Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
MAC Play Ramps Up as Flashes Host EMU
9/27/2023 4:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's soccer team will look to build off its hot start to Mid-American Conference play when it hosts Eastern Michigan at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed live on BoxCast with Dane Richardson on the call.
LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Flashes (5-2-2) beat Akron in dramatic fashion on Sunday after starting conference play with a 1-0 shutout win over Ohio.
After a scoreless first half, the Zips scored the first goal in the game in the 63rd minute. With just ten minutes left in the rivalry game, that 1-0 score still stood on the scoreboard.
Alisa Arthur was able to find the equalizer in the 82nd minute. Callie Cunningham sent a pass forward towards the junior that was intercepted by the Akron defense. Arthur ripped the ball out from the feet of the Zips and found nothing but open space in front of her, netting the tying goal after beating the keeper off the dribble.
Not settling for a draw, Kelsey Salopek intercepted a clearance pass in the 88th minute just in front of the midfield line. After a couple of dribbles, she fired a shot from 30 yards out that sailed over the Akron keeper's gloves, scraping the underside of the crossbar before settling in the back of the net. The spectacular goal took the wind out of Akron's sails and secured the Flashes' third-straight Wagon Wheel win.
CLEAN SWEEP
The Golden Flashes were the only squad in the Mid-American Conference to start conference play with a pair of wins. Alisa Arthur and Kelsey Salopek were instrumental in securing six points for Kent State and earned MAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively. Arthur scored the game-winner in Thursday's game against Ohio, then netted the clutch equalizer against Akron on Sunday. Salopek played 81 minutes on the Flashes' back line as Kent State opened conference play with a shutout win over the Bobcats. She then scored the game-winner against the Zips in spectacular fashion, shooting from 30 yards out. This marks Arthur's first-ever MAC weekly award and Salopek's second. The sophomore earned Offensive Player of the Week honors after the first weekend of conference play a season ago.
Last month, Sarah Melén earned Defensive Player of the Week honors following a 10-save performance against Pitt and a shutout win on the road at Cleveland State.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Eagles (1-5-4) were winless in their non-conference schedule but opened up MAC play with an undefeated weekend. Eastern Michigan earned its first win of the year in the conference opener over Central Michigan before forcing a 1-1 draw with Ball State on Sunday. The Eagles' four-point start in MAC play is their best since going 2-0 in the first conference weekend in 2014.
The Eagles' offensive attack runs through Kate Robinson. Robinson has a team-high 11 points on the year and is tied with Megan Lukowski for the team lead in goals (3). She also leads the MAC with five assists so far this season.
Ella Holland has appeared in nine games in goal for Eastern Michigan, starting eight. She has tallied 33 saves and sports a 1.81 goals against average.
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State and Eastern Michigan will face off for the 29th time ever on Thursday. The Golden Flashes trail in the all-time series, 13-14-1, but have won the previous two meetings.
Last year, the Flashes traveled to Ypsilanti and knocked off the Eagles in dominant fashion, winning 4-2. Mary Kate Lape and Alisa Arthur each tallied a brace and an assist in the win.
GAMEDAY PROMOTIONS
Kent State Soccer will be celebrating all things rock as part of Rock 'n Roll Night. Be sure to get to Dix Stadium early to catch a live rendition of the national anthem played on electric guitar. The first 250 fans through the gates can take home light-up thundersticks.
UP NEXT
The Flashes will hit the road on Sunday to face Miami on Sunday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. Last season, the Flashes and RedHawks tied, 1-1.
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.
