Kent State University
Robert Morris
Flashes Prepare to Entertain Robert Morris and Cincinnati
3/1/2022 4:42:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
KENT, Ohio - The Kent State women's lacrosse team prepares for a pair of home affairs this week, as they host Mid-American Conference opponent Robert Morris at 4 p.m. at Dix Stadium on Wednesday, before Cincinnati comes to town at 4 p.m. on Friday.
About the Flashes
Kent State comes into this week on a bit of a winning streak, having won their last two games, which both came on their road trip through South Carolina. The Golden Flashes started off the winning on Friday, when they defeated Presbyterian 15-12 thanks to a big day from Kenzie Sklar. The junior scored five goals in the match to put her season total at a team-high 13. Sophomore Jackie Wolford and senior Kelli Bailey also scored three goals apiece for the Flashes, and senior Abby Jones contributed two of her own to add to the offensive onslaught. Additional goals from freshman Allie Lee and senior Madison Rapier rounded out the scoring for the Flashes. Jones and Sklar each got an assist along the way as well.
But head coach Brianne Tierney's bunch were just getting started, as they would then venture from Clinton, S.C. to Spartanburg to take on Wofford. Despite Wofford's strength at scoring at a consistent rate, Kent State kept the game close. Heading into the fourth quarter though, the Flashes still trailed the Terriers. But clutch goals by Megan Kozar, Kenzie Sklar, and Kelli Bailey down the stretch were enough to tie things up and send the game into overtime. And in the second overtime period, Kozar, the senior from Upper Arlington, Ohio, deposited a shot in the back of the net with 1:58 to go to give a jubilant Kent State team the victory.
About the Colonials
Robert Morris currently sits at 1-3 on the season. However, that one win was both an important and a decisive one, as it came in the form of a 17-9 throttling of fellow MAC school Detroit Mercy Wednesday. The Colonials scored eight of the first nine goals in that contest, three of which being scored by Julia Koterwas. They had 10 saves in that game, just as many as Detroit Mercy. But the Colonials got off a total of 38 shots, while the Titans only took 24.
In their most recent game, Robert Morris lost on the road to Bucknell, 17-6. In that one, the Colonials had more saves than Bucknell, 14-11, but were outshot, 42-24. Midfielder Jenna Irwin accounted for three of Robert Morris' six goals.
Last year, Robert Morris won both matchups against Kent State in the first year of MAC lacrosse.
About the Bearcats
Cincinnati is 1-4 thus far in 2022. After losing a close one on the road to Marquette to open the season, the Bearcats then proceeded to lose three of their next four games by an average of 11 goals, succumbing to Ohio State, Michigan, and Davidson. The one respite Cincinnati had from losing during that stretch came against Gardner-Webb, who they beat 15-9 for their lone victory of the campaign.
The Bearcats have a dynamic duo of scorers, with Kylie Nause possessing 17 goals scored and Ava Goeller owning another 11. This is more than double the next highest team total of five. Sophie O'Brien has carried the bulk of the goalkeeping duties, having spent 276:34 at the position and making 39 saves and allowing 72 goals. In a sample size of only five games played, Cincinnati has scored 30 less goals than their opponents, 78-48.
Cincinnati is 3-0 lifetime against Kent State.
Follow the Flashes
For more information on the women's lacrosse team, follow Kent State Lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
