Kent State University
Buffalo
Kent State Readies for Matches Against Bulls and Zips
10/9/2019 9:18:00 AM | Women's Soccer
The Kent State soccer team continues Mid-American Conference play with a pair of matches on deck this week. The Golden Flashes travel to the Empire State for a 7 p.m. tangle on Thursday, October 10th against Buffalo. Kent State will host rival Akron in a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest on Sunday, October 13th at 1 p.m. inside of Dix Stadium.
Last Time Out
Both the offense and defense were in sync last Sunday as Kent State shutout Toledo, 3-0. Juniors Vital Kats and Cameron Shedenhelm each had large contributions. Kats registered five points with two goals and one assist, while Shedenhelm had two helpers and one goal. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Faith O'Neill made three saves. Kent State notched its fourth shutout of the year and first during conference play.
#FlashFacts
- Shedenhelm leads the Flashes in points (11) and assists (5). She has already equaled her production from the entirety of last season.
- Kats is tied for the team lead with four goals and has registered a point in each of the last five matches. The Toronto, Ontario native also leads the MAC in shots per game (4.55) and shots on goal per game (2.00).
- Redshirt sophomore Karly Hellstrom is tied for the team lead in goals after missing all of last season due to injury. As a freshman in 2017 she registered four points with four assists.
- Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Faith O'Neill is tied for the league lead with four shutouts. Her 10 career shutouts are sixth most in program history.
- Head coach Rob Marinaro is in his 19th season as head coach and 23rd overall with the program. He owns a 179-144-41 career record.
Kent State in the MAC Standings
The Flashes (4-5-2, 2-1-1 MAC, 7 points) are currently tied for fourth place in the league standings with Western Michigan. Seven 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 Buffalo
The Bulls (4-6-1, 1-3-0 MAC) enter Thursday's contest on a three-match losing skid. UB lost a heartbreaker in double overtime on its home turf on Sunday, 3-2, against Ball State after it charged back from a 2-0 halftime deficit. The lone MAC win of the year came in the conference opener at Toledo, 2-0. Junior Marcy Barberic leads the team in points (7) and goals (3), but has yet to score in conference action. Buffalo has received contributions all over its roster with 12 different Bulls having scored a goal. Goalkeeper Emily Kelly has started all 11 matches, and is third in the conference in saves (51).
Scouting Akron
The Zips (5-7-0, 2-2-0 MAC) have won two of their last three matches in 2-0 shutout fashion against both Toledo and Miami. Senior Ashley Amato paces the squad with three goals and six points while junior Anya Donelan leads with two assists. Freshman Libby Harper has earned the bulk of the starts in net and is 4-5-0 with three shutouts.
Series History
Kent State leads the all-time series against Buffalo, 12-9-1. In last year's meeting at Dix Stadium, KSU earned a 5-2 win and scored the most goals against UB in the series since 2010. The Flashes scored all of their five goals in the first period and sophomore Isabelle Mihail posted the second two-goal match of her career. KSU is on a three-game winning streak against UB and has outscored the Bulls 7-2 during the stretch.
The Flashes have historically thrashed the Zips and dominated the series, 15-3-0. Kent State has won the last eight meetings with six shutouts. Akron has scored one lone goal in the last six meetings and has been outscored, 16-1. KSU won on the road last season in double overtime, 1-0, off the foot of senior Dominique DiNardo.
Up Next
KSU closes out its three-match homestand at Dix Stadium by hosting Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan. The Eagles come to town on Friday, October 18th for a 7 p.m. kick and the Chippewas on Sunday, October 20th at 1 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.
