Kent State University
University of Louisville
Golden Flashes Await Louisville for Friday Matchup
8/27/2015 4:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State University women's soccer team will host Louisville at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28 at Zoeller Field. Live stats and free video will be provided via kentstatesports.com.
The Golden Flashes are currently 1-1-0, falling to Maryland 1-0 in their season opener in College Park, but followed with a commanding 6-0 victory over Bryant at home last Sunday.
Junior forward Jenna Hellstrom (Sudbury, Ontario) led the attack with two goals and two assists, while sophomore forward Karli Paracca (Valencia, Pa.), sophomore forward Doni Capehart (Orient, Ohio), sophomore midfielder Kristen Brots (Naperville, Ill.) and junior defender Brittany Maisano (Dublin, Ohio) also added goals in the win.
Freshman goalkeeper Ashleah McDonald (Langley, British Columbia) has started in both games and has allowed just one goal and has tallied 10 saves (.909 save %). Sophomore Katie Kingsbury (Canton, Ohio) saw some action in Kent State's win over Bryant, playing 17 minutes and earning three saves.
Louisville is 1-1-0 on the year as well, defeating Wright State, 2-1, but falling to No. 20 Washington, 2-1, on Sunday.
Senior midfielder Lexie Niedoba, senior defender Rachel Avant and freshman midfielder Gabrielle Vincent have each scored a goal for the Cardinals, while Niedoba, Avant and Casey Whitfield each have an assist. Junior Taylor Bucklin has started in both games between the pipes, and has allowed three goals (1.50 gaa) and earned eight saves (.727).
The Cardinals are led by head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes, who is in her 16th season with the Cardinals. The Cards return 14 letterwinners, including senior forward Casey Whitfield, who sat out the 2014 season due to injury. The Louisville native scored six goals and added six assists during the 2013 campaign. The team finished 7-9-2 overall in 2014 and went 3-5-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play.
Kent State is 0-1-0 against Louisville. The two team's squared off last season for the first time, as the Cardinals defeated Kent State 3-2. The Golden Flashes held a 2-0 lead at halftime with goals by Capehart and Stephanie Haugh '15, but Louisville tied it up in the 85th minute and scored the game-winner just one minute into the overtime period.
After Friday's game, the Golden Flashes will travel east to compete at the TD Bank Classic hosted by Vermont. There Kent State will matchup against the host Catamounts on Friday, Sept. 4 at 4 p.m., followed by a game against New Hampshire at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6.
