Soccer Holds Off Toledo 1-0 on Senior Day
10/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio Behind a strong team-oriented defensive effort, the Kent State University women's soccer team withstood several second-half barrages by the University of Toledo and held on for a 1-0 victory over the Rockets on Senior Recognition Day (Oct. 15) in Kent.
Senior goalkeeper Alicia Fernandez matched her career high with 12 saves and got plenty of help along the backline as the Golden Flashes (8-7-1, 5-3 MAC) had two team saves and several blocked shots in taking down the first-place team in the Mid-American Conference.
Junior All-MAC forward Kimberly Dimitroff proved the only scoring on the afternoon, blasting a shot from the top left side of the box into the right corner of the goal at the 35:13 mark. It was one of just three shots on goal by the Flashes.
Toledo (5-7-3, 4-2-1 MAC) had a couple of great scoring opportunities in the second half, but were turned away both times. With 21 minutes to go, Molly Cornwell hit the post and Sarah Schulte's rebound attempt was blocked off the line by Kent State senior defender Britt Laing. Two minutes later, Cornwell again had a chance to tie the match but Brittany Fracasso made a swift save to clear the ball before it crossed the line.
The Rockets made one final attempt in the closing seconds. A pair of headers were blocked and Fernandez tuend away shots by Cornwell and Tara Witt in a frantic span of 1:05. She then deflected a header from Ali Leak and knocked Leak's rebound attempt out of bounds with eight seconds to play, essentially sealing the victory for the Flashes.
Toledo held a 25-12 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks. Whipple made two saves for the Rockets.
Kent State opens a two-game road trip on Friday, Oct. 20, at Ohio University. The Flashes are then at the University of Akron on Sunday, Oct. 21.
GAME NOTES: Dimitroff scored for the third time in her last five games... Fernandez earned her 30th career victory in goal and her 16th shutout. Both are school records... Kent State improved to 3-0 when leading at halftime and to 5-1 on Sundays... the Golden Flashes have won 11 of their last 12 matches at home dating back to last season... prior to the game, Kent State recognized its five seniors: Fernandez, Laing, Danie Irwin, Heather Gilbert and Misty Kulcsar.
| Box Score in PDF |
