Goals number three and four on the season for sophomore midfielder Eva Usoz propelled the Kent State field hockey team past the Longwood University Lancers 2-1 Friday.
“She is really a threat on attack right now and is also doing a great job on the defensive side,” coach Heather Hefner said. “She’s becoming a complete player and showing that she’s able to change a game and put the ball in the back of the net.”
The win against Longwood put the Flashes in a second-place tie with James Madison in the Mid-American Conference standings. Against the MAC, Kent State at 2-0 is behind only Appalachian State at 3-0.
Kent State only recorded four shots on goal against Longwood, but Usoz was able to connect on both of hers.
“There are a lot of awesome qualities about Eva,” Hefner said. “She’s a competitor and leads the people around her. When she is playing both sides of the ball, it inspires others around her to do the same.”
The Flashes picked up their first road win of the season. They will look to build off of it, as five of their final eight games will be played away from Murphy-Mellis Field.
“Our girls really found a way to be loose and have some fun,” Hefner said. “On the road, you have to be ready to come out and take care of business, and they did a really good job.”
Although the Flashes were riding high from their second win in a row, they were defeated 3-1 by Wake Forest University Sunday.
After the team’s win against Ball State Sept. 20, Hefner wanted to see a more physical team, and she was happy with that against Wake Forest.
“That was the big focus this weekend, and especially in Wake,” Hefner said. “I looked at the girls and said ‘Regardless of the score, I want this to be a relentless fight. I want us to have a template for what gritty looks like and what relentless looks like, and they did that.”
Usoz found the back of the net in the second quarter putting the Flashes up 1-0. This was her third straight game with a goal, and she added to her team leading point total, now at 13.
The goal was assisted by junior forward Emma Rolston and senior back Arden Goddard-Despot.
The match was knotted at 1-1 at halftime, and the Flashes saw themselves getting outshot 12-3.
Freshman goalkeeper Lieve Jensen was busy in the first quarter stopping all six of the shots on goal from Wake Forest.
Despite its gritty performance, Wake Forest was able to find the back of the net twice in the second half. KSU was outshot 17-4 on goal– yielding three in its two goal loss.
Kent State fell to 2-7 overall while Wake Forest moved to 3-6.
“It was a great match, and it was fun to play in, but we’re still looking for how we can play that full 60 minutes,” Hefner said. “But they did an incredible job, they were diving, consistent and executed the game plan they put in front of them.”
A good one at home
Kent State will come home to Murphy-Mellis Field to take on the Appalachian State University Mountaineers Friday at 2 p.m.
The Mountaineers are 6-3 and are on top of the MAC standings at 3-0 against the conference.
Appalachian State, a university in western N.C., has been affected by Hurricane Helene, and the team has been playing games out in Charlotte, N.C.
“In light of everything that is happening in the world, we’re looking forward to having them and being there for anything they need in the midst of bigger things than field hockey,” Hefner said.
After Friday’s game, only one team will be unbeaten against the MAC, and the other will suffer its first blemish.
“We’re excited to be able to scout them this week and put together a good game plan,” Hefner said. “Hopefully we can go get the win Friday.”
Andrew Gold is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].
