In the last 13 minutes of the game, the Kent State Soccer team attempted back-to-back-to-back corner kicks to tie the game, after trailing for the majority of the game Thursday against Miami University.
The Flashes were facing a 1-0 deficit against the RedHawks at the time of the corners.
Kent State could not convert on any of the attempts, and Miami was able to run out the final few minutes of the game, solidifying the final of the game.
The Flashes fell short to Miami after losing 1-0.
“I’m just really disappointed in the opportunity that we were given, and we just didn’t make the most of it,” coach Rob Marinaro said. “I don’t think we worked hard enough”.
It is the Flashes’ first loss in three games and the first loss in conference play this season.
KSU is 11-23 all-time against The RedHawks following Thursday’s loss.
KSU’s defense held Miami’s offense to just two shots in the first half, but one of them turned out to be the game-deciding goal.
“I thought our possession was good, which didn’t allow them to have the ball, but we needed to do better on the goal,” Marinaro said.
The Flashes had scoring chances in the first half, but could not convert. Redhawks goalie Dominique Popa had five saves in the first half.
“We got to put together a much stronger 90 minutes,” Marinaro said.
KSU is now 5-3-1 overall and 2-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Flashes are tied for third place in the conference with three other teams.
The breakdown
The Flashes came into the game with three attempted shots in the first 20 minutes, which were all saved.
Both teams tallied many fouls within the first 20 minutes. KSU had five, and Miami had three.
Miami was able to break the tie in the 38th minute on a header that was able to get past senior goalkeeper Heidi Marshall, giving the RedHawks a 1-0 advantage early into the game.
Kent State had its best chance of the night to tie the score in the 77th minute when the team got three corners in a row.
“Our work rate needs to be stronger, and we need to be a little bit more tough,” Marinaro said. “We have to be tougher out on the field with those loose ball challenges, and the 50/50 challenges need to be won.”
Kent State could only attempt one more shot before the final whistle, making the score 1-0.
“We need to get a whole lot more out of every single player,” Marinaro said.
Many fouls were made by both teams with Miami at 13 and Kent at 14, but the RedHawks were the only ones to pick up yellow cards – the RedHawks played with three of them.
Miami attempted more shots in the second half than the first half, as the team shot it twice in the first half and five times in the second half.
Kent did the opposite by attempting seven shots in the first half and two in the second half.
Kent State used its three consecutive corners to match Miami with four corner opportunities apiece, but neither team was able to convert on any corner chances in the game.
Senior midfielder Alisa Arthur led Kent State with three shots, while senior midfielder Siena Stambolich and Arthur tied with two shots on goal.
Marshall had two saves on Miami’s three total shots on goal.
This was the first time Kent State has seen a shutout this season, and it’s first time the team has lost while scoring zero points since Oct. 19, 2023, when the Flashes fell 2-0 to Western Michigan.
Up next
The Flashes will travel to Athens, Ohio to face Ohio University Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.
The Bobcats are 6-1-3 overall this season and 1-0-2 in the conference. OU is one of the teams tied with the Flashes in the MAC standings.
The Bobcats won the last game they played in a 3-0 victory against Bowling Green.
KSU is 24-16 all-time against the Bobcats. The last time the two teams played each other on Nov. 5, 2023, when the Flashes lost 2-1.
“We have to bring out a much bigger fight and be willing to give a whole lot more in order to get results in the conference,” Marinaro said.
Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
