Kent State University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Soccer Continues Road Swing in the Sunshine State
8/30/2017 5:04:00โฏPM | Women's Soccer
Match #4
at Florida Gulf Coast | Friday, Sept. 1 | 7:00 p.m.
Live Statsย | Watch
Match #5
vs. Florida Atlantic | Sunday, Sept. 3 | 10:30 a.m.
Live Stats
KENT, Ohio โ The Kent State soccer team (1-2) travels to the Sunshine State to battle Florida Gulf Coast (3-1) on Friday, Sept. 1st at 7 p.m. and Florida Atlantic (3-1) on Sunday, Sept. 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at the FGCU Tournament in Fort Myers.
Last Time Out
Kent State dominated St. Bonaventure 4-0 for its first win of the season. Freshman Cameron Shedenhelm led the way scoring two goals, becoming the first Flashes' freshman to score more than one goal in a match since Donavan Capehart in 2014. Fellow freshman Karly Hellstrom assisted on both of Shedenhelm's goals. Hellstrom is the first freshman to record a multi-assist match since her sister, All-American Jenna Hellstrom, recorded a program record four assists against Eastern Michigan in 2013. Vital Kats and Hayden Pascoe also contributed goals for the Flashes.
The Golden Flashes played stellar defense throughout the match, and in the first half the Bonnies did not record a shot. In the second half St. Bonaventure registered five shots, but did not put one on goal. Goalkeeper Katie Kingsbury made her first start of the season and received the win.
Scouting Florida Gulf Coast
The Eagles were picked to win the ASUN Conference in the Preseason Coaches Poll. Florida Gulf Coast won both the ASUN regular season and tournament championships and finished with a 14-5-1 record. FGCU fell to No. 9 Florida 3-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
This season the Eagles check-in with a 3-1 record and won both of their matches last weekend, 1-0 vs. Valparaiso and 5-1 over MAC member Eastern Michigan at the Adidas Owl Classic. Sophomore Marjorie Boilesen was named the ASUN Conference Player of the Week for her two goals and two assists on the weekend. Sophomore Lindsey Patton earned ASUN Defensive Player of the week honors a week ago for aiding a 3-0 shutout against Georgia Southern and a narrow 2-1 setback to No. 4 South Carolina. The Eagles rank 23rd in the country in total points (30). Head coach Jim Blankenship is entering his tenth season as head coach with a 129-47-20 overall record and has guided the Eagles for every season in program history.
Scouting Florida Atlantic
The Owls were selected fourth in the C-USA Women's Soccer Preseason Poll. Last season, Florida Atlantic went 12-8-2 and fell to Charlotte 4-0 in the C-USA Championship game. Much like Florida Gulf Coast, the Owls enter the FGCU Tournament with a 3-1 following consecutive shutouts of their last two opponents Eastern Michigan and Valparaiso, 3-0, and, 1-0, respectively. Junior goalkeeper Jennifer Ocampa garnered C-USA Goalkeeper of the Week Honors for making eight saves and registering both shutouts Ocampo is 36th in the nation in save percentage (0.913). Junior Ebba Blomqvist was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Week for anchoring the FAU backline playing all 180 minutes and recording the Owls' first goal against Eastern Michigan. The Owls opened their season falling to No. 7 Florida at home 1-0 in overtime and defeating St. Francis (Pa.) 3-1. Patrick Baker is in his 26th season as a head coach, and fifth leading the Owls' program. He holds a 281-197-4 overall record and a 36-35-11 mark at FAU.
Series History
Kent State won the only prior meeting against Florida Gulf Coast 2-1 in 2010 on the road. The Flashes trailed 1-0 at halftime until Jessacca Gironda and Kellyn Flanagan netted goals in the second half. This is only the third match between Kent State and a team from the ASUN Conference with the Flashes winning the prior two matches.
This will be the first meeting between Florida Atlantic and Kent State. The Golden Flashes are 14-7-1 against teams from Conference USA.
Up Next
The Golden Flashes return home for their first home stand of the season when they take on Pittsburgh on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. and Dayton on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. for Kent State's senior day.
Follow the Flashes
Fans can watch the first game against Florida Gulf Coast and live stats will be available for both matches.
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer onย Twitter,ย Instagramย andย Facebookย for news and in-match updates about the squad.
