Formidable Defensive Effort Leads Flashes to 5-0 Victory

Sunday, October 2

Kent, Ohio

12:00 PM

Kent State University

(7-5, 3-0)

Central Michigan University

(1-10, 0-3)

Central Michigan

Kent State

Formidable Defensive Effort Leads Flashes to 5-0 Victory

10/2/2016 2:41:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – In a game with a meaning that transcended sport, Kent State put on its most dominant performance this season, beating Central Michigan 5-0 on Sunday.

The players on both teams donned blue ribbons in their hair and the Flashes wore special warmup shirts in honor of those affected by cancer, a cause that became very dear to the team this summer when Alison Harmatz's father passed away from a brain tumor. Donations for the V Foundation for Cancer Research will be accepted all season long on behalf of the program at commerce.cashnet.com/FHOC.

Once play began, the Golden Flashes stifled the Chippewas. Not even two minutes into the match, Jessica Nesbitt fired a pass into the circle where Shannon Talbot was ready and waiting to find the bottom corner of the cage for a lead that would not be relinquished.

At the 19-minute mark Krysti Lober's straight shot on a corner deflected up off the goalie and into the net as Silvia Figa Malgosa and Nesbitt earned assists. Before the half would end, Harmatz joined the action on a beautiful reverse shot that soared up and to the left of the Central Michigan keeper. Nesbitt also set up that play for her third assist of the half.

Harmatz connected again for her ninth goal of the season on a shot deflection shortly into the second period. Ines Delpech had the final tally of the game as she rifled a shot straight in on a corner play. Figa Malgosa and Madison Thompson both earned assists on that final goal.

The Kent State defensive effort proved once again to be formidable in Mid-American Conference play. Central Michigan's only action the entire match came by two shots off a penalty corner with less than 19 minutes left in the game. That was the full extent of the Chippewas' efforts as they were outshot 31-2 and had just the lone corner to the Flashes' 13.

Harmatz led Kent State with eight shots while Thompson finished with six. Andrea Rinehart earned the shutout in goal by saving both shots she faced on the day.

The Golden Flashes will continue on in MAC play in their next match when they host Missouri State on Sunday, October 9 at noon.