Golden Flashes Fall Just Short to Lafayette in Close Season Opener

Friday, August 28

Evanston, Ill.

3:30 p.m.

Kent State University

(0-1)

Lafayette

(1-0)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Lafayette	0	1	1	0	2
Kent St	0	0	0	1	1

Field Hockey team huddling around center field

Photo by: Reilly Hall

Golden Flashes Fall Just Short to Lafayette in Close Season Opener

8/28/2026 7:23:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. – Kent State battled hard against Lafayette on the road in Evanston on Friday afternoon, losing 1-2 in a defensive battle.

Lafayette controlled the offensive tempo for most of the first quarter, consistently getting into Kent State territory to hold a 5-1 shot advantage over the Golden Flashes. The Leopards also tallied a pair of penalty corners in the first quarter to put more pressure on KSU's defensive front.

Despite the offensive statistical advantage, fifth-year Liberty transfer goalkeeper Michaela Skinner shutout the Leopards through the first quarter of play. In her first game with the Golden Flashes, Skinner played very solid with four saves and just two goals allowed in a full 60 minutes.

Kent State ended the first quarter with a chance at a goal as junior forward Tess Gately had her shot blocked by Lafayette's goalkeeper Addison Kahn. Gately led Kent State with two shots on goal in the game.

Lafayette increased the intensity in the second quarter, tallying the first goal of the game off a penalty corner with four minutes left in the frame. Lena Thedrian was credited with the goal for the Leopards. Olivia Krey and Katie Gibb got their first assists of the year. At the half, Lafayette led 1-0.

Kent State flipped the script in the third quarter, controlling the ball and racking up five shots and two penalty corners. However, Lafayette's Addison Kahn didn't waiver as the Leopards kept the Golden Flashes scoreless through three.

Stella Malinowski increased the Lafayette lead to two with her first goal of the season in the third. Offensively for Kent State, senior midfielder Eva Usoz got a few good looks in the second half, leading the team in the game with four total shots.

The final quarter was a lot of back and forth until Kent State senior midfielder Sophia Livingston found the back of the net for her first collegiate career goal. The goal gave the Golden Flashes some energy and cut the lead to one with roughly half a minute left. However, the Leopards were able to run out the clock and end KSU's comeback just short.

Up Next

The Golden Flashes will remain in Evanston for a Sunday game against VCU at 2:30 pm. The Rams started their season with a loss to defending national champion Northwestern.

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