Kent State University
Ohio State University
Flashes Face Buckeyes in In-State Showdown
2/11/2020 3:36:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Kent, Ohio – The Kent State women's lacrosse team opens its second season on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 7 p.m. against in-state foe Ohio State. The Golden Flashes home opener against Cincinnati was rescheduled for March 8 due to weather.
The Flashes return 18 players from their inaugural season, including 10 that started at least 10 matches a year ago.
"I am excited to continue to grow our program in our second season," said Head Coach Brianne Tierney. "Ohio State is a great challenge for us to open the season, but we are ready to finally get back on the field and start the season."
About Kent State
Sophomore midfielder Abby Jones leads all Kent State returners with 52 total points and 32 goals last season. She was an All-ASUN First Team selection as well as a unanimous selection to the ASUN All-Freshman Team.
Sophomore goalkeeper Grace Merrill and sophomore midfielder Madison Rapier also made appearances on the ASUN All-Freshman team last year. Merrill ranked first in the ASUN in saves (165) and was fourth in save percentage (39.1). She also ranked 24th in the country in saves per game (dljidfd). Rapier ranked second on the Flashes in draw controls (39) and caused 13 turnovers last season.
Other notable returnees on offense are sophomores Megan Kozar, Graceyn Dean, Meghan Cawood and Eva Nikolai. Â
Kozar started 10 games for the Flashes and recorded 26 goals and nine assists. She posted a career-high seven goals against Detroit Mercy. Dean was fourth on the team with 20 points (12g, 8a). Cawood and Nikolai specialize in the midfield and on draw controls, ranking third (36) and fourth (32) on the team respectively.
The defensive third of the field is locked down with sophomores Maddy Mead, Carlee Cook, Hailee Andry and Anna Woodhams.Â
Mead started only five games and saw limited action as she was returning from a knee injury last season but is primed to make an impact for the Flashes in 2020. Cook is a force on defense, imposing physicality and consistency for the Flashes. Andry – a team captain last season – was second on the team in caused turnovers (15) and fifth on the team in ground balls (20). Woodhams has done it all in with the Flashes. The walk-on started games at attack last season before switching to defense. She has the ability to play all over the field and gives Kent State tremendous versatility.
In addition to the returners, several Kent State freshmen are poised to make an immediate impact in the program's second season. Attacker Morgan Kubicki, midfielder Lexi Piekarski and defender Delaney Knipp will play key roles in the Flashes' 2020 campaign.
Scouting Ohio State
The Buckeyes (2-0) are off to a great start to their 2020 season. They opened their season with victories over Duquesne and Robert Morris.
Ohio State is led by senior attacker Liza Hernandez. Through two games she leads the Buckeyes in points (4g, 2a) and ranks second on the team in ground balls (6) and caused turnovers (3).
Freshman Ashley Turner began her collegiate career with a three-goal game against Duquesne. She is tied for third on the team with four points (3g, 1a).
Senior goalkeeper Jill Rizzo leads the country in total saves (18). She boasts a .519 save percentage which ranks 17th in the country.
Follow the Flashes
Fans can follow live stats of this Wednesday's game here. For more information on the lacrosse team, follow Kent State Lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
