KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State traveled to Nashville for a great weekend of lacrosse and the Owls improved to 5-1 after splitting with two Top Ten opponents. No. 2 North Dakota State beat KSU, 15-10 before the Owls responded with an upset of No. 5 Grand Valley State, 17-9.

Under the lights Friday night, the contest against NDSU was a tough battle for both teams. The Bison started strong after the first faceoff, but then Cody Clark got the Owls going an offensive run with his first goal of the night. Again and again, Clark found the open space in the field and started pouring on the points with a total of six goals.

After the first quarter, both the Owls and Bisons were tied, 3-3.

“We have to keep fighting for every opportunity for the ball, and we must possess the ball.” said captain Tyler Mathews to his teammates going into the second quarter.

The Owls midfield stepped up in the tough battle against the Bisons. Jay Debole and Damien Prosser combined for three goals and an assist to help the Owls take the lead going into halftime, 9-7.

The Owls came into the second half slow on the offensive side. The Owls offense only had 11 shots in the final 30 minutes.

“We had trouble maintaining backup on shots, and had a tough time clearing the ball," said KSU assistant Tom Mudrak.

The Bisons took the lead in the third quarter and never lost it.

“We played hard, fast, and strong," said Owls coach Tyler Yelken. "They [NDSU] had a very tough riding game and had a productive offense, but we are not down about the game. It was a great learning experience against elite opponents. We now have to think about Grand Valley. We will be ready Sunday.”

Against Grand Valley on Sunday, midfielder Brendan Hall and Matt Weir led an offensive force that could not be stopped by the Lakers, combining for five goals. Captain Tyler Mathews finished the weekend with 10 points, with seven of those coming from goals against the Lakers’ defense.

The first half ended up in the Owls’ favor, 12-2. Yelken led the halftime speech, talking about finishing the game, staying composed and not letting up. As both teams returned to the field, the Lakers’ bench was obviously loud and ready to come back from 10 goals.

All-American Goalie Connor Hanson said

“They [Lakers] really wanted that second half to go their way," said KSU All-American goalie Connor Hanson. "I told my defense to not let up the pressure and the intensity. They did not disappoint.” Hanson finished strong with 15 saves and a 62.5 save percentage.

The Owls are back in action Thursday, March 10 at 8 p.m. when they host Missouri Valley at The Owls Nest.