Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Host Western Michigan to Wrap Up Home Schedule
10/18/2023 3:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team wraps up the home portion of the regular season schedule on Thursday night against Western Michigan in a match with serious postseason implications at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on BoxCast with Dane Richardson on the call.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes (8-5-2, 5-3-0 MAC) came up short against Northern Illinois on Sunday afternoon, falling 2-1.
After gaining a 1-0 lead off of an own goal, the Huskies doubled their lead lead early in the second half. The Flashes showed no quit and tried to pull off a remarkable comeback in the second half. Mary Kate Lape drew a foul inside the 18-yard box in the 73rd minute and Giulia Giovinazzi buried the penalty kick for her first goal of the season.
The Flashes looked for equalizer in the final minutes, but the Huskies' defense did enough to keep Kent State from adding another tally on the scoreboard. Alanna Raimondo and Siena Stambolich led the Flashes' offensive attack from the midfield, putting a pair of shots on goal each, while Sarah Melén totaled five saves on the afternoon.
QUEEN ARTHUR
Alisa Arthur has had a stellar junior campaign for the Golden Flashes. Arthur leads the team in goals (6), points (15), shots (46), shots on goal (22), and game-winning goals (3) on the year and is tied for third on the squad in assists (2). She has scored points in six of eight MAC games so far, netting goals in five of those. The junior scored in three-straight games, netting goals against Ball State and Central Michigan as well as the game-winner in Thursday's shutout victory on the road at Bowling Green.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
With just three games remaining in the regular season, the MAC postseason race is officially on and is incredibly tight once again. Six teams make the MAC Tournament, with the two top-seeded teams earning byes through the first round. The Golden Flashes currently sit fourth in the conference table with 13 points, behind Western Michigan (18 points), Ball State (18 points), and Bowling Green (17 points). Only six points separate the top seven teams with nine points still up for grabs. Every team in the MAC other than Akron can still mathematically finish top-six in the standings. The Flashes wrap up the regular season at home against Western Michigan and on the road at Toledo (5th place, 13 points) and Buffalo (7th place, 12 points).
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan sits atop the Mid-American Conference table entering the final weekend of conference play. The Broncos (9-3-3, 5-0-3 MAC) are winners of two straight and three of their last four, with all three wins being shutouts. Head coach Lewis Robinson's squad is coming off their most complete team performance to date, a 3-0 win over intrastate rival Eastern Michigan, and have yet to allow more than two goals in a match in league play. The Broncos sport a 6-2-1 record away from Kalamazoo this season, with their two losses coming in back-to-back games against Michigan and Marquette.
Jen Blitchok and Abby Werthman lead the offensive attack for the Broncos, each tallying a team-high five goals and five assists, while Emily Pagett, Bria Telemaque and Reagan Wisser have all scored three goals. Mira Pierre-Webster has played every minute of the season so far, anchoring the Western defense.
Lauren Boafo has played and started every game in goal this season for the Broncos, leading the MAC with eight shutouts. The junior has made 33 saves and sports a 0.80 goals against average on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State and Western Michigan will face off for the 25th time on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Flashes have a 13-7-4 advantage in the all-time series, but the two squads have split the last two meetings. A year ago, Siena Stambolich scored her second goal of the year for the Flashes, but the Broncos were able to net three of their own to secure the victory on home turf. The Flashes have won three out of the last four meetings at Dix Stadium, sporting a 5-5-2 record overall against the Broncos at home.
GAMEDAY PROMOTIONS
Kent State Soccer's upperclassmen will be honoring their Most Valuable Professors during halftime of Thursday's match. Fans can treat themselves to a complimentary hot chocolate bar before the game and can enter a raffle to win exclusive Kent State Soccer gear throughout the match.
UP NEXT
Kent State will hit the road for its final two games of the regular season. The Flashes first travel to Toledo on Sunday, Oct. 22, for a 1 p.m. matchup with the Rockets (tickets can be purchased here) before facing Buffalo in the regular-season finale on Thursday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.
FOLLOW THE FLASHES
For more news and information about the team throughout the 2023 season, be sure to follow the Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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