The Kent State women’s soccer team took a quick 2-0 lead Sunday, but Northwestern scored the next three goals and beat the Flashes 3-2.

KSU is 3-2 on the season. Northwestern improves to 2-3. 

Freshman midfielder Siena Stambolich scored the first goal 19 minutes into the game with an assist by freshman midfielder Alisa Arthur. Two minutes later, senior forward Khyla Porter added the second goal with assists from sophomore defender Dalaney Ranallo and redshirt senior defender Karly Hellstrom. 

“We kept possession, broke them down, and scored two wonderful goals on offensive opportunities,” coach Rob Marinaro said. “One was more of a possession type with a great through ball and a wonderful finish. The second one on a great set-piece and a second and third opportunity to make sure it goes in.”

“It was a really good, complete start. They were a little nervous in the first 10 minutes, and then we found our legs and our game. We were executing really well.” 

But Northwestern scored its first goal 11 minutes later and added another two minutes later. The teams ended the first half tied 2-2. 

Northwestern took the lead five minutes into the second half. The Flashes did not score again and managed only two shots in the second half. Northwestern had 10 corner kicks to KSU’s five. 

“We made some mistakes that can’t be made against a team like Northwestern,” Marinaro said. “They came back and they fought but unfortunately, it was a little too late.”

“The deciding factor was just that there were moments we were really high and doing well. Unfortunately, we just had too many moments where we had to gather our composure and play a little bit better.” 

The Flashes committed 18 fouls to Northwestern’s six, with nine coming in each half. 

“We could’ve done a little better with our composure and our defending as a team,” Marinaro said. “A little bit of that is just a by-product of our players trying to work hard.”

“We continue to learn. We’re going to continue to get better and just find that consistency at the right time. I’m really pleased with the team, but we need to learn to pull them off in the crucial moments.” 

Kent State plays at Oakland (1-5) Sunday afternoon.

Cole Oswald is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].