Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Ready to Take on Western Michigan
9/28/2022 2:42:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State soccer team continues Mid-American Conference play with its second consecutive road match, as the Golden Flashes travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., to face Western Michigan on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
Last Time Out
The Golden Flashes (2-5-2) took down rival Akron in the first matchup of the 2022-23 Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge. Sophomore Siena Stambolich scored her first goal of the season to give the Flashes the lead at halftime, and freshman Kelsey Salopek netted her third goal of the weekend to seal the win shortly after the second half began.
The Kent State defense had one of their strongest showings of the season against the Zips, limiting Akron to just six shots, zero shots on goal, and just two corner kicks.
The Flashes currently sit atop the conference table alongside Buffalo, the only two-win teams after the MAC's opening weekend.
Double Trouble
A pair of Flashes earned MAC Player of the Week honors on Tuesday following their strong showings during the conference's opening weekend. Salopek was named the Offensive Player of the Week after tallying three goals on five shots. She scored twice against Ohio on Thursday, including the first goal of her collegiate career, and added another against Akron on Sunday. Junior Dalaney Ranallo earned Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping lead Kent State to a pair of shutouts while adding two assists, both of which were knocked home by Salopek. Against Akron, Ranallo and the Kent State defense held the Zips to just six shots, none of which were on goal, and only two corner kick opportunities.
Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan (1-4-4) is coming off of an undefeated weekend to start MAC play, including a win over Northern Illinois on Thursday and a 2-2 draw with Bowling Green on Sunday, following a grueling non-conference slate. Senior Reagan Wisser leads Western with three goals scored, followed by junior Bria Telamaque with two goals. Graduate student Hannah Sargent has appeared in eight games in goal for the Broncos, tallying 38 saves, the second-most out of MAC keepers, and posting a 1.67 goals against average.
Series History
This will be the 25th meeting between the Flashes and Broncos, with Kent State holding the series advantage, 13-7-4. The Flashes have won five of the previous seven matchups.
Both of previous two matchups between the conference foes went to at least one extra period. Last season, the Flashes earned a 3-2 win over the Broncos in an overtime thriller in Kalamazoo. Ranallo scored early in the first half and junior Callie Cunningham netted the golden goal five minutes into the overtime period as the Flashes won, 3-2.
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.
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