Kent State University
Buffalo
Kent State Battles Buffalo and Akron in Third MAC Weekend
10/3/2018 4:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Kent State (6-5-1, 2-2-0) continues Mid-American Conference play taking on Buffalo (9-2-0, 3-1-0) at home on Thursday, Oct. 4th at 7 p.m. and travels to rival Akron (4-7-1, 1-3-0), for a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge matchup Sunday, Oct. 7th at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Golden Flashes picked up their first two MAC wins over the weekend, Kent State beat Ball State, 1-0, on Friday night in a defensive battle. The game remained scoreless through the first 83 minutes until sophomore Cameron Shedenhelm scored her first goal of the season. The Golden Flashes defense took charge and only allowed two shots the entire game, and did not allow a shot on goal. This was the first time the Flashes did not allow a shot on goal since October 8th last year at Buffalo in a 1-0 win. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Faith O'Neill recorded her second shutout of the season.
Kent State kept its momentum going into Sunday's match against Miami, and surged in the second half to a 4-1 win. The sophomore tandem of Maddie Holmes and Vital Kats each scored two goals for the first multi-goal games of their careers. Kent State also set a new season scoring mark and is now 5-0 when scoring two or more goals. Kent State's defense kept a clean sheet until the 73rd minute when the RedHawks scored.
#FlashFacts
Freshman Khyla Porter, junior Yasmine Hall, and sophomores Maddie Holmes, Vital Kats, and Isabelle Mihail have each scored two goals in a match this season. It's the second consecutive year a freshman scored twice in the same match, as Cameron Shedenhelm accomplished the feat at St. Bonaventure in 2017. It's also the first time in program history that five different players have recorded multi-goal games.
Senior goalkeeper Ashleah McDonald now stands atop the program record book with 36 career victories and passed Stephanie Senn (2013-15) against Syracuse on September 13th.
Three of sophomore Vital Kats' five goals this season have come on penalty kicks which is tied for second most in school history and second in the NCAA this season.
Kent State Picked to win MAC Regular Season and Tournament
The Golden Flashes were selected to win the Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament championship in the preseason coaches' poll. Kent State has been selected to win a regular season championship in three consecutive years after they were named to win the MAC East Division in 2016 and 2017.
Scouting Buffalo
The Bulls have won nine of their last 10 matches, but split their first weekend of conference action. The Bulls swept their second weekend of play, defeating Central Michigan, 2-0, and Eastern Michigan, 2-1. Carissa Cutrona, and Kaitlyn Walsh have led the way on offense, combining for 12 goals this season. Buffalo was selected to finish fourth in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll and are led by fifth year head coach Shawn Burke.
Scouting Akron
The Zips have dropped three of their first four conference matches, with their lone win coming against Northern Illinois, 3-2. Akron was shutout by Mid-American Conference foes Western Michigan, 1-0, Eastern Michigan, 1-0, and Central Michigan, 1-0. The Zips have eleven different players scoring this season, with freshman Sydney Worthy leading the way with four goals. Akron tied for 10th in the Mid-American Preseason Poll and are led by third-year head coach Noreen Herlihy.
Series History
Kent State leads the all-time series over Buffalo, 11-9-1, and has won the last two matches. The Golden Flashes have won seven straight games against the Zips and lead the all-time series, 14-3-0. Kent State has not dropped a match since the 2010 season, outscoring Akron 20-3.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and in-match updates about the squad
