Kent State field hockey split their games over the weekend, taking the win over Central Michigan on Friday and losing to Michigan on Sunday afternoon. 

The Flashes improved to 2-6 overall with a 1-2 record at home and 1-4 on the road. 

The win over Central Michigan was the team’s first conference win this season, giving them a 1-0 record, moving up to fourth place in the Mid-American Conference. 

“I think it was a really good weekend for us,” coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer said. “Something that we wanted to focus on going into this weekend was really setting the tone on Friday in our MAC game.”

Friday

KSU traveled to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, taking on Central Michigan (2-5, 0-1 MAC). 

CMU came into this game with a four-game losing streak, and Kent State added to it by getting its second shutout of the season, winning 8-0. 

Coming into the game, the Flashes scored five goals all season.

“Friday was fantastic; we executed on our penalty corners that we scored in the field of play,” DeSandes-Moyer said. 

Kent State came out strong early with two goals in the first quarter. Goals were scored by senior forward Jenna McCrudden and sophomore back Iris Bekker. 

The Flashes would add two more goals in the second quarter, going into halftime with a 4-0 lead. 

Kent State kept the momentum going with one goal in the th

ird quarter and three goals in the fourth to stamp its win.

KSU had 18 total shots, and 11 of them were on goals, while CMU only had four shots with zero on goal. Kent State had five penalty corners as well. 

Sunday

Coming off the win, Kent State was heading into a tough matchup at home against the No. 8 Michigan (5-3). 

The Wolverines came into the game after losing to No. 17 Ohio State 5-1. 

UM jumped out to a 1-0 lead late in the first quarter.

Both teams would be scoreless in the second quarter as Michigan would have a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. 

“We talked about being disciplined and putting pressure on the ball, and that’s when we put ourselves in good positions both offensively and defensively,” DeSandes-Moyer said. 

Coming out of the half, senior forward Katie Wuerstle would tie the game up at one in the third quarter before Michigan would tack on two more goals, giving them a 3-1 lead heading into the final quarter.  

UM would hold off Kent State in the final quarter to give the Flashes a 3-1 loss. 

The Flashes have scored two or more goals twice this season.

“Michigan’s a great team and we knew we were going up against a great opponent,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “We wanted the team to have that fight and effort through all four quarters, and I definitely think they did that today.”

The Wolverines totaled 12 shots, nine on goal; the Flashes had eight shots, two on goal.

Up next

Kent State stays home to take on Ohio University for its second MAC game Friday at 3 p.m. 

OU is coming off a loss to Ball State and sits at 2-3 overall and is in fifth place in the conference at 0-1. 

“Obviously, our MAC games are always crucial, and Ohio is always a tough one,” DeSandes-Moyer said.

KSU is 14-5 against the Bobcats historically, and currently on a 10-game winning streak. 

Three of the previous four games have been decided by one point.

On Saturday, Kent State will take on Ball State at noon in Muncie, Indiana.

The Cardinals are 3-4 overall and sit in third place in the MAC at 1-0. 

The Flashes have won 13 consecutive games, outscoring them 17-1 in the last six matches.

Kyle Kuchta is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].