Kent State’s soccer team was looking to defend home turf in its home finale, but the team fell to Mid-American Conference-leading Western Michigan, 2-0.

The Flashes now fall to 8-6-2 (5-4), while the Broncos improve to 10-3-3 (5-0-3).

Both teams were in a stalemate early, but a goal from Western Michigan in the 25th minute opened up the scoring. 

The Broncos did not stop there, adding another goal in the 27th minute to add to their total.

Western Michigan held a 2-0 halftime lead despite the Flashes taking seven shots compared to the Broncos’ four.

The rain started to pour down in the second half, as Kent State tried to get back into the game.

In the 61st minute, junior midfielder Siena Stambolich fired in a free kick from thirty yards out when senior defender Dalaney Ranallo put a shot on goal that was called back for offsides.

Coach Rob Marinaro disagreed with the call, and when he tried to energize his team, he was given a yellow card.

There was no luck for the Flashes, as the Broncos continued to control possession. They earned eight corner kicks compared to Kent’s zero. 

The top six teams will qualify for the MAC tournament beginning Oct. 29. The Flashes’ currently hold the final spot, heading into the last two regular-season games.

First, they will travel to seventh-place Toledo (7-7-2, 4-4-1) for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Sunday before heading to fourth-place Buffalo (7-3-6, 5-1-3) for the regular-season finale on Thursday. 

In the last seven

matchups, KSU is 5-0-2 against the Rockets and 4-2-1 against the Bulls.

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