Kent State University
Pitt
Flashes Prepared to Host Pitt on Thursday
8/23/2023 4:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – After an undefeated weekend to start the season, the Kent State women's soccer team will look to carry that momentum into their matchup with No. 21 Pitt on Thursday night at Zoller Field at Dix Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes forced a 1-1 draw with Colgate in the home opener at Dix Stadium on Sunday afternoon thanks to some second-half heroics from freshman Josie Morgan.
Both teams came out of the gates aggressively, but neither could gain any sort of advantage in the first half hour. Colgate was able to break the deadlock first, scoring off of a counter-attack in the in the 34th minute. Though the Flashes got a couple of very good looks at goal, Colgate held the 1-0 advantage at the break.
Morgan netted the equalizer for the Flashes in the 72nd minute. Taylor English intercepted an attempted clearance from the Colgate keeper, deflecting the ball to Alisa Arthur at the top of the box. The junior midfielder drew in three Raider defenders, then slipped the ball through the wall of red to Morgan, who drove the one-timer past the diving keeper on her lone shot attempt of the game.
Arthur now has three points through two games while English's assist was the first of her collegiate career.
Both teams were able to create scoring opportunities as the game clock wore down, but neither could find the game-winner.
FRESHMAN ON FIRE
Josie Morgan has had a red-hot start to her career, scoring two goals in her first two collegiate games. Just 23 minutes into her Flashes debut, Morgan netted the first goal of the season for Kent State, taking a picturesque pass from Callie Cunningham and firing a strike past the Oakland keeper. Three days later, making her first start at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium, Morgan scored her second of the season after Alisa Arthur drew in three Colgate defenders and found the wide-open freshman.
Morgan leads the Flashes in goals and points (4) through two games this season.
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 PITT
Pitt enters Thursday's game ranked No. 21 in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll after a 2-0-0 start to the season. The Panthers hold a 6-2 goal advantage through the opening weekend after beating Buffalo 2-1 and topping Drexel 4-1.
Pitt is picked to finish seventh in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll while fifth-year Amanda West, who is the Panthers' all-time leader in assists, was named First Team All-ACC for the second time in her career. West will look to lead the offensive attack alongside Landy Mertz, who was named to the TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week on Tuesday after tallying a goal and two assists in the opening weekend.
Ellie Breech has started both games in goal for the Panthers so far this season, recording 6 saves in 172 minutes.
SERIES HISTORY
Thursday marks the tenth meeting between Kent State and Pittsburgh, with the Panthers holding a 5-2-2 advantage in the all-time series. The Flashes' last victory over Pitt came in 2016. Jenna Hellstrom's second-half goal against the Panthers tied the program's all-time points record and propelled Kent State to a 2-1 overtime win.
GAMEDAY PROMOTIONS
Kent State will be debuting their knew black kits on the field Thursday night. Fans are encouraged to wear their best black Kent State gear as part of a blackout. The first 100 fans in attendance can also take home a black Kent State Soccer scarf.
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.
