Douthit leads Owls to victory in season finale

This article is originally from KSU Sentinel.

KSU defeated Georgia State, 11-8, in their season finale April 15 behind four goals and two assists from J.D. Douthit.  The freezing, wet conditions didn’t slow the Owls down as they took control of the match with two early goals from Douthit and Charles Rowland.

The Owls traded goals with the Panthers, however, KSU had a 4-2 edge after the first quarter.

Georgia State struck first in the second quarter narrowing KSU’s lead to one goal. Alex Drake answered back with a goal for KSU, slashing across the box and firing in a shot.

Douthit had the play of the day, intercepting a cross-field pass from Georgia State, then making a leaping shot just outside of the crease while being hit.

The Panthers would answer, but Kennesaw entered the half with a 6-5 lead.

The Owls stepped up their defensive intensity in the third quarter not allowing any goals due in large part to the goalkeeping from Kyle Hansen.

Douthit took control of the second half as well, with a goal and an assist to KSU’s leading goal scorer, Robert Witt. The Owls added another goal and had a 9-5 lead at the end of the third.

Tim Minick scored at the start of the fourth quarter from just outside the crease giving KSU a strangle hold on the match. Georgia State threatened with three late goals but the Owls held on to win.

Sunday’s season finale was the last for senior Brett Davies and KSU’s all-time leading goal scorer Robert Witt.

“I’ve seen a lot of strides from our team since we started,” Witt said.  “It’s great to see the improvement and it’ll be great to see where we are going in the future.”

With an 8-6 record KSU failed to make the playoffs but Coach Ken Byers is optimistic about next season.

“We are disappointed about not making the playoffs,” Byers said. “But, we made a lot of good progress with the development of young players and with our recruiting base.”