Kent State University
(1-0-0)
Saint Francis University
(0-1-0)
Field Hockey Tops St. Francis in Season Opener, 5-2
8/30/2019 4:39:00 PM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State University field hockey team started off the season strong defeating St. Francis, 5-2, in its season opener at home on Friday.
The opening period was played tight, with neither team having their way on offense. The Flashes held the Red Flash to only one shot in the first period, while Kent State fired off four shots.
The Flashes put themselves on the board within the first five minutes of the second period. Senior Laila Richter set up the play for Kent State's 10th shot of the game, as sophomore Luisa Knapp put the Flashes on the board.
At the 6:26 mark of the third period, junior Hailie Balachick's goal extended the Flashes' lead to 2-0, with Richter on the assist. With 1:40 remaining in the third period, Knapp scored her second goal of the day with an unassisted shot that made it 3-0.
Kent State capitalized on a corner within seven minutes of the fourth period when Richter set up an Ashley Bonetz shot on a corner. The Red Flash broke the shutout with six minutes remaining in the game on a goal from a penalty corner. The Flashes put the game away when freshman Caitlin Holland scored her first collegiate goal with Berta Jover Llorens credited with the assist to make it 5-1.
St. Francis capitalized on a penalty stroke with 4: 15 remaining, but the Flashes came up with the 5-2 victory.
The Flashes dominated offensively throughout the game, holding a 20-6 advantage in shot attempts. Knapp led the attack with four shots and two goals. Junior goalkeeper Azure Fernsler earned her first win of the season and tallied three saves.
Kent State is back in action as the Flashes take on Michigan State on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. at Murphy-Mellis Field.
Team Stats
KNAPP, Luisa (1)
Assisted By: RICHTER, Laila
GOAL by KENTST KNAPP, Luisa (FIRST GOAL), Assist by RICHTER, Laila, goal number 1 for season.
25:08
BALACHICK, Hailie (1)
Assisted By: RICHTER, Laila
GOAL by KENTST BALACHICK, Hailie, Assist by RICHTER, Laila, goal number 1 for season.
36:26
KNAPP, Luisa (2)
GOAL by KENTST KNAPP, Luisa, goal number 2 for season.
44:40
BONETZ, Ashley (1)
Assisted By: RICHTER, Laila
GOAL by KENTST BONETZ, Ashley, Assist by RICHTER, Laila, goal number 1 for season.
52:16
Nesmith, Taylor (1)
Assisted By: Lehman, Taylin , Olton, Samantha
GOAL by SFU Nesmith, Taylor, Assist by Lehman, Taylin and Olton, Samantha, goal number 1 for season.
54:02
HOLLAND, Caitlin (1)
Assisted By: JOVER LLORNS, Berta
GOAL by KENTST HOLLAND, Caitlin, Assist by JOVER LLORNS, Berta, goal number 1 for season.
55:55
Nesmith, Taylor (1)
SFU Nesmith, Taylor PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
56:46
