Kent State University
Cleveland State
Soccer Kicks Off 2021 Slate at CSU and Home Against Dayton
8/18/2021 10:06:00 AM | Women's Soccer
(KENT, Ohio) - The Kent State women's soccer team is set to begin its 2021 fall season this weekend, as they venture to the shores of Lake Erie to take on Cleveland State Thursday at 7 P.M., before hosting Dayton at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium Sunday at 1 P.M.
About the Flashes
Head coach Rob Marinaro's team looks to improve upon a 2-5 finish in the shortened spring 2021 season, as they head into fall 2021 ranked fifth in the MAC East in the preseason coaches poll. Senior defender Tianna Harris and redshirt senior defender Karly Hellstrom lead the way for the Flashes, as the pair serve as the two returning players to start all seven games in the spring.
Offensively, Kent State looks to make up for the departure of All-MAC forward Vital Kats, along with leading scorer Yasmine Hall. But with a mix of talented upperclassman and underclassman poised to make a run with a full season now at their disposal, including redshirt senior forward Cameron Shedenhelm, junior goalkeeper Sarah Melen, and freshman midfielder Siena Stambolich, the Golden Flashes are ready to compete in 2021.
Scouting the Vikings and Flyers
Cleveland State enters play this fall following a 6-4 mark in conference-only play in the spring 2021 season. This year, they've been slotted to finish sixth in the Horizon League in the preseason poll. The Vikings return senior captains Essence Canady and Helena Novatsidis, the former having tallied six goals and two assists for 14 points over her career at CSU.
Dayton was 7-6 last season and finished fourth in the Atlantic 10, being ousted in the conference semifinals in a match against St. Louis. They scored 23 goals, had 24 assists, took 186 shots, and had 15 yellow cards. Sophomore forward Itala Gemelli returns for the Flyers, who led the team in goals and points, with nine and 19, respectively.
Follow the Flashes
Follow the Kent State soccer team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
