Paracca Scores in OT Giving Flashes 2-1 Win Over Pitt

Sunday, September 11

Pittsburgh, Pa.

6:00 p.m.

Kent State University

3-1-0, 0-0-0

University of Pittsburgh

1-6-1, 0-0-0

OT 1

OT 2

Kent State

Pitt

Photo by: Andy Drabic

Paracca Scores in OT Giving Flashes 2-1 Win Over Pitt

9/11/2016 9:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Ohio- Junior forward Karli Paracca's goal in the 102nd minute gave Kent State the 2-1 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday night from Ambrose Urbanic Field. The Golden Flashes win their third game in a row, improving to 3-1 on the year, while the Panthers drop to 1-5-1.

The Golden Flashes had a flurry of scoring in the first half starting in the fourth minute with Paracca finding space in the box and playing the ball just passed the foot of Hayden Pascoe near the back post.

In the next minute, Jenna Hellstrom played the ball through to Donavan Capehart who was one on one with Pittsburgh's keeper Taylor Francis, who deflected Capehart's shot high. Shortly after that chance, in the ninth minute, Capehart flicked the ball through to Hellstrom who ripped a shot forcing Francis to make another good save.

Kent State keeper Ashleah McDonald stopped both Pittsburgh shots on goal in the first half to keep the game tied heading into the second period of play.

Five minutes into the second half, Donavan Capehart drew a foul inside the 18-yard box warranting a Kent State penalty kick. Jenna Hellstrom took the shot and put it passed the keeper for her team-leading fourth goal of the year.

The Panthers would answer in the 54th minute, as Kaylee Rabatin played a free kick into the box to Niki Hopkins who would tie the game with a header.

The Golden Flashes had great opportunity to score late in regulation as Capehart put a shot on goal that was deflected by the keeper to Paracca whose shot went off the crossbar back to Capehart who put another shot off crossbar.

Both teams had good looks at goal in the first overtime period, with McDonald making a great diving save in the 96th minute to keep the Flashes' hopes alive.

The deciding goal would come in the 102nd minute as Hellstrom drove wide down the left side of the field and played the ball into Paracca who got an initial shot off forcing the keeper to make another deflecting save. Paracca controlled the rebound and made the most of the second opportunity, scoring the game-winner and her first goal of the season. For Paracca, it's her second overtime game-winning goal. On Sept. 18 of last year, she scored a golden goal against Eastern Kentucky.

The Golden Flashes ended the night with the adavantage in shots 17-13 and corner kicks 5-4. McDonald recorded six saves and picked up her third win of the season.

With her goal and assist against Pittsburgh, senior Jenna Hellstrom is now tied with Kimberly Dimitrioff '07 for the most points in Kent State history (87) and is now fourth all-time in shots attempted (86).

Kent State returns to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. to host Indiana State on senior from inside Dix Stadium. The Golden Flashes will honor their five seniors: Jenna Hellstrom, Abigail LaVigna, Abbie Lawson, Briitany Maisano and Morgan Williams.