Lacrosse Returns Home to Face Gardner-Webb
3/21/2019 12:37:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State lacrosse team (0-8) returns home for the first time in two weeks to take on Gardner-Webb (4-4) on Friday at 3 p.m. at Dix Stadium.
The Golden Flashes are still in search of their first win in program history and have the opportunity to do so in front of a home crowd.
The Flashes are led by a trio of goal scorers in Megan Kozar (17g, 4a), Abby Jones (12g, 8a) and Lluna Katz (13g). The three freshmen account for 68 percent of the Kent State offense and all three of them have scored at least three goals in a single game.
In goal, team captain Grace Merrill has kept the Flashes in many games this season with her performance. Merrill ranks in the top-five in the country with 13.0 saves per game. Her 104 saves rank in the top-15 among all Division-I programs. In her latest contest, Merrill recorded a career-best 20 saves against Saint Francis (Pa.). On the season, she has saved nearly 46 percent of shots on goal.
The Flashes' defense is paced by Malissa Beall, who has caused a team-high 11 turnovers. Four other Flashes have caused at least eight turnovers on the season.
Scouting Gardner-Webb
Gardner-Webb has wins over two upcoming Kent State opponents. The Runnin' Bulldogs beat Delaware State 19-2 and Howard 21-5 earlier in the season. Delaware State and Howard will both travel to Kent to take on the Golden Flashes on March 29 and March 31.
The Bulldogs' offense is led by senior Abby Hanscom (19g, 9a) and freshman Jada Preston (12g, 14a). Hanscom has four games this season with at least three goals, while Preston tallied a career-high eight assists against Delaware State.
Junior Katie Sylvester plays in goal for Gardner-Webb and 50 saves on the season with a 3-4 record. She posts a 38.2 save percentage.
Up Next
Kent State will return home to Dix Stadium on Friday, March 22 to take on Gardner-Webb at 3 p.m. The Flashes will then travel to Coastal Carolina for its first ASUN conference matchup. After the quick road trip, the Flashes will be back home to host Delaware State and Howard for two games in three days.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Kent State lacrosse team on Twitter and Instagram for news and updates about the team throughout the season. The event can be streamed here and live stats of Friday's matchup against the Bulldogs are available during the game.
