Kent State University
Toledo
Flashes Stun Rockets in OT
9/30/2021 9:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
(TOLEDO, Ohio) - Thursday night, the Kent State women's soccer team traveled to Toledo, defeating the Rockets in an overtime thriller, 2-1. Freshman midfielder Alisa Arthur hit the game-winning goal in the 96th minute to propel the Golden Flashes to victory and improve their record to 6-3-1 on the season.
The scoring began when Kent State sophomore forward Callie Cunningham put one in the back of the net in the 32nd minute, giving Kent State a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime. That lead would be eliminated at the beginning of the second half though, when Toledo freshman midfielder Olivia Dault picked up a goal in the 50th minute. And that's where the score would remain for the rest of regulation, as neither side was able to punch a second decisive goal through to end things within the initial 90 minutes.
Thus, the game was sent into overtime, the second time of that occurrence for the Flashes in as many games. Sunday, Kent State took a 0-0 tie with Buffalo into double-overtime, but was unable to break the stalemate, and the game ended in a tie. However, that's not how the story ended Thursday in Toledo, as the Flashes found victory behind the right foot of Alisa Arthur, who got her third goal of the season after shooting a shot, rebounding the ricochet off the left post, and then sending the ball flying through the open right side of the goal.
From there, pandemonium ensued, as a smiling Arthur was bombarded with cheers and hugs from her joyous teammates.
Despite only taking 10 shots (seven on-goal) and two corner kicks, Kent State made it count when it had possession of the ball, and it came away with the victory in this battle between intrastate MAC foes.
This game stands out as a statement win for Kent State, as the Flashes, who were not highly touted prior to the season, made it very apparent to the rest of the Mid-American Conference that they are not to be taken lightly by beating the best team in the conference on the road. After quietly rising through the ranks and establishing a winning record behind tenured head coach Rob Marinaro, the Flashes, with the help of many freshman contributors, such as Arthur, are proving that they are here to play.
And they continue that journey Sunday night, when they return home to Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium for a 1 PM matchup with Bowling Green.
