Oct. 30, 2007

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's soccer team will look to win its second straight Atlantic Sun Conference regular season title as the Owls travel south to Macon to take on in-state rival Mercer on Wednesday night. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Bear Field and can be seen on A-Sun.TV.

The winner of Wednesday's match with claim the regular season championship and the No. 1 seed in next week conference tournament. Both squads come into the game with a 9-1 league record.

"The players and staff are looking forward to our game on Wednesday," said head coach Rob King. "Mercer is having a great season and it's only fitting that the two top teams in the conference should match up in the final game of the season to determine the regular season champion and the No. 1 and 2 seeds for the tournament."

KSU (14-3, 9-1 A-Sun) is coming off a pair of home wins last week, defeating Campbell last Thursday, 1-0, before downing Gardner-Webb, 6-2, on Saturday night. After dropping their first two matches of the year, the Owls have won 14 of their last 15, with the only blemish coming in the form of a 3-1 loss at East Tennessee State two weeks ago.

The Owls have dominated their opponents in conference play, out-scoring the opposition 29-7. This week's A-Sun Offensive Player of the Week, Annie Phillips, has paced the KSU offense in league play, scoring 11 of 15 goals against A-Sun competition, including a hat trick last weekend against Gardner-Webb.

Caitlin Dingle has also shined for the Owls, scoring 14 goals and adding five assists. A three-time POTW recipient herself, the Rockdale, Ga. native has tallied 10 points in her last five matches, and is second on the team with five game winning goals. Freshman keeper Katie Piotrowski has remained strong in net, posting a 0.97 goals against average, while recording 61 saves and eight shutouts.

Mercer (11-5-1, 9-1) enters Wednesday's match on a nine-match win streak after beating Gardner-Webb, 2-0, and Campbell, 1-0, last weekend. Freshman Kacie Hudson, this week's A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week, has paced the Bears' offense, leading the team with five goals and two assists.

"We know it will be a battle on the road, but we're coming off a great second half performance against Gardner-Webb and hope to conclude the regular season competing at that level," added King.

Kennesaw State will play host to the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament for the second straight year and is guaranteed a first round bye regardless of Wednesday night's outcome. First round matches will begin on Wednesday, November 7, at 4:00 p.m. at the KSU Soccer Complex.