Flashes and Chippewas End Match in Tie

Thursday, October 21

Kent, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

Kent State University

10-4-2, 6-1-2

Central Michigan

7-7-1, 4-4-1

Central Mich.

Kent St.

Photo by: Mallory Neil

10/21/2021 10:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

(KENT, Ohio) - Thursday night, the Kent State women's soccer team took on Central Michigan at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium, with the game resulting in a tie, 1-1. This moved the Flashes' record to 10-4-2 and 6-1-2 within the Mid-American Conference with only two regular season games remaining.

In what could potentially have been the last home game for the Flashes this season, head coach Rob Marinaro's team came out excited for this one. Playing for a top seed in the MAC tournament, Kent State went to battle with Central Michigan, a squad with a .500 record within the conference and hovering around the last seed.

And with both sides having a tremendous amount to play for, this game was incredibly evenly matched. Central Michigan jumped on the board first right before halftime, when sophomore forward Elizabeth Chlystun netted a shot in the 45th minute.

But Kent State would respond, when, in the 60th minute, senior defender Tianna Harris nailed a shot to even things up (freshman midfielder Siena Stambolich would get the assist).

No other scoring would occur the rest of the way though, as each offense found ways to reach the opposition's box, but couldn't quite finish off the drive. Kent State had more shots than Central Michigan, 18-15, but the Chippewas had more shots on-goal, 8-7. The Flashes had more corner kicks though, 9-6, as well as saves, 7-6. Kent State was also given two yellow cards, compared to CMU's one.

At one point in the first half, freshman midfield Alisa Arthur took a shot that was a possible Flashes goal, with the ball bouncing off the crossbar and perhaps crossing the white line during afterwards. However, the call on the field was no goal, and video review is not utilized in soccer, so the Flashes were left wondering what could have been.

Despite the tie though, Kent State actually gained ground in the MAC standings Thursday, due to Bowling Green losing to Buffalo, propelling the Flashes to second place in the conference. And with a pair of road matches at Eastern Michigan and first-place Ohio looming large on the horizon, the Flashes are looking ahead with confidence and determination. The first of those last two games, at Eastern Michigan, is set to take place Sunday at 1 PM.