Kent State University
Michigan State
Field Hockey Kicks Off 2021 Fall Season
8/25/2021 12:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
The Kent State field hockey team opens the 2021 Mid-American Conference fall season with three games in a five-day span. The Flashes face off against Michigan State on Friday, Aug. 27, Saint Louis on Sunday, Aug. 29, and Ohio State on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The games against the Spartans and the Billikens both begin at 12 p.m. while the game against the Buckeyes starts at 4 p.m. All three games will be held at Murphy-Mellis Field.
Six of the Golden Flashes next seven games are on the road before another three-game home stand. They finish the season with their final four games on the road.
FLASH FACTS
Head coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer, in her third season with the Flashes, will have All-MAC First Team selections senior Helena Cambra Soler and fifth year Clara Rodriguez Seto return to the field. Rodriguez Seto led the Flashes in total assists (8) and in total points (20) last season. Kent State also returns their starting goalkeeper, Azure Fernsler.
The Flashes were picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll and received one first-place vote. Last season, Kent State finished 11-3 overall and 9-3 in MAC play, outscoring their MAC opponents 31 to 16 throughout the season.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
The Spartans finished the 2021 spring season with a 2-14 overall record. They return their top five point scorers in Isa van der Weij (7), Celina Riccardo (6), Lia Sinisi (5), Merel Hanssen (4), and Emma O'Neill (3).
SCOUTING SAINT LOUIS
The Billikens finished the 2021 spring season with an overall record of 3-9. They also return their top five point scorers in Demi Sahuleka (14), Emily Wastell (11), Jordan BeSore (5), Lauren Pendergast (4), and Grace Golembiewski (3). Sahuleka and Wastell also led the team in goals scored with 6 and 5, respectively.
SCOUTING OHIO STATE
The Buckeyes finished the 2021 spring season with a 7-9 overall record. They lost their leading point and goal scorer, but still return three of their top five point scorers from last season in Emma Goldean (14), Sarah Charley (11), and Katie Pyle (8).
THE SERIES
Two seasons ago, the Golden Flashes fell to Michigan State 0-1 and Ohio State 0-4 at Murphy-Mellis Field. They defeated Saint Louis by a score of 5-0 at SportPort International. Kent State now sits with an 8-24-2 all-time record against Michigan State, 8-25 all-time record against Ohio State and 15-3 all-time record against Saint Louis.
