First Conference Road Trip Ends in Setback to Central Michigan

Sunday, September 23

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

4-5-1, 0-2-0MAC

Central Michigan

4-6-0, 2-0-0MAC

Kent State

Central Michigan

Photo by: Austin Mariasy

First Conference Road Trip Ends in Setback to Central Michigan

9/23/2018 4:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Kent State soccer team (4-5-1, 0-2-0 MAC) was downed 2-1 by Central Michigan (4-6-0, 2-0-0 MAC) on Sunday afternoon at the CMU Soccer Complex.

The Chippewas scored early as Shannon Magnan found the back of the net when she received a long cross from Maria Kaschalk and chipped it in in the 20th minute. Kent State was able to respond in the 53rd minute when sophomore Vital Kats scored her third goal of the campaign on a penalty kick to even the match, 1-1. Natalie Belsito struck for the game-winner in the 69th minute to give Central Michigan the 2-1 victory.

Kent State had some chances early but could not capitalize when two shots banged off the crossbar in the first period. For the first time since 2015, the Flashes have dropped back-to-back Mid-American Conference matches.

The Chippewas led in shots (13-11), shots on goal (9-3) and corner kicks (6-2). Redshirt freshman Faith O'Neill (2-4-1) received the start in goal and made six saves which ties a career-high from earlier this year against Pitt. Kent State also recorded one team save. Central Michigan's Brianna Wallbridge (3-2-0) made two saves on three shots on goal.

Sophomore Isabelle Mihail led the match with five total shots and played two on goal.

Kent State will host Ball State on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. for its first home conference match of the season and close out the weekend welcoming Miami on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.

Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and in-match updates about the squad.