Kent State University
Purdue University
Soccer Opens 2017 Campaign Against Purdue and Cleveland State
8/17/2017 11:50:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Match #1
at Purdue | Friday, Aug. 18 | 7:00 p.m.
Live Stats | Watch: BTN Plus | Listen: Purdue Radio
Match #2
vs. Cleveland State | Sunday, Aug. 20 | 1:00 p.m.
Live Stats | Watch: kentstatesports.com
The Kent State University soccer team begins its 2017 campaign this weekend traveling to Purdue on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. tilt with the Boilermakers, and hosting the Cleveland State Vikings on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at Dix Stadium.
About the Flashes
Kent State was voted the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference East Division by the league's 12 head coaches, as the Golden Flashes try to win their second straight division championship. All-MAC Honorees Donavan Capehart and Paige Culver return from a team that won a program-best 15 games last season, which culminated in the program's first ever MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Flashes return the conference's second-highest scoring duo in seniors Hayden Pascoe (6g, 5a) and Donavan Capehart (6g, 4a). Capehart is one of the best goal scorers in the team's history, ranking sixth in career goals scored (21). Junior goalkeeper Ashleah McDonald had one of the best seasons in program history a season ago. McDonald set a school record with 14 victories, and her 7 shutouts and 0.90 goals against average both rank second on the school's single-season lists.
Overall Kent State returns eight starters from last season, with a veteran roster comprised of seven seniors and five juniors. Kent State also welcomes nine newcomers to the squad this year.
The 2017 season will be the 17th season for veteran head coach Rob Marinaro, who was named the 2016 MAC Coach of the Year. Marinaro is the winningest coach in program history with a 152-125-35 record.
Kent State is coming off a 2-1 win in an exhibition match in the Steel City against Duquesne. The two Flashes goals were scored by junior Paige Culver and senior Hayden Pascoe.
Scouting Purdue
The Boilermakers were picked to finish 13th in the Big Ten Conference in the preseason coaches' poll. They finished with 4-12-1 record a season ago, and a 2-8-1 mark in conference play. Purdue had three players named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List in senior captains Vanessa Korolas, Andrea Petrina and Maddy Williams. Petrina was the Boilermakers' leader in points last year with 17 (4g, 4a). Purdue went 2-0 in the preseason with a 2-0 win over No. 18 Notre Dame and a 2-1 victory against Iowa State. The Boilermakers are coached by third-year head coach Drew Roff, who has a 13-20-2 mark in his first two seasons in West Lafayette.
Scouting Cleveland State
Cleveland State was picked to finish ninth in the Horizon League preseason coaches' poll. The Vikings were a 5-12 club a season ago and went 2-7 in Horizon League contests. Cleveland State returns only two seniors this season in midfielder Katie Bainbridge and goalkeeper Jamie Daniels, who ranks fourth in program history with 179 career saves and third with seven shutouts. The Vikings have a young roster, with 17 players who are in their first or second season. The Vikings went 2-0 in their preseason matches, beating MAC East member Buffalo 1-0 and Duquesne 2-1. Dallas Boyer begins his first season as head coach after serving as an assistant coach at Cleveland State for the last 10 seasons.
Series History
This will be the first meeting on the pitch between Kent State and Purdue. The Boilermakers' inaugural season of soccer was 1998.
Kent State and Cleveland State are no strangers to each other, as the two Northeast Ohio schools have squared off 10 times with the Golden Flashes holding an 8-1-1 advantage. In the last meeting in 2015, Kent State was victorious 2-0 with goals coming from Jenna Hellstrom and Hayden Pascoe. The Golden Flashes have won the past five meetings, outscoring the Vikings 9-2 with four straight shutouts.
Follow the Flashes
Fans can watch the season opener on BTN Plus, or listen to the game on Purdue Radio.
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.
