Kent State University
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Western Michigan
Flashes Set for MAC Semifinal against Western Michigan
11/1/2023 5:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The No. 4 Kent State women's soccer team travels to Kalamazoo on Thursday, Nov. 2, to face against top-seeded Western Michigan for a spot in the Mid-American Conference championship game. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Fans can purchase tickets for Thursday's game here.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes (11-6-2, 7-4-0 MAC) opened up the 2023 MAC Tournament with a 3-0 win over No. 5 Northern Illinois on Sunday at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium.
It looked like the Huskies would open up the scoring when Sahara Zingano sent a shot on goal that Sarah Melén dove for but could not reach. The ball rebounded off the crossbar and fell to the feet of Trya King who capitalized on the empty net, but the would-be goal was called back when the offside flag was raised.
Feeling a bit of pressure, Kent State upped its game. Alisa Arthur scored off of a free kick in the 36th minute, shooting over the wall of NIU defenders and tucking the ball inside the left post. Seconds later, Siena Stambolich fielded a pass from Arthur outside the 18-yard box and sent a one-hopper past the keeper to double the Flashes' advantage. Tori Copfer sealed the win with her first-career goal in the 85th minute, sending a header over the keeper and across the goal line.Â
The back line of Kelsey Salopek, Dalaney Ranallo, Ava Todd, Abby Breitschuh, and Joey Skillen played exceptional in the quarterfinal, breaking up numerous attacks from the Huskies. The defense allowed only five shots on goal for the game, all of which were saved by Melén en route to her fourth shutout of the season.
FAMILIAR GROUND
Sunday marks Kent State's 17th appearance in the Mid-American Conference Tournament and the first since 2021. Of those 17 postseason berths, 15 have come with Rob Marinaro at the helm of the program. The Flashes sport a 10-13-5 record all-time in the conference tournament and are 2-3 when games go to penalty kicks. The Flashes and Broncos have squared off only once in postseason play, drawing 1-1 in the 2013 MAC Tournament after current assistant coach Jenna Hellstrom scored early. Western Michigan went on to advance to the semifinals in PKs, 3-2.Â
QUEENS OF THE CASTLE
Four members of the Golden Flashes earned yearly honors from the Mid-American Conference on Tuesday. Kelsey Salopek and Alisa Arthur each were named First Team All-MAC for the first time in their careers, though both earned All-Freshman honors during their first season in Kent. Two current freshmen - Alanna Raimondo and Josie Morgan - were named to the MAC All-Freshman team.Â
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
The Broncos (12-3-3, 8-0-3 MAC) earned the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and enter Thursday's game on an 11-match unbeaten streak.
Jen Blitchock, Jenna Blackburn, and Abby Werthman lead the WMU attack. Blitchock and Werthman earned First Team All-MAC honors this season while Blackburn was named All-MAC Second Team. Blitchock leads the team in goals (9) and points (24).
Defense leads the way for Head Coach Lewis Robinson's squad. Centerback Mira Pierre-Webster was named the MAC Defender of the Year and Lauren Boafo took home Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Boafo has started all 18 games in goal, totaling 42 saves en route to 9 shutouts and a 0.78 goals against average.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State and Western Michigan will face off for the 26th time ever in the 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals on Thursday afternoon. The Golden Flashes hold a 13-8-4 advantage in the all-time series but the Broncos have won the last two meetings, including a 2-0 shutout on Oct. 19.Â
UP NEXT
The winner of Thursday's semifinal will play the winner of the No. 6 Ohio-No. 2 Bowling Green semifinal on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. at the WMU Soccer Complex in the MAC Championship game.
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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