Kent State University
West Virginia
Soccer Travels to West Virginia to Take On 15th-Ranked Mountaineers
9/15/2021 1:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(KENT, Ohio) - The Kent State women's soccer team travels to West Virginia on Sunday to face off with the 15th-ranked Mountaineers at 1 P.M. This serves as the Golden Flashes' last contest before getting into Mid-American Conference play the following week.
About the Golden Flashes
Kent State enters the weekend contest with a record of 4-2, having most recently defeated Oakland on the road on Sunday, 3-2. In that game, the Golden Flashes earned a hard-fought victory thanks to stellar play from multiple players. Senior forward Khyla Porter picked up a goal against the Golden Grizzlies, her third of the season, which ties her for the team lead with redshirt senior forward Cameron Shedenhelm. Shedenhelm herself got an assist on the Porter goal, giving her a team high nine for the season.
Senior defender Tianna Harris got her first goal of the year, as did sophomore midfielder Giulia Giovinazzi, whose clutch goal in the 81st minute broke up the tie and ultimately gave the Flashes the victory.
With a 2.88 scoring average, Kent State has the highest number of goals per game in the MAC. They also have the lowest number of saves of any MAC team, with only 12 thus far. However, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as the Flashes' opponents have only taken a total of 64 shots against them over the six regular season matches this season, which is 10th in the MAC.
Shedenhelm, redshirt senior defender Karly Hellstrom, and redshirt sophomore forward Lauryn Arruda are all tied for the conference lead in assists with three apiece. Shedenhelm is also tied for third in the MAC with nine shots-on-goal, for an average of 1.5 per game.
About the Mountaineers
With a record of 4-2-1 and 351 points, West Virginia was ranked 15th in the nation in the most recent United Soccer Coaches poll released on September 12 (WVU has a game on Thursday, September 16, which falls after the posting of this article). The Mountaineers defeated St. Francis 5-0 on Sunday, receiving goals from five separate players. Ranked third in the Big 12, West Virginia will be relying upon junior forward/defender Julianne Vallerand on Sunday, who leads the team in goals with three as well as points with seven. She's also taken 25 shots over the seven Mountaineers games, which is more than double any other player on the roster (her shots-on-goal total is 12, which is also double that of the next highest on the team at six).
Additionally, in the opening game of the regular season, West Virginia defeated Buffalo 4-0, who is currently ranked first in the MAC.
Follow the Flashes
Follow the Kent State soccer team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
