Paracca Scores Golden Goal in Victory over Eastern Kentucky

Friday, September 18

Richmond, KY

4:00 p.m.

Kent State University

4-2-2

Eastern Kentucky University

0-8-0

OT 2

Kent State

Eastern Kentucky

Photo by: Alex Slitz

Paracca Scores Golden Goal in Victory over Eastern Kentucky

9/18/2015 7:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky.- Sophomore Karli Paracca (Valencia, PA) scored just 1:47 into overtime to lift the Kent State women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Eastern Kentucky on Friday evening. The Golden Flashes improve to 4-2-2 on the year, while Eastern Kentucky drops to 0-8.

"It was not our strongest performance, but we showed some character coming back and finding a way to win," said Head Coach Rob Marinaro. "I think we have learned a lot with our non-conference schedule. Now we must work to apply it to strong outings during conference play."

The Colonels lit up the scoreboard first after Kacy Eckley headed a corner kick in past Ashleah McDonald (Langley, B.C.) at the 20:39 mark. The goal was her first of the season and gave EKU an early 1-0 lead over the Golden Flashes.

Thirteen minutes later, Jenna Hellstrom (Sudbury, Ontario) scored the equalizer after firing in a penalty kick past goalkeeper Anna Hall. Hellstrom has scored a goal in Kent State's last three consecutive games, and was her sixth of the year.

At halftime, Kent State led 12-3 in shots and tied 3-3 in corner kicks with Eastern Kentucky. The Golden Flashes fired off four shots on target, but Hall was able to make the saves.

In the second period, both teams fired off 10 shots, with six of those on goal for Eastern Kentucky. The Flashes' had five opportunities, but Hall was able to keep the ball out of the net.

Kent State earned the game-winner when Paracca scored 1:47 into the first overtime period. Just four yards out, Paracca got one past Hall after a pass from sophomore Hayden Pascoe (Belle Vernon, Pa.) to lift the Flashes to a 2-1 win.

Kent State had a commanding 23-13 lead in shots, and edged EKU 6-5 in corner kicks.

McDonald, who made five saves in tonight's game, tallied the win in net for the Golden Flashes to improve to 4-1-1. Hall made 10 stops for EKU and is 0-1.

Hellstrom ended the night with six shots, including four on goal, in 73 minutes of play to lead the KSU attack. Junior Abbie Lawson (Stow, Ohio) added six shots with one on goal, while Paracca had two shots, both on goal, including the game-winner in 50 minutes.

Tonight's game was Kent State's final non-conference game. The Golden Flashes will now prepare for road games at University of Akron at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 and Buffalo at noon on Sunday, Sept. 27.