Kent State University
James Madison
Important Weekend Road Matchups Await Flashes
10/10/2024 3:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio - The Kent State field hockey team (3-8, 2-1 MAC) returns to action this weekend as they hit the road for two massive contests. The Flashes will head to James Madison on Friday to take on the Dukes at 3 p.m. before heading to Columbus to face no. 4 Ohio State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
About the Flashes
Kent State is riding high after claiming a 4-3 fly-the-flag shootout victory over Michigan State in East Lansing on Sunday, recovering from a narrow 1-0 defeat to App State on Friday. Across the two matches, freshman goalkeeper Lieve Jansen tallied 16 saves and forced three unsuccessful penalty shootout attempts to earn MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. In the Michigan State contest, a solo effort from Emma Rolston opened the scoring for the Flashes, before Maybritt Duwel and Agustina Florio found the back of the cage via assists by Eva Usoz and Rolston respectively. After a strong defensive effort throughout the second half and overtime, successful penalty attempts by Emma Seger, Rolston, and Florio brought the Flashes their first non-conference win of the season.
Scouting James Madison
The Dukes enter Friday's match 3-0 in MAC conference play. Additionally, James Madison is currently riding a four-game win streak featuring victories over Central Michigan, Queens (N.C.), Ohio, and Richmond. Last weekend, the Dukes recorded a 5-1 win at Ohio on Friday before claiming a 2-1 victory at home over Richmond on Sunday. James Madison is led up front by Alice Roeper, who has recorded team highs of seven goals and three assists this season.
Scouting #4 Ohio State
The Buckeyes, ranked fourth in the most recent NFHCA coaches' poll, are 9-1 heading into this weekend, suffering their first defeat of the season on Sunday to rival no. 6 Michigan 1-0. Ohio State has tallied four wins over ranked opponents this season and will host Penn State on Friday before facing the Flashes on Sunday. Makenna Webster has been a dominant attacking presence for the Buckeyes all season, with team highs of ten goals and nine assists.
The Series
James Madison leads the all-time series over the Flashes 10-4. Friday marks the first time the teams will face each other since 2014, when the Dukes won 4-3 in Kent.
The Buckeyes hold a 27-9 advantage in the all-time series with the Flashes. Ohio State has won the last two matches between the teams, including a 3-0 victory last season at Murphy-Mellis Field.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow Kent State Field Hockey on X and Instagram for more news and information about the team throughout the 2024 season.
