Kent State University
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Western Michigan
MAC Play Begins with Matches at Western Michigan and Northern Illinois
9/26/2019 4:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
The Kent State women's soccer team (2-4-1) is on the road this weekend for a pair of matches opening up Mid-American Conference play. After a postponement of Friday's MAC opener against Western Michigan, the two teams have agreed to play at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Golden Flashes are still on schedule to face Northern Illinois (2-4-1) on Sunday, Sept. 29th at 2 p.m. Saturday's make-up will not be streamed but will have live stats. Sunday's match will have video and stats provided by Northern Illinois.
Last Game
Kent State secured its first road win this past Sunday beating Youngstown State, 4-2. Junior Cameron Shedenhelm paved the way with the second two-goal game of her career and her first since 2017. Freshman Grace Wolber got on the board notching the first goal of her collegiate career and junior Maddie Holmes netted a penalty kick late in the second half to lockdown the win. The Golden Flashes have now taken 10 straight against the Penguins.
Flashes Picked Third in MAC Preseason Poll
The Golden Flashes were tabbed to finish third in the Mid-American Conference preseason coaches' poll and received three votes to win the league's postseason tournament. Kent State had the second-most tournament championship votes behind last season's regular season and tournament champion, Bowling Green. Kent State finished the 2018 campaign with its eighth consecutive 10-win season and is the only MAC team to accomplish that mark.
#FlashFacts
- Redshirt sophomore Karly Hellstrom was named MAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career on Sept. 10 and netted the game-winning goal against Syracuse. Both of Hellstrom's goals this year have come against Power 5 competition (Syracuse & Colorado).
- With KSU's win over Syracuse, the Flashes have won a match over an ACC school for the fourth straight season.
- Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Faith O'Neill currently ranks sixth in program history with eight career shutouts.
- Shedenhelm leads the team with six points (2g, 2a). Last year the Pickerington, Ohio native registered 11 points in 14 games played.
- Head coach Rob Marinaro is in his 19th season as head coach and 23rd overall with the program. He owns a 177-143-40 career record.
Scouting Western Michigan
In its last game, Western Michigan fell to Loyola Chicago, 4-1, and were outshot 7-3 in the match. The Broncos have secured non-conference wins against Cincinnati and Oakland. Sophomore Morgan Otteson leads the team with seven points (2g, 3a). Prior to the loss against Loyola, junior goalkeeper Maggie Rogers had a career high 13 saves against Kansas before falling, 2-0, to the Jayhawks.
Scouting Northern Illinois
In its final non-conference game of the season, NIU was shutout on their home turf by South Dakota State, 3-0. The Huskies were outshot 22-1 in the match and the Jackrabbits placed eight of their shots on target. Preceding their loss to SDSU, the Huskies topped Marquette, 2-1, in double overtime on the road in Milwaukee. Sophomore Trudy Quidzinski leads the team with nine points (4g, 1a).
Series History
The Golden Flashes lead the all-time series against Western Michigan, 12-6-3. The Broncos defeated the Flashes, 4-3, at Dix Stadium last year, but prior to the meeting Kent State won four in a row. KSU leads NIU, 11-9-4 in the series. The Flashes blasted the Huskies last year, 6-0, at home as junior Vital Kats posted six points, which is tied for the second most in a single game in school history.
Next Up
Kent State will continue MAC play against Bowling Green at Dix Stadium on Friday October 4th at 7 p.m. The Golden Flashes will remain inside Dix Stadium against Toledo Sunday, October 6th at 1 p.m.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for news and in-match updates about the squad.
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