Kent State’s field hockey team is getting used to overtime. 

The Flashes won 3-2 in the second overtime against Ohio University Friday, on a goal by junior forward Sydney Washburn. It was KSU’s third overtime victory this season.

KSU improved to 5-2 overall this season. OU fell to 2-6. It was the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.

Coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer said the seven-on-seven format in overtime forces teams to modify their style. In regulation, teams have 11 players.

“There is a lot more space,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “We put a lot of emphasis on passing, using the space and getting to the ball on defense.”

Washburn said that the team executed its overtime plan well.

“I think we are a solid overtime team,” Washburn said. “We are pretty efficient, and we can get the job done.”

The winning goal came at 4:44 at the second overtime. Katie Wuerstle got the ball from mid-field and ran straight past a defender. She then took it to the circle, where she took a shot that Washburn deflected off her stick and into the net. It was Washburn’s second goal of the game. 

“We came out of our defensive end, and we all attacked together,” Washburn said. “Katie took a shot, and I was able to get my stick on it.”

Washburn’s first goal of the day came 11 minutes into the first period, assisted by junior center-back Maria Cambra Soler. 

Five minutes into the fourth period, senior midfielder Clara Rodriguez Seto scored to put KSU up 2-0. Thirty-five seconds later, the Bobcats scored and then three minutes later tied the game at 2-2. 

“I think OU disrupted our play a little bit,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “They put a lot of pressure on us, so we had to adapt to a different way of playing them than we had in the past.”

The Flashes out shot OU 19-12 and 11-9 with shots on goal. Each team had seven penalty corners. Goalie Azure Fernsler had seven saves on the day. 

KSU has beat the Bobcats 11 straight times since 2013. The Flashes are now 54-26-2 all time against OU.

“I’m always happy with a MAC win,” DeSandes-Moyer said. 

The Flashes will travel to Central Michigan on Friday to take on their second MAC opponent of the year.

Jacob Hansen is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected]