Central Michigan Ends Kent State?s Home Winning Streak With 4-1 Win
10/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Box Score
Hester scores for the Golden Flashes
KENT, Ohio - Central Michigan handed Kent State its first loss at home this season with a 2-0 victory and spoiled the 100th game at the KSU Soccer Field in the process. The loss slid the Golden Flashes to 2-3-0 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and 5-7-0 overall. The Chippewas kept their perfect MAC record intact while improving to 5-0-0 (MAC) and 10-2-0 overall.
Down 2-0 at the half, Kent State did not give up the fight and outshot Central Michigan by an 11-4 count for the second period. Senior Caitlin Hester (Worthington, Ohio / Thomas Worthington) accounted for the Golden Flashes' lone goal, which was also the first goal scored upon CMU in MAC play this season. Hester scored on her own throw-in when her attempt was deflected off the goal keeper's hand and into the goal.
Despite Kent State controlling the tempo, the Chippewas still managed to score when they had the ball in their set opportunities. First Molly Gerst scored her second goal of the game in the 80th minute when she knocked in a loose ball in front of the goal. After Hester answered two minutes later, Kristen Pelkki headed a ball in the goal off a throw in as Central Michigan took its 4-1 advantage.
“Overall I though we played well and were able to do many of the things we were looking to accomplish,” said Head Coach Rob Marinaro, “Our team fought hard when they got down, but Central Michigan did a great job scoring inside of the 18-yard box and that is where the game is usually won.”
In the first half, the Chippewas capitalized on a corner kick opportunity by Stephanie Martin a little less than eight minutes into the game when her attempted bounced off the far posted and directly in the goal.
The Kent State deficit reached 2-0 in the 17th minute when Grest accounted for her first goal scored off a throw-in. Despite the two goal margin at the end of the first half, the Golden Flashes had chances to score equaling Central Michigan with seven shots taken a piece.
For the game the Golden Flashes had 18 shot attempts to 11 for Central Michigan, while corner kicks were even at four a piece.
Kent State keeper Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio / Strongsville) made four saves in goal, while her counter part Shay Mannino made nine.
Sophomore Annie Messer (Dayton, Ohio / West Carrollton) led KSU with five shot attempts, while Hester took four.
The Golden Flashes host Eastern Michigan on Sunday at 1:00 pm
NOTES: The goal was the second this season for Hester, who leads the team with five assists ... Kent State had won two straight at home against CMU.
