Kent State University
Miami
Harris Finishes Off Shocking Flashes Comeback with OT Game-Winner
10/14/2021 6:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(OXFORD, Ohio) - The Kent State women's soccer team defeated Miami in a shocking comeback overtime victory Thursday, 3-2. This win improves the Golden Flashes to an impressive 9-4-1 this season, including 5-1-1 in the Mid-American Conference.
The game-winning shot came five minutes into overtime, when senior defender Tianna Harris knocked in her third goal of the season to propel the Flashes to the improbable victory. This goal, assisted by redshirt senior defender Karly Hellstrom, came only minutes after Kent State put Miami on the ropes with a game-tying goal by sophomore midfielder Giulia Giovinazzi was sent into the back of the net mere seconds before time expired in regulation.
Giovinazzi's goal, assisted by sophomore defender Dalaney Ranallo, brought Kent State back from the dead and gave them a renewed purpose for the rest of the game heading into overtime. Meanwhile, Miami, who was on the brink of winning the game, had to try to recover from being dealt that crippling blow just before time expired. And they simply weren't able to.
Prior to Giovinazzi's goal though, along with Harris' game-winner, the RedHawks had outscored the Flashes 2-1 on goals by junior defender Bronwen Sears (assisted by sophomore forward Haley Anspach) and junior forward Jaimie Tottleben (assisted by Sears). Kent State's first goal had come in the 63rd minute, when redshirt senior forward Cameron Shedenhelm kicked in her eighth of the season and 20th of her career.
The teams were neck-and-neck in almost every statistical category, which, given their relatively similar records heading into this one, makes sense. But in the end, Kent State takes away the W, making a strong push towards first place in the MAC, as the sun sets on this 2021 regular season. But before it does, the Flashes have a few more opponents to take on, starting this Sunday, when they host Ball State for Senior Day. That game is set to kick off at 1 PM.
