Kent State University
Colgate
Flashes Open Home Schedule with Colgate on Sunday
8/18/2023 6:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team will open the home portion of its schedule on Sunday, August 20, at 1 p.m. when Colgate comes to Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes opened the 2023 season at Oakland and started the year on a high note, beating the Golden Grizzlies 2-1 on Thursday night.
Just 23 minutes into her first collegiate game, Josie Morgan put the Flashes on the board. The freshman fielded a perfect pass from Callie Cunningham inside the box and fired a shot off her right foot, guiding the ball past the arms of the outstretched goalkeeper and into the bottom-right corner of the net.
The Flashes held a 1-0 lead at the half and added to their advantage shortly after play resumed. Thanks to a persistent offensive attack in the early going of the second half, Alisa Arthur was able to draw a penalty kick, but the Golden Grizzlies' keeper was able to knock the shot attempt away. The Flashes retained possession off the rebound as Ava Todd controlled the ball and fired her first collegiate shot attempt, but the ball was once again knocked away. This time, however, it fell to Arthur's right foot and the junior hammered home a one-timer for her first goal of the season.
Oakland put one goal on the board in the 60th minute off of a penalty but the Flashes stout defense held any chance of a comeback at bay, not allowing another shot attempt in the final half hour.
FLASH BACK
Last season, the Golden Flashes finished 4-7-7, going 4-2-5 in Mid-American Conference play and narrowly missed out on a spot in the conference tournament. The Flashes defense, led by the 2021 MAC Player of the Year Tianna Harris, held conference opponents to just 47 shots on goal, a league low, en route to five shutouts.
Midfielders Alisa Arthur, Siena Stambolich, and Kelsey Salopek tied with Harris for the team lead in goals with Arthur adding a team-high four assists.
In goal, Sarah Melén tallied 57 saves in 18 games, including a season-high 13 stops against Dayton.
WELCOME BACK, COACH
During the offseason, Coach Marinaro added another assistant coach to his staff, bringing Jenna Hellstrom back to her alma mater. Hellstrom played for the Golden Flashes from 2013-16, finishing as the program's all-time leader in goals (37), assists (33), and points (107). She became the first All-American in Kent State soccer history when she earned NSCAA Second Team All-American honors in 2016.
After graduating from Kent State in 2017, Hellstrom played professional soccer all across the world. Sis a former member of the Canadian Women's National Soccer Team who was called in as recently as February 2023 when she played for the Canadians in the She Believes Cup. She was also a member of the 2019 World Cup team that reached the Round of 16, and has had stints at the club level with Rosengard, Djurgarden, Vaxjo, Washington Spirit, Orebro FC, and Dijon FC.
SCOUTING COLGATE
Colgate was picked to finish seventh in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Coaches Poll after going 3-10-4 (2-4-4) a season ago. The Raiders return 23 players from last season's squad, including Ally Giovino, who finished second in the conference in goals and tied for seventh in points.
Emma Hickey made six starts in goal for the Raiders in 2022, playing 495 minutes and tallying a 1.09 goals against average and a .700 save percentage.
Colgate is coming off of a 4-0 win in the season opener on Thursday against Canisius. Ari Bezanson scored a brace in the win and Ellie Stokes logged a goal and an assist.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday marks the first-ever meeting between Kent State and Colgate. The Flashes drew even in their lone match against a Patriot League opponent a year ago after a scoreless draw on the road at Loyola.
GAMEDAY PROMOTIONS
As students return to campus, Kent State Soccer is attempting to break the program's all-time attendance record of 676. Fans who arrive to Dix Stadium early can take home a Kent State Soccer schedule poster and a toothbrush as the Flashes look to "Brush Away Colgate." Students who stick around until the end of the game will also be entered for a chance to win a Nintendo Switch.
Follow the Flashes
For more news and information about the team throughout the 2023 season, be sure to follow the Flashes on Twitter, Instagramand Facebook.
