Sept. 27, 2007

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's soccer team will look to continue its winning ways and for its sixth and seventh straight victories when the Owls open Atlantic Sun Conference play against Stetson and Florida Gulf Coast this weekend at the KSU Soccer Complex.

After playing four of their first five matches on the road, the Owls (5-2) returned home to secure a pair of 1-0 wins over UAB and Elon last weekend. Junior midfielder Maylee Attin-Johnson scored the game-winner over the Blazers and assisted on Caitlin Dingle's goal against the Phoenix en route to being named to the Soccer Buzz Magazine's Elite Team of the Week.

Stellar play by the KSU defense has also helped the Owls in the last few matches, propelling them to receive votes in both the Soccer Buzz and NSCAA Southeast Region Poll. The back four of Bridget Gaughan, Jessica Kalonji , Whitney Marler and Sadjr Williams and goalkeeper Katie Piotrowski, this week's A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week, have not allowed a goal in the last 307 minutes of play dating back to the second half of the Wofford game.

"We're all really looking forward to opening Conference play this weekend. Stetson is an experienced side and return most starters from last year's team," said head coach Rob King. "We haven't seen FGCU, but we know they have started the season very well. Both games will be a challenge but we're as healthy as we can be, and playing with confidence."

Stetson (2-4-1) comes into Friday night's match losers of four of its last five matches after dropping a pair of 2-1 decisions to Miami and Florida International last weekend. The Hatters have struggled as of late to find back of the net, scoring just twice in their last 21 opportunities. Sarah Stock has led the offensive charge for Stetson, as she is tied for sixth in the league with four goals, while goalkeeper Andrea Garavaglia is seventh in the A-Sun with a 1.66 goals against average.

KSU is 1-0-1 against the Hatters after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw in DeLand, Fla. last season. The Owls won the only other match-up, 4-1, back on September 29, 2005.

Kennesaw State and Florida Gulf Coast will meet for the first time on Sunday afternoon after the Eagles made the jump to Division I this season.

After starting the season with four straight wins, FGCU (4-3) has dropped its last three, including a heart-breaker to Murray State last Sunday. The Eagles led 2-0, but gave up three goals in the last 15 minutes of the match to fall 3-2.

FGCU leads the A-Sun with 23 goals and is tied with the Owls with 125 shots. Forward Lindsey Haw has had a great start to her collegiate career as the freshman is second in the A-Sun with six goals, while fourth in the conference with five goals of her own. The Eagles have received strong play between the posts from both Emily Burnett and Kirsi Keenan as the pair have recorded a combined 1.14 GAA.

"We're hoping for a big home crowd to get behind the team this weekend. We're ready for the A-Sun matches to get underway," added King.

The Owls and Stetson will kick-off the weekend at 7:00 pm on Friday night. The first 250 fans will receive a KSU Cheerstick upon entering the park.