Kennesaw State soccer had to wait until the final minutes, but Anabel Orozco delivered once again.
The senior forward/midfielder scored an 89th-minute equalizer to help the Owls earn a 1-1 draw against in-state rival West Georgia, capping another standout stretch for one of KSU’s hottest attacking players.
Kennesaw State controlled much of the night offensively, finishing with a commanding 20-5 advantage in shots. The problem was West Georgia goalkeeper Emily Sanabria, who kept the Wolves in front for nearly the entire match with 11 saves.
Orozco eventually broke through.
The goal marked the third consecutive match in which Orozco has scored, giving her nine points during that three-game stretch.
For Kennesaw State, the late equalizer salvaged a result from a match in which the Owls created plenty of opportunities but struggled to turn their pressure into goals.
Kennesaw State Controlled the Chances
West Georgia wasted little time finding an opening.
The Wolves earned an early corner, and Rachel Higgins’ first attempt from the set piece was saved. Higgins then followed up on the play and scored from her own missed opportunity to give UWG the early advantage.
Kennesaw State responded by taking control of the attacking side of the match.
The Owls generated 10 additional shots during the first half, but Sanabria repeatedly kept KSU off the scoreboard.
More importantly, Kennesaw State tightened things up defensively after conceding.
The Owls did not allow another West Georgia shot for the remainder of the first half.
That created the foundation for a second-half push.
Anabel Orozco Keeps Delivering
The second half followed a similar script.
Kennesaw State continued to dominate possession and generate chances, while West Georgia relied heavily on Sanabria to protect its lead.
The goalkeeper stopped the first 11 shots she faced, turning away opportunity after opportunity as the Owls searched for an equalizer.
But Kennesaw State continued to push, and Orozco once again came through when the match was at its most important point.
With the clock approaching the final whistle, senior midfielder Lara Kennedy delivered a lead pass down the left wing for Orozco.
Orozco received the ball, cut inside and unleashed a shot that finally beat Sanabria.
The result: an 89th-minute goal and a 1-1 draw.
For Orozco, it was another entry in what has quickly become an impressive scoring run.
Three straight matches with a goal and nine points over that span have made her a major attacking difference-maker for the Owls.
Chris Cahill: KSU Has to Finish Its Chances
Kennesaw State head coach Chris Cahill praised the team’s resilience while also pointing to the biggest issue from the match.
“It was overall a gutsy performance tonight,” Cahill said. “Unfortunately, we gave up an early chance and had to claw through the entire game to get even. We created a lot of opportunities and need to focus on capitalizing on those moments to gain the outcome we want.”
That assessment fits the numbers.
Kennesaw State finished with 20 shots to West Georgia’s five, yet needed a goal in the 89th minute to avoid a loss.
The attacking pressure was there. The finishing was not — at least until Orozco’s late strike.
That distinction could become important as the season moves forward.
What This Means for Kennesaw State
The biggest positive is obvious: Kennesaw State refused to let a dominant performance turn into a loss.
The Owls created enough chances to win the match, maintained defensive control after conceding and continued attacking until the final minutes.
Orozco’s current form is another major storyline.
Scoring in three straight matches gives Kennesaw State an attacking threat capable of changing a game late. Her ability to create something from the left side against West Georgia showed exactly why having an experienced player willing to take on defenders and finish the chance matters.
But Cahill’s message also provides the clearest takeaway.
Twenty shots are encouraging. Converting more of those opportunities is what could turn draws like this into wins.
Against West Georgia, Orozco made sure KSU at least walked away with a point.
ASN TAKE
Kennesaw State earned the result its performance deserved — but probably wanted more.
A 20-5 shot advantage tells the story of a team that spent most of the night asking questions of the opposing defense. Sanabria answered nearly all of them.
Orozco eventually found the answer.
Her late equalizer extended her scoring streak to three matches and prevented a frustrating night from becoming an even bigger disappointment.
For Kennesaw State, the next step is straightforward: turn that attacking volume into more goals.
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LEARN MORE →If Orozco stays in this kind of form and the Owls become more clinical in front of goal, performances like this have the potential to produce three points instead of one.
Internal Link Opportunities
- Kennesaw State Women’s Soccer Coverage
- Georgia College Soccer Results
- Women’s College Soccer Coverage
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.