Annie Phillips’ Kennesaw State soccer career began with an unexpected walk-on opportunity—and nearly ended before its defining season. After helping the Owls win a Division II national title as a redshirt, she returned for a final year and became ASUN Player of the Year, leading KSU to its first conference championship and NCAA Tournament since moving to Division I. Phillips will be inducted into the Kennesaw State Athletics Hall of Fame this fall.

By the Numbers
  • 2003: KSU won the Division II national championship with a 25-1-0 record.
  • 2007: Phillips totaled 38 points on 16 goals and 6 assists.
  • 2004: In her first season of game action, she scored 9 goals and added 3 assists.
  • 2007: KSU won its first ASUN Championship and advanced to its first NCAA Tournament as a Division I program.
Yes, But

Phillips’ college career took an unconventional path: she arrived at KSU without plans to play soccer, joined as a walk-on and initially redshirted. Even after considering her playing days over in 2006, she returned after coach Rob King offered her a scholarship. KSU’s NCAA run ended with a first-round loss to eventual runner-up Florida State.

What's Next

Phillips will be honored at Kennesaw State’s Hall of Fame dinner on Nov. 6 and recognized at the Owls’ football game on Nov. 7.

Bottom Line

A chance encounter on campus became a career-defining opportunity—and Phillips’ decision to play one more season helped make KSU history.