Kent State University
4-3-3, 2-1-0
UMass
3-4-2, 1-2-0
Kent State Soccer Opens Up Home Conference Play With A Win
9/25/2025 5:25:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Kent, Ohio- The Kent State Soccer team did not disappoint in their first home game in nearly a month as they took down the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen 2-1 in the first-ever meeting between the two programs as the first year in the MAC for UMass.
Both teams played physical games right out of the gate on both ends of the ball. Kent State got on the board first in the 21st-minute from an Olimpico as junior midfielder Samantha Miller put a perfectly-placed corner kick in the top right portion of the net for a goal to give her team heading into the halftime break.
KSU would build on that lead in the 66th-minute as Kelsey Salopek came quickly down the field and fired a long-range shot that found the back of the net. She has now scored a goal in each of the first three conference games of the season for the Blue and Gold.
In the 79th-minute, UMass capitalized on a KSU penalty in the box as Morgan Bellamy was able to capitalize with a penalty goal to bring it to 2-1. The Flashes finished with solid play in the back-line for the final 10 minutes to secure the victory at home.
Kent State led the game in the shooting category 12-9 in overall shots and 5-4 in shots-on-goal. The Minutewomen were able to control the corner kick statistic with a tally of 6-5. Leah Shaffer grabbed three more saves to her name in the win.
Up Next
The Flashes will now gear up for another home game on Sunday when they take on the Buffalo Bulls. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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Team Stats
Samantha Miller (3)
GOAL by KSU Miller, Samantha.
21:49
Kelsey Salopek (4)
GOAL by KSU Salopek, Kelsey.
66:38
Morgan Bellamy (1)
UMA Morgan Bellamy PENALTY KICK GOAL.
79:37
