After four consecutive games without a win, Kent State’s soccer game came out on top Sunday afternoon after its 3-2 win against Central Michigan.

KSU was able to end its losing streak with better execution and concentration.

“It was a strong performance. We have to play more of our style of game, and I think that’s what proved to be successful for us,” coach Rob Marinaro said.  

Kent State celebrated Senior Night with its seven seniors during the game.  

The Flashes are now 6-5-2 overall and 3-3-1 in the Mid-American Conference, while the Chippewas are 4-6-4 overall and 2-4-1 in the MAC.

“The team’s commitment on performing on the day was really good,” Marinaro said. 

The breakdown 

Within the first minutes of the game, junior defenseman Kelsey Salopek scored for the Flashes. 

“She had a great performance,” Marinaro said. “She’s always an iron woman. She works so hard and is so dedicated into results for us that she always leads the way. It was nice to see her find some success on the day.”

Senior midfielder Siena Stambolich assisted the goal by corner-kicking it onto Salopek’s head. The goal was Salopek’s second goal of the year, and this matches her 2023 season total. 

In the 11th minute, the Chippewas tied the game, 10 minutes after the Flashes got on the board. The score was 1-1, and held until the teams went into halftime. 

Coming out of halftime, freshman forward Jules Dolinski quickly scored again for the Flashes, with another assist from Stambolich, her second of the day.

“The possession was a lot stronger on the day than what we’ve seen in the last four performances,” Marinaro said. 

Central Michigan had three fouls in a row following the Flashes’ goal. 

In the 62nd minute, Kent State was awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. The Flashes gave it to Stambolich who converted on the try. 

“She really came out, and it was great to see on senior day,” Marinaro said. “It was really nice of her to get a little bit of that success because she’s been a little banged up, and to see her come through, that was fantastic.”

Stambolich had one goal and two assists that helped the Flashes win. 

“To maintain possession and keep the ball, that’s way more our style of game, and it was really nice to see,” Marinaro said. “That’s where we’re going to produce the most and get the best outcomes.”

In the last 10 minutes, the Chippewas tried to make a comeback after scoring a goal, but KSU’s defense stopped them from succeeding, holding the final score at 3-2. 

“Overall, the team defense had, especially yesterday, strong performances and great commitment to doing what was necessary to defend the lead,” Marinaro said. “Obviously they accomplished that, but it was a great team commitment to our team defense.”

The Flashes led in shots for the game (12-9), shots on goal (7-2), and corner kick opportunities (5-4).

“We looked to play out of the back really well, and they did a really nice job,” Marinaro said.

Senior goalkeeper Heidi Marshall made one save to keep the Flashes in the lead while facing three shots on goal.

Up next

Kent State will travel to the University of Buffalo Thursday to pay the Buffalo Bulls at 7 p.m. 

The Flashes won 2-1 the last time they played the Bulls which occurred last October. 

Buffalo has won or tied the last four games it has played in. The team is 9-1-4 overall, and 4-1-2 in the conference. 

KSU are 2-3 when playing away with two ties this season. In the last three games, the Flashes have scored five goals, and the Bulls have scored three. 

“We’re getting back to a little bit more to our style of play, and not playing any panic soccer, but playing with controlled possession and seeing if we can continue to build with a ball on the ground and attack,” Marinaro said.“[We want to be] a little bit more attack-minded, so that we could see the other team defending more of the game.”

Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].