Kent State University
App State
Golden Flashes battle in MAC Tournament
11/3/2022 2:38:00 PM | Field Hockey
The Kent State field hockey team (8-9, 6-1 MAC) is set to compete against App State in the 2022 Mid-American Conference tournament semifinals on Friday, Nov. 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Top-seeded Miami and fourth-seeded Ball State face off in semifinal on Friday at 11:30 a.m.
About the Flashes
The Golden Flashes secured the tournament's second seed after splitting the regular season conference title with Miami. The Flashes will face the third-seeded Mountaineers for a chance to earn the MAC's automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.
Kent State is ranked No. 3 in the MAC for shots (227). Danielle Hamm and Larissa Balachick are tied for No. 3 with most assists (8). Goalkeeper Ceclie van Eijck is ranked No. 2 in the MAC for saves (101).
A Golden Flash was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row, as senior Maria Cambra Soler was selected for the award. Patricia Strunk was honored with Freshman of the Year. Both players received All-MAC First Team recognition. Freshman Iris Bekker and Maia Sarrabayrouse were named All-MAC Second Team. Bekker, Sarrabayrouse, and Strunk also received All-MAC Freshman Team selection.
Scouting App State
App State (13-5, 5-2 MAC) comes off a nine-game win streak, with the last lose coming at Miami on Sept. 30. The Mountaineers are ranked No. 2 in the MAC for shots (261) and save percentage (.796). Friederike Stegen is tied No. 1 for most points (30) and No. 3 in goals (12) for the MAC. She also was awarded MAC Offensive Player of the Year. Carli Ciocco led the MAC with 12 assists and goalkeeper Addie Clark had a conference best six shutouts.
The Series
The Golden Flashes are 11-0 all-time against the Mountaineers, outscoring them 34-7. The first overtime game in the series occurred last season with Kent State winning 2-1 on the road. The Flashes won the only postseason meeting between the teams, 4-0, in a 2018 semifinal. s
This season, Kent State won 2-1 against App State in regular season contest. Both teams went scoreless for the first 45 minutes of regulation until the Golden Flashes earned a penalty corner and Agustina Florio scored. Jenna McCrudden secured the lead for the Flashes and scored five minutes later.
Up Next
The winner of each semifinal game will battle for it all on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. for the conference tournament title. The champion will earn an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. The selection show for the NCAA tournament will be held on Sunday evening at 10 p.m.
