Flashes Crush Colonials in Exhibition
8/21/2008 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio - "Dominant on both sides of the field" would be the best way to describe Kent State's performance in an 8-0 exhibition win over Robert Morris Thursday afternoon (Aug. 21) at Murphy-Mellis Field. The Golden Flashes outshot the Colonials 24-1 and received key contributions from a wide variety of players.
Freshman back Carla Johl wasted little time scoring her first three goals in a KSU uniform. Johl's third goal came midway through the first half giving the Flashes 4-0 lead. Two of Johl's goals were assisted by Laurie Wilkins, who finished the game with one goal and four assists.
Rachel Miller and Natalie Barrett each finished with a goal and an assist. Miller's first half score came between Johl's second and third goal giving the Flashes four goals in an eight-minute span. Barrett appeared to be back at full strength after suffering a season-ending injury in 2007.
Also returning at full strength were Kara Rhodenbaugh and Stephanie Arbelaez, who cracked Thursday's starting lineup and helped put the defensive clamps down on Robert Morris. Both backs sat out the entire 2007 season with injuries.
Freshman midfielder Amanda Hoffman and junior midfielder Allison Kittelberger both tallied second-half goals. Kittelberger also recorded an assist during an additional 10-minutes third period. Miller and Wilkins each notched their second goal of the day during the third period and Nicole Leach dished out her first assist of the year.
Following the third period, the team's went to strokes, where sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Suitch saved four of seven shots. Meanwhile, the Golden Flashes connected on five of their seven shots.
"I'm really happy with the way our upperclassmen came back ready to go this season," Head Coach Kathleen Schanne said. "They're fit and determined. And their effort and energy level means a lot to this team from a leadership standpoint."
Seven different players came off the bench for Kent State, showing promise for the team's depth in 2008. The only Robert Morris shot came late in the second half.
The Golden Flashes will open their regular season at home, against St. Francis Saturday, Aug. 30.
