Kent State University
2-3, 0-1MAC
Wofford
1-2, 0-0Big South
Kozar Wins It For Flashes In OT
2/27/2022 4:39:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Kent State lacrosse team went on the road Sunday to take on Wofford, defeating the Terriers in thrilling, game-winning, overtime fashion, 11-10. This is the second win in a row for the Golden Flashes on this trip to South Carolina, following a victory over Presbyterian on Friday.
To relay the story of Sunday's game, we have to begin at the very end, when senior Megan Kozar found the back of the net with 1:58 to go in the second overtime period to give Kent State the hard-fought victory. This was Kozar's fourth goal of the game and sixth of the season, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Kozar also scored a key goal with 13:58 to go in the fourth quarter, when Kent State capitalized on having a woman-up advantage to cut their deficit to two.
Further aiding Kent State's comeback was Kenzie Sklar's goal at the 10:21 mark, assisted by Morgan Kubicki. This made the score 9-8 Wofford, but the Terriers would not roll over, putting their lead back at two with 8:44 to go thanks to a goal by Shadan Bankston, assisted by Shannon Wulff. That would be last score by Wofford, as the rest of the game belonged to the Flashes.
With 4:11 to go and a two-goal difference to make up, the Flashes once again took advantage of their woman-up opportunity with another goal from Kenzie Sklar, her 16th of the season (a team high). But as the remaining minutes waned, Kent State still needed one more score to stay alive. And with 2:04 left, they got that score off of the stick of senior Kelli Bailey, who took the assist from Abby Jones and knotted things up at 10. Neither side was able to get another goal across in the last two minutes, and the game went into overtime, where Kozar would go on to end the match for good and send the Flashes back to Ohio with two straight victories in their back pocket, including a thrilling game-winner.
In the end, what may have proven to be the difference in this one came in the penalty department, of which Kent State only sustained one but Wofford fell victim to six, four of which coming in the fourth quarter. These timely penalties provided the Flashes with multiple woman-up opportunities late, and they didn't let them get away.
Kent State took less shots than Wofford, 33-29, but was able to make more of them count. The Terriers made nine saves split across two goalkeepers who saw action in the game (Aislinn Washburn and Ella Smithers), but Flashes goalie Madison Flannigan was able to save 11 and earn herself another victory. Kent State also succumbed to less turnovers than Wofford and had more ground balls.
Next up on Kent State's schedule is a home game against conference foe Robert Morris. That game is set to take place Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Dix Stadium.
