Golden Flashes Host St. Bonaventure on Friday in Season Opener
8/22/2013 9:02:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team will host St. Bonaventure University at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, at Zoeller Field for its 2013 season opener.  Fans can follow the action via live stats on kentstatesports.com, or follow @KentStSoccer for twitter updates throughout the game.Â
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The Golden Flashes, picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division according to the 2013 MAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, are coming off a 1-0 victory over Oakland in an exhibition game last weekend.  Senior Jessacca Gironda netted a goal in the 85th minute to propel Kent State past the 2012 NCAA Qualifier Golden Grizzlies.Â
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Kent State finished the 2012 season with a 13-5-2 record, including a 7-3-1 mark in MAC play to finish second to Miami. The Flashes' memorable 2012 campaign ended with a 3-1 setback to the RedHawks in the MAC semifinals.
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Kent State returns three of its top four scorers in senior forwards Jaclyn Dutton and Gironda, and junior forward Stephanie Haugh. Dutton scored a school-record 37 points on 15 goals and seven assists, while Haugh was second on the club with 23 points on six goals and 11 assists. Gironda tallied 10 points on three goals and four assists.Â
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After a rough 0-6-1 start in 2012, the Bonnies rebounded to go 8-4 overall before losing to Butler in the Atlantic-10 tournament quarterfinals.  St. Bonaventure returns four of its top five scorers from last season, including leading scorer Brittany Charles,  who led the team with 12 points on two goals and eight assists.Â
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After Friday night's game, Kent State travels to Huntington, W.V. on Sunday to face Marshall at 1 p.m.
