April 11, 2008

Photo Gallery

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Mexico U-20 National team scored a pair of first half goals to defeat Kennesaw State, 2-0, in the rain-shortened Get Global Challenge at the KSU Soccer Complex on Friday evening before a crowd of nearly two-thousand fans.

The match was played under the threat of severe weather in the north Georgia area. However, the skies stayed relatively clear for the better part of the first half as the pro-Mexico crowd came in thunderous support of the U-20 National Team.

"The crowd was tremendous despite the weather," said Kennesaw State head coach Rob King who was instrumental in setting up the Get Global Challenge. "I wasn't sure for a moment if we were the home or the visitors."

The Owls, who were undefeated during the spring season, played well against the Mexico U-20 Nationals, which had defeated the University of Houston and Alabama-Birmingham in the beginning portion of their trip through the states.

The Mexico U-20 National Team struck first when Yalu Mondragon left-footed a shot over Kennesaw State goalkeeper Staci Pugh in the 24th minute. Mondragon poked in a shot from just inside the 18-yard box as Pugh was able to barely get a finger on the ball, causing it to strike the underside of the crossbar and come down just over the goal line.

The Owls fell behind 2-0 in the 33rd minute when Stephany Mayor, who scored both goals in last night's win over UAB, one touched a ball over a diving Pugh after the Mexico team efficiently worked the a through ball down the pitch.

"Overall we didn't play that bad tonight," added King. "We did have a bit of trouble in the middle of the field and had a difficult time tracking Mayor. But, we had solid some solid chances on offense and did some good things defensively."

Kennesaw State had its opportunities in the first half with the best chance coming in the 18th minute on a free kick by Sara Clapham. With three players on the back post, Clapham struck a solid ball that went just out of the reach of Annie Phillips.

Clapham had another good chance for the Owls when she took a pass from Maylee Attin-Johnson on the left side and ripped a solid 25-yard shot on goal in the 37th minute.

The game was delayed right after halftime as lightening strikes were visible around the Kennesaw area. At 8:00 p.m. A hard rain began to fall about 20 minutes later and after spells of torrential rains and more lightening strikes, the game was called just after 10:00 p.m.