Kent State University
Youngstown State
Flashes Take On Penguins For Battle of I-76
8/19/2026 10:02:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Youngstown, OHIO- Non-conference play will continue for the Golden Flashes(1-1) as they take the short trip east to take on the Youngstown State University Penguins of the Horizon League on Thursday at 6 P.M.
Last Time Out
The Kent State Soccer team opened up their road slate of the 2026 season against the Kentucky Wildcats of the Southeastern Conference with a late Monday morning start after various weather delays since Sunday. The Flashes held the lead for a total of 22 minutes, but ultimately fell to UK by a score of 5-2.
KSU got on the board first early in the match as junior Jules Donlinski scored her first goal of the season on a set piece from freshman Clara Monck to junior Allison Collins, who found Dolinski for an open shot in front of the goal in the seventh minute.
The Wildcats put the equalizer in the back of the net in the 29th minute to bring the score at 1-1 where it would remain in the second half. Kentucky would go on to score four goals in a span of 31 minutes late in the second half.
However, the Flashes weren't going away quietly as they scored a goal in the 68th minute to bring the score to 3-2 in favor of UK. Senior Ava Todd was able to score on a corner kick from fellow senior Kiyomi McCausland. Todd was able to perfectly place the shot off the left post and in the back of the net from her right foot, scoring her first goal since the 2024 season.
The blue and gold scored both of their goals on just two shots throughout the game while the Wildcats shot the ball 25 times with 13 of them being on target. Kent State also scored on their lone corner kick, while Kentucky tallied 12 corner kicks.
Junior goalkeeper Emma Klein played all 90 minutes in net for the Flashes as she was able to record eight saves on the road in Lexington.
Scouting The Penguins
Youngstown State has started the season with an 0-2 record, but they have held tough against two power four opponents in both of their contests. That included a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh and a 3-1 loss to Indiana.Â
Last season the Penguins finished the season with an 8-10-2 record including a 6-2-2 conference record and a trip to the Horizon League tournament after a third place finish in the regular season. They were picked to finish third again in the preseason poll for the 2026 season.
Sarah Felder returns as a senior forward that led the team in goals last season with eight goals and three assists. She was also able to score in the first game of the season this year against Pittsburgh.Â
Ghita Haouzi was the lone scorer in the Penguins' game against Indiana while Kamryn Rosa and Baylee Williams return as names to watch as All-conference honorees from a season ago. Kendall Sears has accumulated eight saves so far this season for YSU as she has played in all 180 minutes for her squad.
Series History
Thursday's meeting will be the 16th all-time meeting between the two schools with Kent State holding the series lead with a record of 12-2-1. The Flashes won the last meeting a year ago by a score of 5-1 in Kent.
Up Next
After a trip down I-76 to battle the Penguins, the Flashes will return home for their back to school kickoff where they will host No. 15 Kansas of the Big 12. First kick is set for 1 P.M. at Zoeller Field at Dix Stadium.
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