Kent State University
Northwestern
Kent State Soccer Puts Up Valiant Effort To Force Draw With Northwestern
8/24/2025 8:04:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Evanston, Illinois- The Kent State Soccer team turned in perhaps their most impressive effort so far this season, hanging tough with a power-four opponent on the road against Northwestern University for the full 90 minutes. Both teams scored later in the contest, as the Golden Flashes were able to force a 1-1 draw.
Despite spending the majority of the first half on the defense, Kent State's back-line played excellent throughout the first 45 minutes, including three outstanding saves from junior goalkeeper Leah Shaffer.
The same could be said for the first 30 minutes of the second half, while the KSU offense became more comfortable on the other side of the field.
However, it was the Wildcats who capitalized first on a miscue from the Blue and Gold's defense that landed the ball right into the possession of Northwestern's Liz Cardwell who passed it off to Kennedy Roesch, who put the ball in the back of the net to give the home team the 1-0 advantage in the 76th-minute.
Less than three minutes later, the Flashes pushed the ball passed midfield where sophomore defender Allison Collins found the soft-spot in the Wildcat defense; and drilled a long-range shot that went right over Northwestern goalie Nyamma Nelson in the top-right portion of the net to tie the game up at one a piece. That's where the score would remain until the final horn.
Kent State made the most of their shots as Collins' goal was the only shot on target of the day for the Blue and Gold.
Despite being outshot by Northwestern 16-5, the Golden Flashes won in the corner kick department by a tally of 4-3. Shaffer had her best day to date in a KSU uniform, accounting for six saves in the draw.
Up Next
The Flashes now head back home to take on a fellow Eastern Ohio foe in Youngstown State on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium.
Blue and Gold Travel Network
Fans looking to travel for games this year can use the Blue and Gold Travel Network to save on hotels while giving back to Kent State student-athletes by booking at www.blueandgoldtravelnetwork.com.
Follow Kent State Soccer
For complete coverage of Kent State Soccer, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram, and Facebook for news and updates.
