Kent State University
Toledo
Soccer Set to Square Off with Toledo
10/21/2023 12:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – With just two games left in the 2023 season, the Kent State women's soccer team heads to Toledo on Sunday for a heavyweight matchup with the Rockets ladened with postseason implications. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+. For fans making the trip to Toledo, tickets can be purchased here.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes (8-6-2, 5-4-0 MAC) fell 2-0 to Western Michigan on Thursday in the final game of the year at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium.
The Broncos scored twice in a three-minute span to jump out to a 2-0 advantage, netting goals in the 25th and 28th minutes. The Flashes were able to generate a few more scoring chances late in the half after Western Michigan was handed a pair of yellow cards deep in their defensive zone, but the Flashes could not find a goal of their own before the halftime whistle.
Kent State struggled to find its offensive footing in the second half as Western Michigan was keen to let the time tick down holding a two-goal advantage. The Flashes were unable to put a shot on goal in the final 45 minutes.
With the win, Western Michigan clinched their spot in the MAC Tournament.
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 nine 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 Kent State's shutout victory on the road at Bowling Green.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
With just two games remaining in the regular season, the MAC postseason race is officially on and is incredibly tight once again. Two teams have clinched their spots in the tournament - Western Michigan and Bowling Green - while three teams - Akron, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan - have been eliminated, leaving seven teams to fight for four spots. The Flashes currently sit in a tie for 5th place with Buffalo at 15 points, two points ahead of Toledo, and can control their own destiny from here on out.
SCOUTING TOLEDO
Toledo currently sits on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, two points behind Kent State and Buffalo for the final postseason spot. The Rockets (7-7-2, 4-4-1 MAC) are coming off of a 3-0 loss to Buffalo on Thursday night but had won four of thier last five entering the week. The Rockets sport a 5-4-0 record at home this season, including four shutout victories.
Madison Medalle leads the offensive attack for Rockets, scoring a team-high seven goals along with four assists. Medalle earned MAC Offensive Player of the Week honors earlier this season while McKenna Schultz, the anchor of the Toledo defense, took home the Defensive Player of the Week nod.
Brielle Young has played in 15 games in goal for Toledo, starting 14, and is tied with Sarah Melén for the second-most saves in the conference (73). Young sports a .811 save percentage and has posted five shutouts, the third-highest mark in the MAC.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State and Toledo will face off for the 29th time on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Flashes have a 16-9-3 advantage in the all-time series and are unbeaten in the last seven matchups, including five wins. A season ago, Alisa Arthur scored early after a pair of tremendous passes from Siena Stambolich and Lua Suero to put the Flashes in front, but Toledo scored twice to take a 2-1 advantage late in the game. With under a minute left on the clock, Arthur sent a free kick into the box and found Dalaney Ranallo, who headed it home to force a draw with the Rockets.
UP NEXT
Kent State will wrap up the regular season on the road at Buffalo on Thursday, Oct. 26. Kickoff is set for 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.
