Kent State University
(1-6)
Ball State
(1-4)
Flashes Open MAC Play with Hefner’s First Win
9/20/2024 5:03:00 PM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State field hockey team opened MAC conference play on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Ball State, the first win of the season and the first win under head coach Heather Hefner. Additionally, Friday's result marks the 15th consecutive win for the Flashes over the Cardinals.
The first quarter of the match was a defensive stalemate, as the teams combined for just one shot on goal. The second quarter commenced in a similar fashion until Kent State was finally able to break the deadlock. With just a minute and 30 seconds remaining in the first half, Maia Sarrabayrouse's effort toward goal was redirected in by Eva Usoz to give the Flashes a 1-0 lead. Usoz continues her strong sophomore season as the goal brings her team-leading tally of points to seven.
The Flashes' defense was rock solid in the first half, as starting goalkeeper Lieve Jansen did not have to make a single save to preserve the shutout heading into the second half. The third quarter ensued similarly to the first half, with just one shot on goal registered between both teams. The Flashes were able to really assert their dominance in the fourth quarter, forcing seven saves from the Ball State goalkeeper to keep the score at 1-0. Despite being unable to convert on these fourth-quarter opportunities, a strong all-around defensive effort saw the match end 1-0 in favor of Kent State.
Goalkeepers Jansen and Allison Wood split halves in goal in what was the Flashes' first shutout of the season. Wood recorded the only save for Kent State in the fourth quarter.
Next up for the Flashes is a road trip to the east coast, where Kent State will continue MAC play by visiting Longwood on Friday before a big non-conference matchup against Wake Forest in Winston-Salem the following Sunday.
Team Stats
USOZ, Eva
Assisted By: SARRABAYROUSE
GOAL by KENTST USOZ, Eva (FIRST GOAL), Assist by SARRABAYROUSE.
28:25
