Kent State University
Central Michigan University
Soccer Hosts Central Michigan Friday in MAC Tournament Semifinals
11/3/2016 11:17:00 AM | Women's Soccer
For the first time in program history, No. 2 Kent State soccer (13-2-2, 8-1-2 MAC) is playing host to the MAC Tournament Semifinals and Finals, in which the Golden Flashes will take on No. 3 Central Michigan (15-2-3, 6-2-3 MAC) Friday at 7 p.m. from inside Dix Stadium. The first semifinal match between No. 4 Western Michigan and No. 8 Northern Illinois is slated to start at 4 p.m. from Dix stadium.
The Golden Flashes come into the semifinals having defeated Eastern Michigan 2-0 in last Sunday's quarterfinal match.
Kent State's goal scorers were Donavan Capehart and Hayden Pascoe who were each assisted by Brittany Maisano and Jenna Hellstrom on their goals.
After a defensive battle in the first half, Kent State got on the board in the 51st minute by showing off some of their technical skill. Maisano chipped the ball forward to Hellstrom at the top of the box where Hellstrom played an excellent one-touch flick to Capehart who evaded one defender and dribbled around the goalie to score an empty net goal.
Pascoe, who was named MAC Offensive Player Week for her two goal performance in the regular season finale at Ohio, got on the receiving end of an excellent cross from Maisano in the 81st minute and headed the ball towards the back post and passed the keeper to seal the deal for Kent State.
RANKING THE GOLDEN FLASHES
• Kent State's win-loss-tie percentage of 0.824 is the 11th highest in the nation currently and would set a new program record for winning percentage in a season.
• A win for Kent State on Friday, would set a program record for wins a season at 14. The Golden Flashes won eight conference games in the regular season which also ties a program record.
• Kent State's 2.00 goals scored per game this season is tied for the best mark in program history while their 0.76 goals allowed per game is the second-best mark in program history.
• Among active players in Division I, Jenna Hellstrom ranks second in career assists with 33 and third in assists per game at 0.46.
• Goalie Ashleah McDonald's goals against average of 0.80 this season is the third-best mark in Kent State history. McDonald has racked up 12 wins this season, the second-most in a season for a Kent State keeper.
THE MATCHUP
• Kent State is 7-11-3 all-time when facing Central Michigan. When these teams met in Mount Pleasant earlier this season, the match ended in a 1-1 tie.
• The Golden Flashes are 2-0 when facing the Chippewas in the postseason. The last postseason matchup between these two teams was in 2006, a match that the Golden Flashes won 5-4. In 2005 the Golden Flashes defeated Central Michigan 2-0 in the semifinal round of the MAC Tournament.
• In this season's quarterfinals, Central Michigan defeated Buffalo 1-0 to advance to their first semifinals under head coach Peter McGahey.
• Central Michigan's 15 wins so far this season is the program's most since 2012 and two shy of tying the program record of 17.
• Sophomore Lexi Pelafas is the MAC leader in goals this season with 16 and ranks second nationally in game-winning goals with eight.
UP NEXT
A win over Central Michigan on Friday would put the Golden Flashes into the MAC Tournament Finals for the first time since 2005. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. from inside Dix Stadium.
