Kent State field hockey turned things around over the weekend, getting back-to-back wins on Friday over the Miami RedHawks (2-1) and on Sunday against Lock Haven (3-1). 

This was the first time all season KSU won consecutive games.

The Flashes improved their overall record to 5-9 and 3-2 in the Mid-American Conference, putting them in fifth place by their overall record and tied for third with their conference record. 

Sophomore forward Patricia Strunk capitalized on scoring, as she had one goal in each matchup over the weekend. 

Going into Friday, Miami was 4-0 in the conference.

“It was a good weekend for us,” coach Kyle Desandes-Moyer said. “Winning two games at home is a great way to have the weekend, and being senior day as well, it was just a nice weekend for us and the seniors and their families, so we’re happy to get the wins.”

Friday

The Flashes got a conference win to kick off their weekend over the first-place Miami RedHawks in a 2-1 win on Friday afternoon. 

It was a slow start as the game got underway in the opening quarter, but KSU struck first in the second quarter, going up 1-0 after being awarded a penalty stroke.

The RedHawks would respond by converting on a penalty corner, making it a 1-1 game in the third quarter. Leading scorer freshman midfielder Eva Usoz scored her seventh goal of the season, giving Kent State a 2-1 lead in the third.

Usoz is tied for fifth in the MAC in goals scored (7) and in game-winning goals (2) and is seventh in total points scored with 17. 

In the final minutes, Miami made it competitive, having three shots and two corners, but the Kent State defense was able to hold the RedHawks scoreless in the quarter to secure the win. 

Usoz had three shots in the game with one goal. Strunk had one shot and one goal in the matchup.

“Friday was a big game for us and really important for MAC play,” Desandes-Moyer said. “We knew it was going to be a battle between two good teams, and we talked about having to execute on any opportunity that we had.”

Sunday

Kent State headed into Sunday afternoon confidently to face off against the 4-9 Lock Haven Bald Eagles coming off the win over Miami. 

KSU came out firing, going up 2-0 in the first quarter with goals from senior forward Katie Wuerstle and Strunk. Wuerstle scored within the first minute of play from an assist by Usoz. Strunk would then extend the lead converting on a penalty corner.

 After a scoreless second quarter, the Flashes sat comfortably with the lead at halftime. Lock Haven had two corners and one shot on goal in the second quarter but could not score.

Kent State kept the pressure on with freshman forward Maybritt Duwel giving KSU a 3-0 lead, scoring off a rebound.

KSU would give up a goal in the fourth quarter, but that would be all for Lock Haven as KSU got the 3-1 win. Junior goalkeeper Cecile Van Eijck had six saves in the game, with KSU leading in shots 9-7.

Desandes-Moyer is proud of how well Van Eijck has been playing.

“She’s been super strong and composed,” she said. “She had a lot of action in both games, but she stayed composed and was able to play her game, so that was great.”

Staying Home

Kent State will be back on their own turf on Sunday for a conference game against Longwood, looking to make it a three-game win streak. 

Longwood is coming off two straight losses, getting shut out in both; one of them was to Appalachian State. Longwood is 3-13 overall with a 1-4 conference record, sitting in seventh place, which is second to last.

Game time is at noon.

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