Kent State University
3-3
University of Pittsburgh
3-2-2
Mihail's Late Goal Powers Flashes Past Pitt
9/7/2017 10:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – In the pouring rain amid dark skies and frigid temperatures, Kent State freshman Isabelle Mihail netted the game-winning goal in the 89th minute as the Golden Flashes (3-3) defeated the Pitt Panthers (3-2-2) 1-0 at Dix Stadium.
"I'm really proud of the effort we showed today and thought the team battled hard. We are starting to show the ingredients of a successful team, and put it together nicely tonight," said head coach Rob Marinaro. "We caught them on a counter attack at the end, and I thought it was really well done."
Mihail scored the lone goal of the match with 1:02 remaining by chipping the ball over the Pitt keeper with an assist from senior Hayden Pascoe. It is the first career goal for Mihail and the first assist on the year for Pascoe.
"It felt absolutely amazing. It wasn't just my goal, the entire team helped me get there, and I just finished the job," said Mihail. "I was thinking that I had to do it because we worked so hard, and I knew we had to finish it on a high note."
The first period of the match was a stalemate as both teams only tallied two shots on goal while fighting cold conditions and pouring rain. Kent State had a slight advantage in shots (7-5) and corner kicks (1-0).
In the second period, both squads started to settle and found better offensive looks. Pitt had its best scoring chance late in the 87th minute when a shot was punched over the crossbar by Flashes net minder Ashleah McDonald. Moments later, the Flashes counter attacked with the match-winning goal.
Overall Kent State led in shots (16-11) and shots on goal (9-4), while corner kicks were knotted (3-3).
McDonald registered her second consecutive shutout while making four saves and moves to 2-2 in the campaign. The Panthers' Katelyn McEachern made eight saves and drops to 3-2-1.
The Golden Flashes continue their home stand on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. for a tilt with Dayton. Kent State's seven seniors  — Katie Kingsbury, Karli Paracca, Hayden Pascoe, Jaime Eiben, Mackenzie Lesnick, Kristen Brots and Donavan Capehart —will be honored before the match as part of senior day festivities.
Team Stats
MIHAIL, Isabelle (1)
Assisted By: PASCOE, Hayden
chip over keeper
88:38
