Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Homestand Concludes against Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan
10/17/2019 3:07:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Kent State soccer team (5-6-2, 3-2-1 MAC) concludes its three-match homestand this weekend at Dix Stadium when it hosts Eastern Michigan (3-9-2, 2-4-0 MAC) on Friday, October 18th at 7 p.m. and Central Michigan (7-2-2, 4-2-0 MAC) on Sunday, October 20th at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
Kent State claimed a point in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge with a 2-0 win over Akron on Sunday at Dix Stadium. The Golden Flashes have won nine straight in the series with seven shutouts and have outscored the Zips 23-3 during the stretch. Redshirt sophomore Karly Hellstrom and junior Vital Kats each scored a goal for KSU while redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Faith O'Neill racked up her fifth shutout of the year.
#FlashFacts
- Kats has recorded a point in each of the last seven matches with the last three being multi-point performances. During conference-only games, she solely leads the Mid-American Conference in points (14) and assists (4) and is tied for first in goals (5). Her five points against Toledo are the most in any league match this year. The Toronto, Ontario native has posted 56 career points, which is seventh most in school history. Her 18 career assists are also tied for fourth most in a career alongside Megan Repas (2009-12).
- O'Neill is tied for the conference lead with five shutouts and earlier last week totaled a career-high eight saves at Buffalo. Now in her second year as the full-time goalkeeper, O'Neill is fifth in school history with 11 career shutouts.
- Junior Cameron Shedenhelm is tied for the team lead in points (15) along with Kats. Last Thursday at Buffalo, she scored both of Kent State's goals in a 3-2 setback. It was the third two-goal match of her career, which is seventh most in school in program history.
- Head coach Rob Marinaro is in his 19th season as head coach and 23rd overall with the program. He owns a 180-145-41 career record.
Kent State in the MAC Standings
The Flashes (5-6-2, 3-2-1 MAC, 10 points) are currently tied for fourth place in the league standings with Western Michigan. Five games remain in league play before the tournament begins. The top eight teams qualify for the MAC Tournament with the higher seed hosting the quarterfinals at campus sites.
Scouting Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan (3-9-2, 2-4-0 MAC) is coming off a narrow upset of MAC leader Bowling Green on Sunday. The Eagles were leading 1-0, until the 89th minutes when the Falcons scored to force overtime. BGSU defeated EMU, 2-1, to send the Eagles on a two-game losing skid. Junior Lindsey Shira paces the team with 10 points (4g, 2a). Redshirt junior Mabel Dunn has made 13 starts in net and is fourth in the conference in saves (76). Entering Friday's match, EMU is sitting in 10th place in the conference standings.
Scouting Central Michigan
Central Michigan (7-2-2, 4-2-0 MAC) has already equaled its win total from a season ago with five games remaining in the regular season slate. CMU shutout Toledo, 3-0, last weekend and also fell, 3-2, in double overtime to MAC leader, Bowling Green. The Chippewas had a successful non-conference schedule and defeated Kentucky, 2-1, in double overtime and tied at Northwestern. Senior Marle Bringard leads the team in points (12) and goals (5) and tied for the team lead in assists (2). Redshirt senior goalkeeper Zoie Reed has played every minute in goal this season and leads the MAC in goals against average (.645) and save percentage (.885).
Series History
Eastern Michigan leads the all-time series against Kent State, 13-11. Last season, Eastern Michigan won in Ypsilanti, 2-0, to end a five-game non-losing streak.
The Chippewas lead the series, 12-9-3 and won a season ago in Mount Pleasant, 2-1. Kent State has won two consecutive at home in the series, including the 2016 MAC Tournament semifinals, 3-1.
Up Next
Kent State will make its last roadtrip of the regular season next week when it goes to Ball State on Thursday, October 24th at 3:30 p.m. and Miami on Sunday, October 27th at 3 p.m.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow Kent State soccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and in-match updates about the squad.
