Flashes close solid spring season, announce 2013 schedule
5/2/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team closed a solid spring season, competing against some of the nation's top competition. With the 2013 regular season just three months away, the Golden Flashes have set the foundation to build on their record-setting 2012 campaign.
"We tried to challenge ourselves at the next level," Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro said of the spring schedule. "We got to play some quality opponents and that will help prepare us for the coming season. We're looking to continually improve and push ourselves to outperform our accomplishments from last season."
Kent State went 3-2 this spring with wins over Duquesne (1-0), Walsh (4-0) and Youngstown State (1-0). The Flashes played well despite losing to Big Ten power Ohio State (1-0) and Big 12 champion West Virginia (3-1).
Sophomore forward Stephanie Haugh (Richmond Hill, Ontario) scored three goals this spring, including two in the win over Walsh. Junior defender Morgan Mah (Edmonton, Alberta) scored two goals over the five matches.
Junior forward Jessacca Gironda (Akron, Ohio) and junior midfielder Megan Jackson (Medina, Ohio) each had one goal each.
Kent State graduates four seniors, but does return three of its top four point-scorers in junior forward Jaclyn Dutton (Bridgeport, Ohio), Haugh and Gironda. Dutton set the Kent State season record last fall for points with 37 (15 goals, seven assists). Haugh was second on the team with 23 (six goals, 11 assists) and Gironda was fourth at 10 (three goals, four assists).
Dutton and Haugh were second-team All-Mid-American Conference selections last season.
The Flashes also have freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Senn (Grand Island, N.Y.) back between the pipes. Senn set Kent State season records with 13 victories and eight shutouts last fall.
Kent State posted a school record 13 wins (13-5-1) and advanced to the MAC Tournament semifinals last November before falling, 3-1, to top seed and eventual champion Miami (Ohio). The Flashes also totaled season records for winning percentage (.700), goals (40) and assists (44).
The 2013 season begins Aug. 23 at home against St. Bonaventure. Kent State also has an Aug. 30 home date with Cleveland State and a Sept. 20 home date with Youngstown State.
The Flashes open conference play with home dates Sept. 27 against Central Michigan and Sept. 29 against Bowling Green.
Click here to view the complete 2013 schedule.
