CLINTON, S.C. – A near miss from
Maddie Smith in the 87
th minute of Thursday night's non-conference clash with Kennesaw State prevented the possibility of a tie for the Presbyterian College women's soccer team, instead dropping a 2-1 battle that had a hectic closing stretch.
Intertwined at zero until three total goals were scored in less than 15 minutes, PC almost came back from a very late two-nil deficit on Smith's kick after she had just scored herself at 85:01.
Alas, Kennesaw was able to edge the Blue Hose at Martin Stadium in a contest that kicked into high gear in crunch time.
Presby will now take a nine-day rest period before beginning the Big South Conference slate, anticipating a trip to UNC Asheville on Saturday, September 19. First touch there is labeled for 6:00.
FINAL SCORE: Kennesaw State, 2 – Presbyterian, 1
RECORDS: Presbyterian (2-3-1)…Kennesaw State (3-3-2)
LOCATION: Martin Stadium (Clinton, S.C.)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Neither side could break the ice over the first frame, with 11 total shots handed out. Freshman
Alexa Garcia (who entered the day as the Big South leader in both goals-against average and save percentage) ensured it stayed 0-0 with a fantastic effort in the closing seconds.
- With Anabel Orozco seemingly having a solo fast break, Garcia dove at the low shot and saved the high-probability goal with her foot. KSU quickly had another on-target shot with less than 10 seconds until the horn, but that too was gloved by the rookie.
- It took over 25 minutes for either team to register a shot after intermission, but the first of those attempts changed the outlook of Thursday's encounter.
- Orozco ended up winning the match for the Owls on back-to-back scores within two minutes of each other, the first being a penalty kick after a foul in the box. She added another goal with 17 minutes left, but PC rallied soon after.
- Smith connected on her fourth goal of 2026 after Kennesaw keeper Charlee Bernal got her hands on a cross but couldn't keep possession cleanly.
- That came with just five minutes on the clock, creating a tense mood for the visitors in the final moments. Smith attempted a low shot in a crowd at 86:40, settling inches away from the right post.
- PC's starting back line (
Lyla Chadd,
Cassidy Oldham,
Peyton Michael, and
Sydney Stoner) played all 90 minutes of the drama-filled match. Senior
Emma Brown landed two shots-on-goal, while Garcia saved five overall.
