Kent State University
Ohio University
Soccer Hosts Ohio in Final Regular Season Tilt
10/25/2017 10:06:00 AM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The conference leading Kent State soccer team (12-5-1, 8-2-0 MAC) faces off against Ohio (7-9-2) on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 3 p.m. for the final home match of the regular season. The Golden Flashes sit atop the Mid-American Conference standings, and with a win would secure the MAC Regular Season Championship.
Last Time Out
Kent State defeated Toledo, 1-0, on Thursday night to lock up its second consecutive MAC East Division Championship. Freshman Vital Kats scored the game-winner in the 22nd minute on a strike to the top right of the goal. Kristen Brots recorded the assist. The Flashes pitched their 11th shutout of the season, which tied the 2003 team for most in program history.
The Golden Flashes had their five-match winning streak snapped with a 3-1 setback to Bowling Green on Sunday. The lone Kent State goal was scored by Isabelle Mihail and assisted by Jaime Eiben and Vital Kats.
Kent State leads the MAC with 24 points and is guaranteed to host a MAC quarterfinal match on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.
Season Notes
Kent State ranks first in the MAC in goals allowed (12), goals against average (0.66) and shutouts (11),
Kent State has won eight matches with a 1-0 final score, which is the most in a season at Kent State.
The Flashes have also recorded their seventh consecutive 10-win season, the longest such streak in program history.
Two Flashes won awards the first week in October, with sophomore Sierra Henderson-Muschett garnering conference Defensive Player of the Week recognition and junior Ashleah McDonald earning MAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week honors.
Two of freshman Isabelle Mihail's four goals have been game-winners in 1-0 matches (Sept. 7 vs. Pitt & Sept 29 at Miami). Fellow freshman Rachel Ernst also has two game-winners in 1-0 games (Sept. 24 vs. Eastern Michigan & Oct. 15 at Western Michigan).
Flashes freshmen (Vital Kats, Isabelle Mihail, Cameron Shedenhelm, Rachel Ernst) have combined to score 14 of the squad's 22 goals.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats (7-9-2, 4-4-2 MAC), are coming off a weekend that includes a tie with Bowling Green (1-1) and a loss to Toledo (2-1). Their last victory was against Western Michigan (2-1) in overtime on Friday, Oct. 13 on a game-winner by Remi Eades.
Ally Curry paces the Bobcats with 16 points (7g, 2a), with Hannah Jaggers not far behind with 10 points (5g).
Ohio has struggled on the road with a 2-6-1 mark, but have been more successful at home (5-3-1).
Series History
The all-time series is tied 11-11-1, with Kent State winning the past seven matches, while outscoring the Bobcats 16-7. Last season Kent State defeated Ohio in Athens, 3-2, behind a two-goal outburst by Hayden Pascoe. The two goals lifted Kent State to victory, as the Flashes trailed (2-1) in the second period.
MAC Tournament Outlook
Kent State can clinch the regular season championship and the top seed with a win against the Bobcats. The top eight teams qualify for the tournament, with the quarterfinal round hosted by the top four seeds. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinals and championship after the quarterfinal round.
1. Kent State 24 (8-2-0)
2. Ball State 23 (7-1-2)
3. Bowling Green 19 (6-3-1)
4. Toledo 17 (5-3-2)
5. Buffalo 16 (5-4-1)
6. Northern Illinois 15 (5-5-0)
7. Ohio 14 (4-4-2)
8. Western Michigan 13 (4-5-1)
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9. Eastern Michigan 12 (4-6-0)
10. Central Michigan 8 (2-6-2)
11. Miami 7 (2-7-1)
12. Akron 4 (1-7-2)
Up Next
The MAC tournament will begin for Kent State on Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at Dix Stadium in the quarterfinal round against an opponent to be determined.
Dix Stadium Information
All Kent State soccer matches are open seating for fans in the three-bleacher grandstands. Access to the Dix Stadium press box and loge is reserved for those with proper credentials.
Parking is available in the main Dix Stadium parking lot in front of the main entrance or by the field house free of charge. Parking on the ring road around Dix Stadium is strictly prohibited. Handicap accessibility is available under cover on the northeast side, by the end zone closest to the field house.
Follow the Flashes
All nine Kent State home matches will be video streamed on kentstatesports.com.
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and in-match updates about the squad.
