By: KSU Sports Information
2012 Schedule
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s soccer team’s 2012 schedule will feature five matches against teams that played in the 2011 NCAA Tournament, and 10 home matches at KSU Stadium, head coach Rob King announced Thursday.
Kennesaw State went 7-8-2 in 2011, and it returns six starters from that squad this fall. Two of the returning starters are all-conference honorees Katrina Frost and co-captain Jewelia Strickland. Frost, who led the Owls in scoring last year with 24 points (11g, 2a), made Second Team All-Conference. Strickland, who was the backbone of the KSU defense in 2011, was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman team.
The five NCAA Tournament teams on KSU’s slate in 2012 are Alabama, Tennessee, Samford, Tennessee-Martin and Florida Gulf Coast.
Coach King talked about his team’s 2012 schedule and how he thinks it will benefit his team.
“We've put together a challenging schedule to include three SEC teams, and five teams who participated in the 2011 NCAA Tournament,” coach King said. “The athleticism and physical nature of SEC soccer is second to none, so this type of early season experience will be invaluable in developing the required physical and mental toughness in our young squad.”
Kennesaw State opens the 2012 regular season against a familiar foe as it will host Alabama on Aug. 17. KSU is 1-1 all-time against the Crimson Tide, which includes its loss to Alabama in its 2011 season opener in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
The Black and Gold close out their season opening four-game home stand when they take on arguably their toughest opponent of their 2012 season as they host SEC power Tennessee on Aug. 31. The Volunteers are KSU’s highest ranked opponent from the 2011 NCAA RPI Rankings as they were ranked 33rd last season.
The Owls open their 2012 road schedule on Sept. 2 when they play their third SEC opponent of the season traveling to Fayetteville, Ark. to take on Arkansas. This match will mark the first-ever meeting between the Razorbacks and the Owls.
Atlantic Sun Conference play kicks off for Kennesaw State on Sept. 22 as it will welcome in-state rival Mercer to the friendly confines of KSU Stadium. KSU will also make it’s first-ever trip to Highland Heights, Ky. on Oct. 5 to play Northern Kentucky. The Owls final road trip before the conference tournament will be down in southern Florida as they will get a shot at the defending A-Sun Champions in Florida Gulf Coast on Oct. 19, and they also take on Stetson in the regular-season finale on Oct. 21.
The A-Sun Championship is scheduled for Oct. 27 – Nov. 4 with the first round at the higher seed, and the semifinals and finals at the home site of the overall No. 1 seed.
The full 2012 schedule is attached in PDF format. Times are listed in Eastern Standard Time and are subject to change.
