ETSU won against a Kennesaw State team Sunday that has not lost a soccer game since August.
More than 200 spectators witnessed the Bucs dismantle the Owls in every facet of the game. The final score of 3-1 does not accurately show how dominant the Bucs were. The first half started out with fast physical play from both teams.
The game was played as evenly as any soccer game can be when the A-Sun’s second highest scorer Caitlin Dingle gave Kennesaw a 1-0 lead. After that Rachel VanHorn did not allow another goal for the second highest-scoring team in the A-Sun.
Phenomenally this was VanHorn’s fourth game as a goalie for the Bucs and she has only allowed three goals since she has made the transition.
During the second half, the Lady Bucs dominated the Owls, out-hustling and out-running Kennesaw the entire time. This dominance led to three second-half goals for the Lady Bucs.
The first of these goals came off a Jordan Monty assist to freshman midfielder Kelly Brinkman from about 40 yards away from the goal.
At first the shot looked like a pass and after the game Coach Heather Henson joked that Brinkman took that shot just as a move to show off for the fans.
The elated home fans appreciated it with a stunned silence, followed by a roar of applause.
Regarding the shot, Brinkman said she was thinking, “just shoot.” She went on to explain that at half time Henson told her to push up into the middle on the offensive side of the ball that there were opportunities that the Bucs needed to take advantage of.
Jordan Monty, whose playing time was limited due to a knee contusion, scored off of a goal that was set up by Jennifer Altimer and Brinkman.
The crowd roared as the Lady Bucs started to make the team with the best record in the conference look like they did not belong on the same field.
The Lady Bucs dominated the second half adding one more goal off a setup from Alex Meehan and Meredith Goldman to Katie Green who finished with a beautiful shot putting the stunned Owls on ice.
After the game, Henson was pleased with her squad’s first-ever win against Kennesaw State.
Regarding halftime adjustements, she said, “We talked a lot about winning 50/50 balls, which are balls in the air and balls that are on the ground but not under control. I also told Kelly (Brinkman) to play more on the offensive side as a midfielder; which led to her great shot.”
When asked if she knew that Brinkman’s leg was capable of a shot that far away, Henson said, “That’s why I recruited her (Brinkman).”
After the game, Brinkman said she felt amazing to get a win of this magnitude. Katie Green added, “This is a ridiculous win.”
The Lady Bucs are now 7-5-3 (3-4-1 A-Sun) and according to Henson need to win two out of the next three games to qualify for the A-Sun tournament. The Lady Bucs will be in action on the road at Florida Gulf Coast Oct. 26.

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