Sophomore defender Abby Breitschuh generally does not play in the box during a corner kick. On Thursday night, that’s exactly what she did as she put away a header in the 89th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for the Flashes over Eastern Michigan. 

“To score one late in the game like that is pure sacrifice,” coach Rob Marinaro said. “We got to the end and pulled off another great win.”

KSU improved to 6-2-2 overall and has won four consecutive games; they sit alone at the top of the Mid-American Conference at 3-0. 

EMU falls to 1-5-5 on the season and is in seventh place in the conference at 1-1-1.

The corner kick was fired in by senior midfielder Siena Stambolich as Breitschuh scored her first career goal.

“When you defend, and you get to score, and you win the game, all the defending, and the running and the tackles, it all pays off,” Breitschuh said. 

The Flashes started off early with a goal by freshman forward Josie Morgan in the 14th minute. 

“You gotta give her tons of credit for putting us on the board early,” Marinaro said.

Morgan has scored three goals on the season.

Eastern Michigan responded with an equalizer in the 35th minute with a goal from defender Mary Grimes off a corner kick.

Both teams were in a stalemate after halftime as Kent State was able to dominate possession.

The Flashes had 22 shots compared to Eastern Michigan’s 11.

“We need to get the complete game going,” Marinaro said. “Stepping up and taking care of business, winning the game, those are things you just can’t teach, just pure grit and fight.”

The Flashes will now travel to Oxford, Ohio, taking on Miami at 1 p.m.

The RedHawks are 3-7-1 overall and are tied for last place in the MAC, with Akron at 0-3. 

All-time KSU is 11-21-6 against Miami, losing two of the previous three games played in Oxford.

Matthew Franos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected]