Soccer?s Senior Day Thwarted by Akron, 1-0
10/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
"I think both teams brought high intensity today, but Akron was able to capitalize and took points home with them," said Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro.
Akron forward Jordan Clark's 24-yard free kick with less than three minutes to play marked the third straight one-goal setback for Kent State. All but three of Kent State's games this season have been decided by one goal or less.
Kent State had its fair share of chances, but the Flashes were held at bay for the second straight contest. KSU out-shot Akron 14-11 thanks to a 10-7 margin in the second half, but Akron had a 5-2 lead in shots on goal.
In the first half, Kent State's Kelly Heaton (Mississauga, Ontario) had a nifty back-heel try that was heading for the upper corner, but missed just wide in the game's 38th minute. Less than a minute later Akron's Britni Back shot wide from close range.
Late in the first half, KSU's Gabi Ingram (Indianapolis, Ind.) had a free kick on the left side near the end line that was driven low into the goal box, but the Kent State attackers were unable to get a poke as the game remained scoreless at intermission.
In the second half, Akron was dangerous in the 52nd minute when Back crossed a ball into Jordan Baranowski, but Kent State's Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) made a point-blank save to keep the sheet clean.
In the 61st minute it was Kent State's turn to try and break the deadlock with a free kick by Sara Henderson (Strongsville, Ohio). Henderson sent the ball in from the right, which was then flicked with a header by Kellyn Flanagan (Medina, Ohio) to Heaton, but her sliding shot from eight yards sailed just high.
Akron then had a pair of breakaway attempts stymied by the Kent State defense. In the 67th minute Akron's Back was denied with a last-moment challenge by Jenni Stapleton (New Albany, Ohio). Then, in the 71st minute Back again was through, but a charging Sherwood forced Back's shot wide left.
Sherwood was again up to the task in the 79th minute, making two back-to-back saves from eight yards out amongst a plethora of players. Sherwood finished with four saves.
With just seven minutes left, Kent State missed connecting on one of their six corner kicks of the day. Heaton served in a corner kick from the right side that found the head of Vanessa Salerno (Etobicoke, Ontario), but her flick to the far post was unable to find the frame.
That set up the late heroics by Akron's Clark. Clark found space around Kent State's wall to the far post on the right, where Sherwood was able to get a fist on the ball, but the shot was struck well enough to get in at the far post.
Akron's Jeny Wolbert made two saves for the shutout.
Prior to the game, Kent State honored its six-player senior class of Jackie Barath (Strongsville, Ohio), Beth Diederich (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Lauren Evans (North Ridgeville, Ohio), Megan Hill (Verona, Pa.), Catharine Marosszeky (Aurora, Ontario) and L.A. Thoma (Alliance, Ohio). All six players have earned academic honors from the Mid-American conference and have combined for a 3.63 grade point average.
Kent State will conclude the 2009 regular season on the road Thursday when the Flashes take on Buffalo in a 3 p.m. contest. The Flashes are in a battle for the seventh seed in the upcoming MAC Championship, which begins Sunday, Nov. 1 with the top four seeds hosting quarterfinal action.
| Kent State/Akron Box Score |
