Date Posted: 8/31/2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Senior Annie Phillips put Kennesaw State ahead early, but Mississippi State answered with two goals of their own to down the Owls, 2-1, in the opening match of the 2007 Samford Barber's Invitational on Friday night.

The Owls (0-1) dominated play early in the match and found themselves with the majority of the chances in the first 20 minutes. Caitlin Dingle gave KSU its best chance to take an early lead in the 15th minute when she corralled a pass and fired towards the Bulldogs net, but unfortunately, came just inches short as her shot rattled off the post.

Kennesaw State struck gold just a few minutes later when, in the 22nd minute, Phillips scored her first goal of the season after gathering a pass from Dingle and rocketing a shot off the post. After following her own deflection, the Savannah, Georgia product quickly fired again from five yards out and put the ball past MSU's keeper, Taryn Holland, giving the Owls the early 1-0 lead.

But it was the Owls' goal that seemed to energize Mississippi State (1-0) as nearly ten minutes later the momentum shifted and Bulldogs responded to tie the match. Their leading goal scorer from a year ago, Treena Ferguson, finished a header off a corner kick from Caitlin Gallagher, putting it in the upper corner past Owls freshman keeper, Katie Piotrowski and drawing the teams even at 1-1.

Related Links:
 • Full Article at KSUOwls.com