Kent State Field Hockey Announces Addition of Four Transfers
1/30/2026 11:38:00 AM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio — Head coach Heather Hefner announced that four transfers have joined the Kent State field hockey team.
Three of the student-athletes — Ava Murphy, Michaela Skinner and Riley Welsch — join the team from Liberty, where Hefner served as an assistant coach prior to being hired to lead the Golden Flashes in 2024. The final student-athlete, Alexa Knott, comes from Iowa. Both programs reached the NCAA Tournament and finished in the top 15 of the final NFHCA poll this past fall.
"We're excited to welcome four transfers to the Flash Family," Hefner said. "Each comes from a nationally competitive program and understands what it takes to compete at the highest level. Their experience in those environments, competitive mindsets, and character align with our values and the direction of our program, and we're excited to see the impact they'll make."
Murphy, a midfielder, appeared in 16 games with one start during her freshman campaign in 2024. She totaled one goal and one assist for the Flames and earned a spot on the BIG EAST All-Academic team in 2024. As a high school senior, Murphy was a NFHCA all-region first team selection.
Skinner, a goalkeeper, made 21 appearances in the cage for Liberty over the past three seasons. She played every minute of the 2024 campaign and totaled six shutouts and a 1.76 goals against average. Skinner earned NFHCA Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording back-to-back shutouts against No. 4 Duke and William & Mary. She was a member of the BIG EAST All-Academic team in 2022 and 2024.
Welsch, a forward, appeared in one game for the Flames this past season. She earned Scholar of Distinction and National Academic Squad honors from the NFHCA for the 2024 season. Welsch will be a second-generation Golden Flash, as her mother was a member of the field hockey program from 1996-99.
Knott, a midfielder/defender, played in two games at Iowa during the fall. The Cape Town, South Africa native captained her Western Province regional team in 2024.
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