Flashes Fall in MAC Championship Thriller

Thursday, November 7

Oxford, Ohio

11:30 a.m.

Kent State University

(7-12)

James Madison

(14-5)

Kent State

James Madison

11/7/2024 2:43:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio – The Kent State field hockey team played their second game in consecutive days at the MAC Championship on Thursday, in the semifinal against James Madison. The Flashes' comeback fell just short as the one-seed Dukes held on to a 3-2 victory.

James Madison wasted no time on the attacking front, registering 14 shots in the first half. Just eight minutes into the match, the Dukes found the opening goal to gain a 1-0 lead. James Madison wasted no time doubling their lead, finding their second goal of the match five minutes later to take a 2-0 lead in the first quarter. Despite not registering a shot in the first half, the Flashes' defense held the Dukes scoreless in the second quarter to take a 2-0 deficit to the half.

The Flashes grew into the match offensively as the third quarter commenced. Kent State recorded their first two shots of the match on their first two penalty corners in the period, providing a prominent threat to the James Madison goal. Despite this pressure, the Dukes added an insurance goal through a penalty stroke to take a 3-0 lead into the fourth quarter.

Positive momentum turned into on-field results for the Flashes in the fourth quarter as they chipped into the three-goal deficit. The Flashes out-shot James Madison 7-3 in the final period, putting immense pressure on the Duke's goal. With just over seven minutes remaining in the match, Madison Leety got a touch on a ball fired into the arc by Arden Goddard-Despot for her first goal of the season to make the score 3-1.

With the comeback underway, the Flashes continued to put pressure on the Duke's cage. With three minutes remaining in the match, Kent State earned a penalty stroke, which was buried by Bella Carpenter for her fourth goal of the season to pull the Flashes within one. Unfortunately for Kent State, it was just too little, too late as James Madison was able to hold on for the 3-2 win.

Kent State wraps up year one of the Heather Hefner era with a 7-12 overall record, a 5-3 record in MAC play, and a MAC Championship semifinal appearance. The team concluded the season winning seven of their final 13 games before falling just short of a MAC Championship final appearance.