Kent State University
Buffalo
Flashes to Face Buffalo in Regular Season Finale
10/26/2022 12:31:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team will look to secure its spot in the in the Mid-American Conference tournament in the final game of the regular season against Buffalo on Thursday, Oct. 27, at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Golden Flashes (4-6-7, 4-1-5 MAC) launched a late comeback effort on Sunday to force a 2-2 draw with Central Michigan.
Redshirt senior Tianna Harris scored the first brace of her collegiate career against the Chippewas, ensuring that the Flashes secured a much-needed point as the regular season comes to a close. After trailing 2-0 in the second half, Harris cut the lead in half in the 67th minute after receiving a perfectly-placed pass from freshman Abby Breitschuh. Just seven minutes later, Harris capitalized again, this time after Central Michigan's keeper was unable to hang onto a free kick from sophomore Alisa Arthur. The ball careened back to Harris' right foot, and the Whitby, Ontario native knocked home the equalizer.
Harris is now tied for the team lead in goals on the year with three and has tallied 11 goals in her illustrious Flashes career.
She's Her
Thanks to her herculean effort last week, Harris was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Her two second-half goals against Central Michigan were enough to force a tie and secure a point in the postseason race, and against Ball State on Thursday, she anchored the Flashes' back line and helped the defense earn their fourth shutout of conference play, holding the conference's top scoring team to just one shot on goal.
Harris is the third Golden Flash to earn weekly conference honors this season. Junior Dalaney Ranallo was named Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Kelsey Salopek earned Offensive Player of the Week honors after the opening weekend of conference play.
Postseason Push
The Flashes currently sit in fourth place in the MAC standings entering Thursday's contest. Buffalo sits atop the table with a 6-0-4 mark in conference play and, followed by Ball State at 5-1-4 and Bowling Green at 5-2-3. All three have clinched spots in the MAC Tournament. A win or draw against the Bulls on Sunday would secure the Flashes a spot in the conference tournament.
Scouting the Bulls
Buffalo (12-1-4, 6-0-4 MAC) enters Thursday's match on a 14-game unbeaten streak and has already secured its spot in the MAC Tournament. Jasmine Guerber and Arianna Zumpano lead the Bulls with seven goals each, while Ellie Simmons and Payton Robertson have tallied a team-high six assists. Emily Kelly has started all 17 games in goal and has posted 51 saves, 10 shutouts, and a 0.47 goals against average.
Series History
The Flashes and Bulls will square off for the 26th time on Thursday. Kent State holds the advantage in the all-time series, 13-10-2, and has won four of the last six matchups. A season ago, the two squads battled in a gritty double-overtime game, but neither side was able to find the go-ahead goal, resulting in a scoreless draw.
Follow the Flashes
For more information on the Kent State soccer team, follow Kent State Soccer on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional information.
