Flashes Beat Toledo in MAC Quarterfinals, Advance to Semis

Sunday, October 31

Kent, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

12-4-3, 7-1-3

Toledo

10-6-4, 5-4-2

Toledo

Kent St.

Photo by: Mallory Neil

Flashes Beat Toledo in MAC Quarterfinals, Advance to Semis

10/31/2021 3:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

(KENT, Ohio) - Sunday afternoon, the third-seeded Kent State women's soccer team faced off with sixth-seeded Toledo in a Mid-American Conference tournament quarterfinal match at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium. The Flashes won, 4-2, advancing to the semifinal round of the tournament, where they will face off with second-seeded Ohio on Thursday at Bowling Green.

Kent State showed resiliency in this one, fighting off a talented Rockets offense and finding a way to survive and move on to the next round. After Toledo scored the first goal of the match in the 16th minute off of a shot by sophomore forward Ellie Pool (assisted by McKenna Schultz and Olivia Dault), the Flashes responded mere minutes later, when freshman midfielder Siena Stambolich scored to even the score at one (assisted by redshirt senior Cameron Shedenhelm).

Both sides would have their offenses stymied for over 50 minutes after the goal by Stambolich, with no one scoring again until senior defender Betsy Lueck picked up her first goal of the season for the Rockets, giving Toledo a 2-1 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.

With their season hanging in the balance, the Flashes, under the leadership of head coach Rob Marinaro and his staff, rallied and emphatically proclaimed that they would not roll over and lose in their final home game of the season. At the 79 minute mark, sophomore midfielder Giulia Giovinazzi took the assist from redshirt senior defender Karly Hellstrom and put it in the back of the net, evening the score once more and giving Kent State a new lease on life.

Toledo scrambled to recover from goal, but were unable to stop the Flashes. In the 83rd minute, Hellstrom found herself with an opportunity to give the Flashes their first lead of the game, at a time when they could use it most, and she took full advantage of it. Hellstrom's successful penalty shot made the score 3-2 with only a few minutes left to play.

The Rockets, sensing that time was running out, shifted into desperation mode. But it was to no avail, as Kent State was able to reclaim possession and keep the ball away from Toledo. In the 89th minute, with time winding down, Shedenhelm broke free and scored her 11th goal of the season, putting the game on ice for the Flashes. And as she was subbed out just prior to the end of the match, the sizable crowd present gave Shedenhelm a standing ovation as she jogged off the field at Dix Stadium for the last time in her illustrious career at Kent State.

This was also the final home match for fellow seniors Karly Hellstrom, Khyla Porter, Tianna Harris, and Autumn Meisenburg, who undoubtedly felt a mix of emotions as the clock hit zero. But in the wake of a major tournament victory and the chance for a rematch with Ohio in the semifinals on Thursday for a shot at getting into the MAC Championship game, everyone involved in the win, from the players and coaches to the families and fans, surely felt immense joy and pride in the accomplishment of this club. And, of course, hope and optimism for the game to come.

So, as the Flashes look to continue their remarkable run, they can rest assured knowing that they've got a tremendous amount of support behind them.

The Bobcats had better watch out, because Kent State is playing inspired soccer, and anyone in their path is in for a heck of a battle.