Lacrosse Hosts Fresno State in 2021 Season Opener
2/18/2021 3:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's lacrosse team (0-0) hosts Fresno State (0-1) at Dix Stadium on Friday, Feb. 19, to begin the program's third season.
The Golden Flashes, led by Head Coach Brianne Tierney, are entering their third season and their first season in the Mid-American Conference. Kent State was picked to finish third in the MAC Preseason Coaches Poll released on Tuesday.
The Flashes return their all-time leading goal scorer, Abby Jones, who was named to the All-ASUN First Team as a freshman after totaling 52 points in her first season. Jones led the Flashes in goals, assists and draw controls in the shortened 2020 season and will be the driving force of Kent State's offense in 2021.
The team returns every single player that recorded a point last season, including attackers Megan Kozar and Madison Rapier, who posted 13 and 10 points, respectively.
There is experience returning at all three levels for Kent State. Eva Nikolai and Meghan Cawood headline the Flashes' midfield. Nikolai has been one of the most consistent Golden Flashes, starting all 23 games in program history. Cawood was second on the team last season with 18 draw controls and added five points.
The defense returns for the Flashes as well with Maddy Mead, Delaney Knipp and Anna Woodhams anchoring the back half. Mead led the Flashes with nine caused turnovers last season and started all six games.
The Flashes return goalkeeper Madison Flannigan who made five appearances a season ago and made 18 saves.
With a vast amount of experience returning plus a group of 11 freshman, the Flashes are building a roster to compete in the MAC not only in 2021 but for years to come.
About Fresno State
The Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Kara Concheck. The team dropped its season opener to UC Davis, 20-12, last week. Fresno State was led in the opening contest by Hannah Krats, who scored three goals. Sloane Skalstad added two goals of her own and won seven draw controls, while Sydney Skalstad also added two goals.
FSU is coming off a 2-6 season last year in which they lost three separate games by only one goal. Sydney Skalstad led the Bulldogs last season, scoring 28 goals in just eight games. She was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Rookie of the Year in 2019.
Courtney Walburger leads Fresno State in goal and made nine saves in her first career start against UC Davis.
Follow the Flashes
The Flashes' showdown with the Bulldogs will be streamed on kentstatesports.com and live stats will be available during the contest. For more information on the women's lacrosse team, follow Kent State Lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
Next Up
Kent State will take a week off before hosting Marquette on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Dix Stadium. The three-game homestand will continue on Wednesday, March 3, against Robert Morris.
