Golden Flashes Fall to RedHawks in Penultimate MAC Matchup

Friday, October 23

Oxford, Ohio

1:00 p.m.

Kent State University

(4-12, 3-5)

Miami

(11-4, 7-1)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Kent St.	0	0	0	0	0
Miami (Ohio)	1	1	1	2	5

Roos ten pas looking on in a defensive stance

10/23/2026 6:01:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

OXFORD, Ohio – The Kent State Field Hockey team were defeated 0-5 against 11^th-ranked Miami (OH) on Friday afternoon in a late-season conference game.

The loss doesn't considerably negatively impact Kent State's chances as the Golden Flashes can still clinch a MAC Tournament berth if one of two scenarios happen: Kent State beats Ohio on Oct. 30 or Bellarmine loses to Ball State on Oct. 30. The only downfall for Kent State would be a loss to Ohio in congruence with a Bellarmine win over Ball State.

The positive story of the game for the Golden Flashes was Ryli Zee shattering the Kent State Field Hockey program record for defensive saves in a single-season with her 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th defensive saves of the year coming on Friday afternoon. The previous record was Gina Van Pelt with 10 in 1992.

As a sophomore, Zee is already just two defensive saves away from tying the Kent State program career record held by both Gina Van Pelt and Clara Rodriguez Seto. Zee leads NCAA Division I in defensive saves and has helped Kent State lead the country as a team in defensive saves as well, with 16. The 16 defensive saves as a team ranks 2^nd-most all-time in Kent State Field Hockey history. Along with breaking the single-season record, this is the second time this season that Zee has tallied four defensive saves in a single game, which is also a program record.

Offensively, Kent State couldn't produce enough shots against the stifling Miami (OH) defense. The Golden Flashes were outshot 4-22 overall and 2-13 for shots on goal. Eva Usoz had the best chances to score for Kent State with a team-leading two shots in the game.

Miami (OH) took the early 2-0 lead in the first half off of back-to-back goals by Malena Sabez. The sophomore midfielder from Mendoza, Argentina leads the RedHawks with 12 goals on the year. One of Zee's defensive saves stopped a Miami (OH) shot at the end of the half to keep the game at a two goal deficit, swiping a shot in mid-air with her stick.

Miami (OH) wasted no time in the second half, however, as Mireja Gifra scored her first collegiate career goal to increase the lead to 3-0 heading into the final quarter. Kent State's defense did a solid job for most of the fourth quarter, but ended up letting up back-to-back goals within the last three minutes to fall in the game, 0-5.

Up Next

The Golden Flashes take on Ohio State on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1pm for the home season finale on Senior Day.

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