Kent State University
13-4-3, 7-1-3
Ohio
11-6-3, 7-1-3
Flashes Beat Ohio in Semifinals, 3-2, Advance to MAC Championship
11/4/2021 9:34:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(BOWLING GREEN, Ohio) - The Kent State women's soccer team took on Ohio in the Mid-American Conference tournament semifinals Thursday night, beating the Bobcats, 3-2. The third-seeded Flashes now advance to the MAC Championship game to battle first-seeded Bowling Green for the conference title.
The Flashes started off in an early hole in this one, with Ohio forward Abby Townsend scoring in the third minute, assisted by midfielder/forward Madison Clayton. Before many fans were even able to get situated, Kent State was already in an unenviable position.
But Kent State had come too far and had too much on the line to roll over and let that single goal put an end to their incredible season. Just before halftime, redshirt senior forward Cameron Shedenhelm broke free and found the back of the net for the 12th time this year, assisted by sophomore defender Dalaney Ranallo, making the score 1-1 at the intermission.
Redshirt senior Karly Hellstrom would then put the Flashes out in front in the 54th minute, when her goal off of an assist by Shedenhelm made its way past Bobcats goalkeeper Sam Wexell.
However, the tides of the game would turn later in the second half, starting in the 68th minute, when forward/defender Regan Berg headed a ball through for Ohio, tying things back up (Madison Clayton got the assist). Then in the 73rd minute, Kent State caught a tough break when junior goalkeeper Sarah Melén was given a red card, ejecting the Flashes' reliable goalie and putting them at a one-player disadvantage.
The Flashes would show their grit and strength following this unfortunate turn of events, not losing focus and keeping their foot firmly pressed down on the gas pedal. And in the 86th minute, that determination paid off for Kent State, when Karly Hellstrom knocked through a successful penalty kick attempt, making the score 3-2 KSU with only minutes to play.
Ohio would do everything in their power to get the ball past Kent State and force overtime, but it would be to no avail. The Flashes defense, along with freshman goalkeeper Heidi Marshall, would in essence erect a steel wall across the front of the Kent State goalposts, not letting anything through. And when time ran out, the Flashes were still on top.
Pandemonium ensued as Kent State was headed to its first MAC Championship game since 2016 and third overall.
Coincidentally, Kent State's first trip to the finals in 2005 was also played against Bowling Green, who Kent State prepares to take on at 1 PM Sunday. That game ended in a 3-2 Falcons win after a penalty kick shootout; head coach Rob Marinaro, who was the head coach at the time as well, would like to see a different result this time around.
And with the way that this team has been playing lately, that result is well within the realm of possibility.
Team Stats
Madison Clayton (3)
Assisted By: Abby Townsend
GOAL by Ohio Clayton, Madison Assist by Townsend, Abby.
02:12
Cameron Shedenhelm (12)
Assisted By: Dalaney Ranallo
GOAL by KSU Shedenhelm, Cameron Assist by Ranallo, Dalaney.
43:39
Karly Hellstrom (6)
Assisted By: Cameron Shedenhelm
GOAL by KSU Hellstrom, Karly Assist by Shedenhelm, Cameron.
53:39
Regan Berg (2)
Assisted By: Madison Clayton
GOAL by Ohio Berg, Regan Assist by Clayton, Madison.
67:34
Karly Hellstrom (6)
KSU Karly Hellstrom PENALTY KICK GOAL.
85:06
