Kent State University
Youngstown State
Soccer Hits the Road for Matchup with Youngstown State
8/17/2024 2:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Kent, Ohio- The Kent State Golden Flashes soccer team opens the road portion of their schedule with a quick trip out I-76 east to battle with the Youngstown State Penguins on Sunday, August 18 at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
Kent State started the 2024 campaign on a high note with a 2-1 a victory over Cleveland State on Thursday night.
For the second year in a row sophomore, Josie Morgan, scored the first goal of the season. In the 36th minute Morgan dribbled the ball around the keeper and slotted the ball away into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
Kent state didn't take too long to double their lead thanks to a beautiful right-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box by Thea Helen Oberhoff. Siena Stambolich plays the ball into the middle of the field, Oberhoff took a touch and hit the ball from about 25 yards out and put it just over the keeper's head.
Cleveland State cut the lead in half with a goal in the 79th minute, but the Flashes' defense put a quick stop to any comeback allowing just one more shot that Heidi Marshall saved with ease.
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 Klain, 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 Youngstown State
Youngstown State was picked fourth in the Horizon League preseason poll (Receiving one first place vote), after going 7-7-3 overall and 3-5-2 in Horizon League play last season. The Penguins bring back 18 letterwinners from last season and five starters. YSU also brings back over 75 percent of their scoring from last season with all three top scorers returning. Their attack is led by junior Chloe Weiland who accounted for four goals and three assists last season.
Series History
Kent State holds the edge in the all-time series that dates back to 1997 where the Flashes lost to the Penguins 1-3. Then the Flashes went on a 12-game winning streak that lasted until the Penguins bested them 0-1 in their last meeting on September 8, 2022.
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.
