The Kent State soccer team tallied its third tie of the season in a 2-2 game after traveling to Buffalo University to play the Bulls. 

“I thought it was a great effort by the team,” coach Rob Marinaro said. “We executed really well and did everything they could. We made a couple of mistakes that cost us, and that was the difference in the game, but I’m really proud of the work and the effort that they gave on the day.”

The Flashes are now the first team this  season to score multiple goals in a game against Buffalo.

The Bulls six-game home winning streak also ended after yesterday’s tie. 

“They’re a very high possession team, so we wanted to neutralize some of that, and technically, how we were going to defend them,” Marinaro said.

KSU is now 6-5-3 overall and 3-3-2 in the Mid-American Conference, while Buffalo is 9-1-5 overall and 4-1-3 in the MAC, and is now in second in the conference. 

“We capitalized, so that was really nice to see,” Marinaro said. “So we’re in a positive moment, and we need to keep on rolling.”

The breakdown 

To start the game, both teams took turns taking shots for 11 minutes, and then the Flashes scored.

Freshman forward Jules Dolinski helped to assist the shot by passing it to senior midfielder Alisa Arthur who fired it at the net and through the goalie. 

The goal was Arthur’s seventh of the season, which leads the team.

The Bulls responded shortly after with a goal to tie the score. 

There were failed attempts to score throughout the rest of the first half, keeping the score at 1-1 going into halftime.

“We need to continue to pick up points and continue to get a little bit better at everything that we’re doing, and just clean our game up,” Marinaro said. “They’re trending the right way, and we just need to continue to capitalize on them.”

Kent State came out of halftime applying pressure, and attacking the Bull’s defense. 

Dolinski helped assist yet another goal made by freshman forward/midfielder Addy Cusick in the 52nd minute.

This was Cusick’s first goal of the season. Donlinski has two assists so far this season. 

“(Dolinski) was really strong on the day,” Mariano said. “Real high work rate, high engine. Gave up the trap on the second goal, and then created the pass to Alisa for the first goal – a really  nice day for her, and hopefully she can continue rolling on.”

Buffalo tied the score in the 69th minute. KSU’s offense tried to fire shots within the last 20 minutes, but did not make the game-winning goal. 

“They executed extremely well, and we even got our second goal off of the trap that we wanted to get from them,” Marinaro said. 

Kent State led in shots (17-9) and shots on goal (8-5) but had less corner kicks (5-6).

“There were a  couple of moments where we could have done a little bit better, and we didn’t get that, and that’s okay,” Mainaro said. “We need to move forward. Like I said, that’s part of the game.”

Arthur was the Flashes’ leading shot creator with six shots and two on goal. 

 “Alisa’s really having to deal with a lot of double and triple teams,” Mariano said. “Teams are really focusing on closing her down, which opens the game up for a lot of other people. She’s handling herself extremely well, and still giving us production, which is super impressive.”

Senior goalkeeper Heidi Marshall made two saves against the Buffalo attack.

Up next

The Flashes will play at home Oct 24 at 7 p.m. to compete against their rival, Akron. 

KSU has won the last three times Akron has been on the schedule, the most recent time was last September when the Flashes  won 2-1. 

The Zips have tied the last two games that they have played. 

Before playing Kent State, Akron is scheduled to play Western Michigan.

Akron is 5-5-4 overall, and 0-5-2 in the conference. 

“We’re making sure that we continue our production,” Marinaro said. “Can we elevate our defense, elevate our production, maintain possession and create opportunities and then obviously capitalize on off chances?” 

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