Kent State University
Kentucky
Flashes Wrap Up Non-Conference Play at No. 21 Kentucky
9/12/2024 3:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Kent, Ohio- The Kent State soccer team travels to Kentucky to battle with the newly ranked no. 21 Wildcats on Friday, Sept 13 at 7:30 p.m. The match will be televised on SECN+
Last Time Out
The Golden Flashes (3-1-1) dropped their first contest of the year on the road against Duquesne Sunday 4-2.
The Dukes jumped out to a 2-0 advantage before the Flashes found an answer in the 57th minute off the foot of Alisa Arthur. The midfielder took a freekick just outside the 18-yard box and placed the ball just out of the goalie's reach. Duquesne didn't take long to respond scoring their third goal of the day less than a minute later.
Arthur netted her second goal of the day in a similar style to her first one, the senior took a freekick from outside the box and powers the ball over the goalie's head to make the score 3-2. The Dukes scored their fourth goal of the day in the 79th minute.
Rising in the Record Book
Alisa Arthur is rising in many categories of the Kent State record book. The senior is now ninth in both goals (21) and points (56) and is knocking on the door of being in the top 10 in assists and shots on goal.
Offensive Efficiency
Kent State has averaged over two and a half goals per game so far five games into the 2024 campaign, good for over double their goals per game (one) through their first six games in 2023. In front of goal the Flashes are converting on 30% of their shots on goal, two percent higher than their 2023 campaign's first six games (28%).
Arthur has been the catalyst for the offense, netting five goals and one assist in 353 minutes this season. Fellow forwards Samantha Miller and Josie Morgan have both found the back of the net twice so far. Other goal scorers include Thea Helen Oberhoff, Alanna Raimondo, Addy Cusick, and Ava Todd. The Flashes look to find the net against a stout Kentucky defense who has allowed just two goals in seven competitions this season.
Scouting Kentucky
Kentucky comes into the game at 7-0-0 on the season and a season-defining win over #9 UCLA on Sunday. The 2-0 shutout of the Bruins pushed the Wildcats into the top 25 earning them the #21 spot.
The Wildcat's stout defense is led by graduate goalie Marz Josephson who has started in all seven games in net for Kentucky allowing just one goal in 576 minutes. Josephson is the raining SEC defensive player of the week following a two-shutout week with wins over Murray State and UCLA.
The offense is led by senior forward, Mikala Woods, who has four goals and one assist on seven games played this season. The Wildcats average a little over two goals a game with over 20 shots per game.
Series History
Friday's match marks the first-ever meeting between the Flashes and the Wildcats. The Wildcats will be the first SEC opponent in program history.
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