Kent State University
Bowling Green
Golden Flashes Host MAC Tournament Semifinals Against Bowling Green
11/1/2017 4:00:00โฏPM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio โ Top-seeded Kent State (13-5-2, 9-2-0 MAC) hosts the Mid-American Conference Women's Soccer Championship at Dix Stadium for the second consecutive year. Seeking their second consecutive tournament title, the Golden Flashes will take on fourth-seeded Bowling Green (12-6-1, 6-4-1 MAC) in a semifinal contest on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.
MAC West Division champion Ball State and third-seeded Toledo will meet in the other semifinal match at 4 p.m. Friday.
Last Time Out
Kent State advanced on penalty kicks (4-2) after playing Ohio to a 1-1 draw at the conclusion of 110 minutes in Sunday's quarterfinal matchup. Freshman Vital Kats scored her team-high sixth goal of the season in the 64th minute to put the Flashes in front, but the Bobcats answered with a goal just four minutes later.
In penalty kicks, Ohio missed its second shot and Kent State goalkeeper Ashleah McDonald saved the fourth attempt, while Donavan Capehart, Kristen Brots, Hayden Pascoe and Maddie Holmes all connected on their tries to advance the Flashes. It is the first time they have to advanced on penalty kicks since 2005.
Season Notes
Kent State ranks first in the MAC in goals against average (0.68) as well as shutouts with 11. They also rank nationally in the Top-25 in save percentage (.851).
The Flashes have scored a goal in eight straight games entering the weekend with their last scoreless appearance coming on Oct. 1ย against Ball State. They also had a stretch of five straight shutout victories during the month.
Kent State recorded their seventh straight consecutive 10-win season, which is the longest such streak in program history.
The Flashes finished the season fifth in the MAC in goals (24) and second in assists (29), trailing only Bowling Green in that category.
Two Flashes won awards the first week of October, with sophomoreย Sierra Henderson-Muschett garnering conference Defensive Player of the Week recognition and juniorย Ashleah McDonald earning MAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week honors.
Freshmanย Vital Katsย leads the team in points (16), shots (50) and goals (6). Seniorย Kristen Brotsย leads the team in assists with five.
Between the posts for the Flashes, junior goalkeeperย Ashleah McDonaldย leads the way with 9-3-2. McDonald ranks second in the conference in shutouts (6), goals against average (0.65) and save percentage (.857).
Senior goalkeeperย Katie Kingsburyย (0.71 gaa) holds a 4-2-0 record. Kingsbury was strong in October tallying three straight shutout performances against Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Toledo.
Freshmen Vital Kats,ย Isabelle Mihail,ย Cameron Shedenhelm,ย Rachel Ernst have combined for 15 of the Flashes 25 total goals this season.
MAC Tournament History
This is the 14th the MAC Tournament appearance since the program surfaced in 1998. The Flashes look to defend their title from last season, which was the program's first NCAA Tournament berth.
The Golden Flashes have an all-time MAC Tournament record of 7-10-5 and are 2-3 in the semifinals.
Scouting Bowling Green
The fourth-seeded Falcons came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat No. 5 seed Buffalo, 3-1, on Sunday. Erica Hubert found the back of the net twice for her first multi-goal match of the year, and Emily Winters scored her third goal of the year.
Bowling Green is making their first appearance in the MAC Tournament in the last nine seasons. Skylar Fleak leads the MAC in goals per game (0.61) and ranks 37th nationally. She also leads the MAC in points (27) which is 28th in the country. Bowling Green has the highest scoring offense in the MAC with 2.11 goals per game.
Victoria Cope has allowed a 1.24 goals against average in net for the Falcons and is 11-5-0 this season. Matt Fannon is in his first season as head coach of Bowling Green. He was previously the head coach at Division III Wittenberg.
Series History
Bowling Green is 12-7-5 all-time against Kent State and won the meeting earlier this season, 3-1, to hand Kent State it's second conference. Freshman Isabelle Mihail scored the lone Kent State goal in the match.
The two teams have met twice in the MAC Tournament, with the Falcons holding a 1-0-1 record. In the 2004 quarterfinals Bowling Green defeated Kent State (2-1), and edged the Flashes on penalty kicks (3-2) in the 2005 Championship game that was scoreless following two overtime periods.
MAC Tournament Information
Dix Stadium will play host to the MAC Tournament Semifinals and Championship on Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 5. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at Dix Stadium at the West Box Office. Tickets are $10 for a tournament pass, $6 per day, $2 per day for youth (ages 12 and under) and any MAC institution student ID is free.
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. ย
Follow the Flashes
All Kent State home matches will be video streamed onย kentstatesports.com.
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer onย Twitter,ย Instagramย andย Facebookย for news and in-match updates about the squad.
