennesaw State (3-4-3, 0-0-0 CUSA) at Sam Houston (4-2-3, 0-0-0 CUSA)
Location: Huntsville, Texas | Pritchett Discipline
Observe KSU Soccer - X / Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Convention season is upon us as Kennesaw State soccer begins CUSA play this Saturday, touring to Sam Houston to face the Bearkats.
The Owls’ four-game unbeaten run was snapped of their final match towards North Florida, falling to the Ospreys 3-2. Freshman Aaliyah McDiarmid scored her first collegiate purpose within the last seconds of the match whereas additionally choosing up an help.
Anabel Orozco has continued her dominant run, recording a purpose contribution for a fourth-straight contest. Throughout this stretch, the senior has 10 factors (4 targets and two assists).
Sam Houston boasts a 4-2-3 report, with all of their victories coming at Pritchett Discipline. The duo of Siera Herbert and Ashtyn Magnuson are the joint leaders on the group in factors with eight a chunk. As a group, the Bearkats rank prime 15 within the nation with 57 saves whereas sporting a .792 save proportion. Their 17 targets are second within the convention, solely trailing MTSU.
The groups didn’t face each other final season, however KSU defeated Sam Houston, 2-1, of their lone matchup again in 2024.
Float like a Butterfly, Sting like AB
Fayetteville native Anabel Orozco has been on hearth for the Owls, recording a purpose contribution in every of the final 4 video games. On Sept. 15, she was named CUSA Offensive Participant of the Week for recording a two-minute brace at Presbyterian (9/10) and scoring an 89th-minute equalizer towards UWG (9/14). Orozco at present ranks first in CUSA in pictures (32), pictures on purpose (20) and second in factors (12). Her pictures on purpose mark is fifteenth in all the nation and her 32 pictures is prime 50.
The Bernal Wall
After splitting time because the beginning goalkeeper in 2025, fifth yr Charlee Bernal has emerged because the beginning goalkeeper. After climbing inside the highest 5 in program historical past in saves towards No. 21 Memphis (8/12), the Roswell, Ga. native hit one other milestone in KSU’s most up-to-date matchup towards North Florida (9/17), as she recorded her one hundred and seventy fifth profession save for the Owls. On the season, she’s third in CUSA in saves (37) and fifth in GAA (1.45).
Double Bother
Julia Balchen and Lara Kennedy had sensible particular person performances in KSU’s 5-0 win over Alabama State (8/23). Each gamers recorded a brace whereas Balchen added two assists as effectively. They grew to become the primary pair of Owls to attain a minimum of two targets in the identical sport since Shannon Driscoll and Kim Fincher did it towards Alabama A&M almost a decade in the past. Balchen’s six factors on the afternoon was essentially the most by an Owl in a single sport since 2021.
Impenetrable Fortress
Within the Owls’ sport towards Stetson (8/16), their protection shut down the Hatters, conceding zero pictures on course for all the contest. It was the primary time KSU had completed that to an opponent since its contest towards Alabama State again on Aug. 28, 2016. The backline trio of Aubrey Diskin, Paris McCulloch, and Ashley Tan performed all 90 minutes, whereas Maci Stancil and Symone Thomas logged 70+ minutes. It was the primary clear sheet for the Owls this season.
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic alternative to contribute strategic income to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the purpose of strengthening our capability to recruit and retain top-tier expertise on this new period of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will assist assist in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, in addition to serving to the Owls present aggressive excellence by investments in teaching, journey and services. The fund will even give an elevated student-athlete expertise, together with enhanced educational, diet, wellness and management applications. Donate to the Champions Fund right here and assist us assist our Kennesaw State Owls.
