The Kent State Women’s soccer team began their two-game road trip with a loss as they fell to the University of Colorado 2-1 at Prentup Field in Boulder, Colorado, Thursday.

The Flashes are now 0-1-1 on the season after failing to protect an early lead. In minute 20, redshirt sophomore Karly Hellstrom would give Kent State their first goal of the 2019 season with Cameron Shedenhelm on the assist.

“We came out really strong and defended really well,” coach Rob Marinaro said. “It was a great buildup to a fantastic finish with Karly scoring early.”

Kent State finished the first half with six shots on goal.

“Everybody had a strong movement,” Marinaro said. “It created difficulty for a great team like Colorado.

After Hellstrom’s early strike in the first half, the home team would strike themselves with a goal by sophomore midfielder Kayleigh Webb. In the second half, Colorado would pull ahead with a penalty kick via a foul on Kent State’s Maddie LaVigna. Senior midfielder Taylor Kornieck would score the go ahead goal in minute 64. The Flashes would go through numerous substitutions for the duration of the second half, but their change in schemes would not be able to net them a game tying goal, as they would fall on the road 1-2.

“It was a great effort,” Marinaro said. “We can continue our team bonding, which has been strong. Playing a top Pac-12 school like Colorado challenges us going into conference play.”

The Flashes will continue their two-game road trip today, taking on the Pioneers of the University of Denver at 9 p.m.

Dante Centofanti is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].