Kent State University
UMass
11/4/2026 6:32:00 PM | Field Hockey
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State Field Hockey team will square off against nationally-5th-ranked UMass tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in the MAC Tournament Semifinals.
The Minutewomen will be a tall task as they are the reigning back-to-back MAC regular season champions and hold a 17-1 overall record this season, with an undefeated conference record. However, if there's a team willing to stand up to the challenge, it may just be the Golden Flashes.
Last Time Out
Kent State has been playing some of their best field hockey of the season over the past few weeks, culminating in a 1-0 victory over 4th-seeded App State in Wednesday's MAC Quarterfinals matchup. The shutout was the second of the season for Kent State goalkeeper Michaela Skinner. The graduate transfer racked up nine saves in the shutout and helped anchor 12 penalty corner stops. Midway through the final quarter, App State's offense shot five consecutive penalty corners, all of which were stopped by Skinner and the stifling Flashes defensive unit. Offensively, Alexa Knott scored her second goal of the season, which ended up being all the offensive production Kent State needed to emerge victorious.
UMass Scouting Report
The Minutewomen have been one of the best field hockey teams in the nation this season, dropping just one game this year in an overtime shootout to 3rd-ranked UConn. UMass has given up just three goals in the last month, while scoring five or more goals on four separate occasions in that time span. UMass basically swept the recent MAC postseason awards, with 12 separate honors being awarded to the Minutewomen. Head coach Barb Wineberg won MAC Coach of the Year. Niamh McKenzie won Offensive Player of the Year with a conference-leading 19 goals on the season. Amber Fairon won MAC Freshman of the Year with 17 goals, which is the second-most in the conference. On the defensive end, goalkeeper Rozarie Mrazova has given up just eight goals this season with a 12-1 record and a conference-leading five shutouts.
Series History
The Flashes are 1-2 against the Minutewomen all-time with a -10 goal differential. Kent State were shutout 0-7 against UMass at home earlier in the year on Sept. 25.
Up Next
If the Golden Flashes defeat UMass, they will play either 11th-ranked, 2nd-seeded host-school Miami (OH) or 3rd-seeded James Madison in the MAC Tournament Championship on Saturday.
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