Flashes Fall in Field Hockey Final

Saturday, November 9

Oxford, Ohio

Kent State University

(11-9, 5-1MAC)

Miami University (OH)

(13-7, 5-1MAC)

MIAMI

Kent State

11/9/2019 3:58:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

OXFORD, OHIO- Two late Red Hawk goals denied the Golden Flashes their 13^th Mid-American Conference tournament title as Kent State fell 2-1 to the host Miami Red Hawks in the Mid-American Conference title game.

The Golden Flashes controlled the early part of the game, using suffocating defense to deny the Red Hawks' offense. Kent State struck first as an entry feed from Laila Richter took a fortuitous bounce off a pair of Miami defenders and found Sydney Carr. Carr patiently waited for the Miami keeper to make a move and flipped her shot into the top corner of the net for the first goal of the title match.

Kent State continued to provide strong defensive pressure throughout the remainder of the half. The Golden Flashes held Miami to just two shots on goal in the first half as starting keeper Azure Fernsler kept the clean sheet through the first 30 minutes. Kent State would take a 1-0 lead into the half.

Defense continued to set the tone in the third quarter as Kent State continued to bottle up the Miami attack. The Flashes nearly made it 2-0 early on in the quarter as a crossing pass found a streaking Richter but her one-time shot flew just wide. Miami tried to take advantage of a yellow card on Berta Jover Llorens late in the period but senior keeper Mary Crumlish made a kick save to keep it 1-0 Flashes heading into the fourth quarter.

The Red Hawks capitalized on the man advantage just seconds into the fourth quarter. A crossing pass got through the Kent State defense and found Lexie Nugent who was able to re-direct the ball over a diving Crumlish to tie the game at one. Crumlish continued her strong play as the senior answered a trio of Miami penalty corners with either saves or deflections to keep the game tied.

However, a late green card gave Miami another man-advantage. Off a penalty corner, Crumlish again made a sprawling save, however Kent State was called for a foul off the ensuing rebound, resulting in a penalty stroke. Miami's Leonor Berlie's shot beat Crumlish to the corner for what proved to be the game winner.

The Flashes pulled Crumlish late to get an extra attacker and provided sustained pressure on the Miami defense late, but to no avail. Miami was able to clear the ball and hold off Kent State's furious rally.

After the match, the Mid-American Conference announced that Lailla Richter, Melanie Scibilia and Berta Jover Llorens were named to the All-Tournament team.

The loss ends Kent State's season at 11-9 overall and 5-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Miami improves to 13-7 overall and were also 5-1 in the MAC.