Kent State University
13-5-1, 9-2-0MAC
Ohio University
7-10-2, 4-5-2MAC
Kent State Wins MAC Regular Season Championship
10/26/2017 6:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State soccer team (13-5-1, 9-2 MAC) secured the MAC Regular Season Championship by defeating Ohio (7-10-2, 4-5-2 MAC), 2-1, on Thursday evening at Dix Stadium. It is the third regular season championship in program history and the first since 2004.
"The regular season championship means a lot. Everyone came together with their work, commitment and team leadership and it was spectacular. You have to give a lot of credit to the team, and they are more than a team they are family," said Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro. "The team bounced back from a loss last week, and they have been doing it all year long. They showed great energy today and really built going forward."
The Flashes scored first in the 24th minute on senior Kristen Brots' second goal of the season, as she beat the Ohio keeper 10 yards out and found the back of the net. Seniors Donavan Capehart and Hayden Pascoe registered assists.
"Any way I can contribute to the team is great, and it happened to be a goal," said Brots. "We also had a freshman (Holmes) score a goal, and every one of the team gets looks, which is great."
Kent State attacked in the middle of the second period with a huge insurance goal from freshman Maddie Holmes on a header from a free kick by junior Paige Culver. It is the first career goal for Holmes, and Culver picked up her third assist.
"It was a great goal, and it felt good to get my first," said Holmes. "It was a great pass from Paige Culver that set it up, and if I missed it I would have been mad at myself."
Ohio scored a late goal in the 82nd minute from Courtney Daugerdas to break up the shutout, but the Flashes defense closed out the remainder of the match to seal the victory.
"We have had the same mentality all year long, which is to take it one game at a time and come out with a great start," said Marinaro. "They stepped up today and made sure they took care of business."
Overall, the Flashes led in shots (18-10), shots on goal (11-6) and corner kicks (8-3). Junior goalkeeper Ashleah McDonald (9-3-1) made a return to the starting lineup and made five saves while facing 10 shots. She is second in Kent State's program history in career wins (34) and is one away from tying Stephanie Senn (2012-15) atop the program leaderboard.
The Bobcats' Erin Beurket (0-6-1) made nine saves and faced 18 shots.
Donavan Capehart led Kent State with four shots, while four others put two shots on goal. Allie Curry led Ohio with three shots.
Both Kent State and Ohio will have a quick turnaround as the two will meet again on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals at Dix Stadium. Kent State will host the MAC Tournament Semifinals and Championship next weekend with a win this Sunday.
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and in-match updates about the squad.
Team Stats
BROTS, Kristen (2)
Assisted By: CAPEHART, Donavan , PASCOE, Hayden
10 yards in front of the box
24:25
HOLMES, Maddie (1)
Assisted By: CULVER, Paige
Header from the left side on a free kick
76:01
DAUGERDAS, Courtney (1)
Assisted By: EADES, Remi , LECKIE, Sydney
15 yards out on a breakaway
82:08
