Kent State University
Cleveland State
Soccer Set to open season at home against Cleveland State
8/14/2024 3:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Kent, Ohio- The Kent State women's soccer team will kick off the 2024 campaign at home against Cleveland State on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.
Flash Back
The Golden Flashes went 12-7-2 last season and 7-4-0 in conference play. Earning the fourth seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Kent State went on beat Northern Illinois (at home) and regular season champions Western Michigan, before falling to Ohio in the Championship game.
Midfielder Alisa Arthur returns for her senior season after leading the Flashes last year in goals and assists last season. For her stellar season Arthur earned herself a spot on the All-MAC first team and United Soccer Coaches (USC) All Midwest Region third team. Defender Kelsey Salopek also earned herself a spot on the All-MAC first team and the USC All Midwest region second team leading the Flashes' defense to four shutouts.
Alanna Raimondo and Josie Morgan earned spots on the All-MAC Freshman team following their stellar seasons and look to take a huge step forward as they enter their sophomore season.
The Team
Coach Rob Marinaro will bring back of their 11 starters and including 84% of their goals and 75% of their assists from last year. The midfield trio of Arthur, Raimondo, and Siena Stambolich all return to propel the offensive attack with the forwards Morgan and Mary Kate Lape.
Salopek, Ava Todd, and Joey Skillen return to form a defensive wall in front of goalkeeper Heidi Marshall.
The Flashes also welcome ten newcomers to campus, 7 freshman and 3 transfers. Emma Klein, Samantha Miller (Michigan State), Thea Helen Oberhoff (Daytona State), Addy Cusick, Jules Dolinski, Allison Burkey, Kate Thill (Bridgeport), Ali Weibel, Ava Lukyan, and Katie Henahan will all look to make an immediate impact on the field.
Scouting Cleveland State
The Vikings finished their 2023 campaign with a 4-10-3 record, going 1-6-3 in Horizon League play. Senior forward, Erica Leinweber, will look to lead the offensive attack for Cleveland State as the team's leading returning scorer.
Series History
Thursday will mark the seventeenth meeting between with the Vikings, with the Flashes holding an 11-2-3 edge in the all-time series. Last season, the Flashes converted on two of their 5 shots on goal in a 2-0 victory up in Cleveland.
Up Next
The Flashes will hit the road for a short road trip east to face Youngstown State on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow Kent State Soccer on Instagram, X and Facebook for more news and information about the team and promotions throughout the 2024 season.
