Holmes and Kats Score Two Goals in Win Over Miami

Sunday, September 30

Kent, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

6-5-1, 2-2-0MAC

Miami

2-8-1, 0-4-0MAC

Miami

Kent State

Photo by: David Dermer

Holmes and Kats Score Two Goals in Win Over Miami

9/30/2018 4:46:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – Behind two multi-goal outbursts from sophomores Vital Kats and Maddie Holmes and steady defense, the Kent State soccer team (6-5-1, 2-2-0 MAC) earned its second Mid-American Conference victory of the season, 4-1, over Miami (2-8-1, 0-4-0 MAC) on Sunday afternoon at Dix Stadium. The Golden Flashes capped off a great defensive weekend and only allowed one shot on goal.

"Our intensity level was excellent all weekend long, we played a really strong second half and connected on a lot of passes and broke them down," said Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro. "Our finishing product was a lot better in the second half, because we had our opportunities in the first, but we came back and fought and the team did a great job all weekend long."

Kats started the second half with a bang, just one minute and 20 seconds into the period, with a 15-yard rifle to the upper shelf of the net on a crisp pass from senior Dominique DiNardo to put the Flashes on top. Holmes scored back-to-back goals first in the 54th minute on a shot from the left side on assists from senior Paige Culver and sophomore Cameron Shedenhelm. She scored her second on a header from a corner kick by Kats.

"Ball movement created the opportunities for the team where we have a lot of time looking at the goal," remarked Marinaro. "Vital put one in early in the second and Maddie has been itching for the goals and it was great to see her get two different types of goals."

The last time Kent State had two different players post multi-goal performances in the same match was in 2016 at Akron by Donavan Capehart and Jenna Hellstrom. The Flashes' four goals is the most in a game this season, and Kent State is now 5-0 when posting two or more goals.

The Flashes were able to capitalize when RedHawks' senior goalkeeper Patricia Koutoulas left the game with an injury late in the first half and then turned to a true freshman. Miami scored a late goal in the 73rd minute to end KSU's shutout hopes.

Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Faith O'Neill (4-3-1) faced only four total shots while Lauren Parker (0-1-0) saw 19. Kent State led in shots (27-4), shots on goal (14-1) and corner kicks (6-5).

Kent State has won its last three meetings against the RedHawks.

The Golden Flashes continue MAC play on Thursday, Oct 4 at 7 p.m. with a home tilt against Buffalo and finish the week on Sunday, Oct 7 at 1 p.m. on the road at rival Akron.

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