The Kent State lacrosse team jumped out to an early lead against Stetson on Friday, but struggled to hold off the Hatters offense in a 17-7 loss.

Kent State scored a minute into the game on a goal by Abby Jones that came on an assist from Kelli Bailey. 

Stetson answered a minute later on a goal by Shelby Lehmann and an assist from Riley Reagan. The Hatters scored two more goals in the within four minutes. The second goal was by Hannah Mill on a from Reagan. Mill’s goal was followed by a goal from Taylor Zuberer on a free position shot.  

Jones kept the Flashes in it, however, scoring two goals in the 10th and 13th minute to tie the game at three. The Flashes offense surged but struggled defensively to hold off the Hatters, as Stetson scored seven more goals in the first half.

“We started off the second half a little bit behind and just weren’t clicking on the defensive end,” said coach Brianne Tierney. “We had some near misses on the offensive end, things just weren’t falling our way.”

Lluna Katz scored first for the Flashes 30 seconds into the second half. Katz scored on a man-up play with an assist from Katie Stachler. Two minutes later, Reagan scored with an assist from Lehmann.

Katz led the Flashes with four goals and was complimented by Jones’ three. Goalie Grace Merrill had five saves on the day while facing 22 shots on the goal. Despite struggling with offense, the Flashes won in draw controls 13-11.

“The whole game. I think we hit a lot of pipes, you know, kept getting shots, they just weren’t falling for us…,” Tierney said. “We were proud of how the team did on draw controls and with ground balls. But I think where we’re kind of faltering right now is turnovers and scoring.”

Kent State will take on Jacksonville State at 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 7. The Flashes will play at D.B. Milne Field.

 Amanda Levine is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].