Georgia Rains Down on Kennesaw State, 7-0

Sunday, September 4

Kennesaw, Ga.

6 p.m.

University of Georgia

4-2-0, 0-0-0

Kennesaw State

1-4-1, 0-0-0

Georgia

Kennesaw St.

September 04, 2022 | Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Powered by a dominant five-goal first half, the University of Georgia soccer team defeated Kennesaw State, 7-0, before 650 spectators Sunday evening at a rainy Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Georgia's (4-2-0) five goals in the first half marked the team's most since scoring five against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 10, 2017. The seven-goal margin of victory also tied for the fifth largest in program history. The Bulldogs attempted 31 shots, including a season-high 16 shots on goal, and earned four corner kicks.

For the evening, Kennesaw State (1-4-1) only mustered seven shots with one on frame, along with two corners. Sophomore goalkeeper Liz Beardsley earned her fourth shutout of the season with one save. In the second half, junior Lauren Swoopes relieved Beardsley in her career debut for the Bulldogs.

"I thought tonight was a really good night for us," Georgia head coach Keidane McAlpine said following the match. "We played well. We played at a good tempo. To get seven different goal scorers tonight because of the way we were playing, and getting people in the right places, I was really pleased with the performance from beginning to end. And to keep the shutout, I thought it was fantastic."

The scoring began for Georgia in the sixth minute as senior midfielder Mallie McKenzie scored from the top of the six off an assist from junior defender Madison Haugen. The score was McKenzie's first of the season and marked Haugen's team-leading fourth assist of the season. Seven minutes later, sophomore forward Joyelle Washington tallied her second goal of the week off a cross from McKenzie.

In the 22^nd minute, graduate forward Dani Murguia scored for the third time this season as McKenzie notched her second assist of the night, setting a new career high with four points. Less than two minutes later, junior midfielder Dasia Torbert earned her first Georgia goal with a blast from the top of the box off an assist from graduate midfielder Abby Boyan. The scoring barrage concluded in the 29^th minute as graduate forward Ruby Hellstrom also scored her first goal as a Bulldog, capitalizing on an error by the KSU keeper for an easy score.

Despite holding a five-goal lead, the Bulldogs continued to attack in the second half, attempting 17 shots in the period. The tenacity paid off in the 70^th minute as sophomore forward Danielle Lewin scored her first goal in nearly a year, using nifty footwork and a clean finish to thwart the Owls' back line. Finally, in the 83^rd minute, junior forward Tori Penn closed the scoring off another defensive mistake, with Lewin stealing the ball in the backfield and finding Penn for the goal.

Georgia returns home this week to close out its non-conference schedule with a pair of matches against Sunshine State opponents. The Bulldogs face North Florida on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m., followed by a Senior Day contest against South Florida on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on SEC Network+.