Kent State University
Saint Francis University
Soccer Travels to UNLV for Nike Invitational
8/28/2014 3:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Kent State women's soccer team (1-1-0) will take on Saint Francis (0-2-0) and Colorado (2-0-0) during the UNLV Nike Invitational this weekend at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Golden Flashes challenge the Terries at 4:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday, Aug. 29, followed by a 1 p.m. (PT) game vs. Colorado on Sunday, Aug. 31. Live stats and video will be provided for both games.
LAST TIME OUT: After earning a 3-0 season-opening victory over Western Illinois, Kent State fell 1-0 to St. Bonaventure last Sunday afternoon. The Bonnies scored 13:59 into the game when rookie Danielle Vis tallied her first career goal, and the first of the Bonnies' season, after receiving a cross from junior Abby Maiello. Vis got the ball past Kent State junior keeper Stephanie Senn with a high shot to the right corner. The Grand Island, N.Y. native tallied three saves in her 90 minutes in net.
ABOUT ST. FRANCIS: St. Francis (PA) was tabbed to defend its Northeast Conference Championship title after being selected to finish first in the NEC's preseason poll. The Red Flash has earned three titles in the last five years and head coach Brenda van Stralen was named the 2013 NEC Coach of the Year.
Last season, St. Francis went 13-8-1 with a 7-1-0 mark to win the conference championship. The Red Flash earned a first-round game at the NCAA Tournament, but suffered a 5-0 loss to then No. 1 Virginia.
Currently, the Red Flash are 0-2 with losses to St. John's (3-0) and Delaware (1-0). Opponents are out-shooting St. Francis 39-16 and also 12-4 in corner kicks. Goalkeeper Romino Kunze has started in both games and has allowed four goals in 180 minutes of play. She has also posted 18 saves.
THE SERIES: Kent State and St. Francis will meet for just the third time, as the Golden Flashes lead the all-time series 2-0. Kent State defeated the Red Flash 3-1 on Oct. 7, 1998, followed by a 2-0 win on Sept. 22, 2009. Both were played on Zoeller Field.
ABOUT COLORADO: Colorado lost six players, including four senior starters, to its 2013 team that made an appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16. Last season, the Buffs finished 14-7-2 overall and earned a 4-5-2 mark in conference play, which marked just the fifth season that the Buffs won at least 14 games.
The Buffs return 18 letterwinners, including seven starters. Four of the team's top five scorers return, led by sophomore Brie Hooks, who recorded 18 points off eight goals and two assists in her debut season. All but two goal scorers will be returning to the Buff attack, while defenders Alex Huynh and Heather Ward will help protect the net for a new goalkeeper. Six seniors will provide leadership on and off the pitch.
Colorado is 2-0 on the year with wins over Colorado State (2-0) and Northern Colorado (1-0). Brittany Stark, Darcy Jerman and Hooks have each scored goals for the Buffs, while Kate Scheele earned both shutout wins in goal.
THE SERIES: Sunday will be the first meeting between Kent State and Colorado.
UP NEXT: After the UNLV Nike Invitational, Kent State will be back in action at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7 at Cleveland State. The following Sunday (Sept. 14), the Golden Flashes will travel for a 1 p.m. game at the University of Louisville.
