Junior back Lauren Conroy shined in the Kent State field hockey team’s 3-2 victory against the Bellarmine Knights Friday, as she put in her first two collegiate goals during the Flashes’ final home game of the 2024 campaign.

“That is preparation meeting opportunity because she has been working on that day in and day out at practice,” coach Heather Hefner said. “Super exciting when you see someone put in the work and then get to reap the reward of that.”

Both of the Conroy goals were off deflections – her first goal was assisted by junior midfielder Maia Sarrabayrouse in the second quarter, and her second goal was assisted by senior midfielder Agustina Florio.

“That’s exactly how they’re supposed to be executed,” Hefner said. “Agustina and Maia put it right where they needed to be, and Lauren got a touch on it, so that was really cool.”

After three quarters, KSU had a 2-0 lead and would put in the deciding goal in the fourth quarter thanks to an effort from sophomore midfielder Eva Usoz, which was assisted by senior back Arden Goddard-Despot.

Despite the Knights finding the back of the net twice in the fourth quarter, Kent State was able to hold on and move to 6-10 and 5-2 against the Mid-American Conference, dropping Bellarmine to 3-12, 1-6 against the MAC.

“We’re still working towards lockdown defense for a full 60,” Hefner said. “We’re making sure we’re disciplined in our defense and have patient pressure. We want to be gritty in the circle but also take care of the details.”

With the win, Kent State clinched a top-four seed in the MAC standings and a spot in the MAC Field Hockey Championship in Oxford, Ohio. The team will join James Madison, Appalachian State, and Miami (OH) in the tournament for the right to hoist the MAC title.

The Flashes started their season winless in their first six efforts, so they have worked hard to earn their spot in the tournament.

“A lot of the beginning of the season was laying the foundation and figuring out what our identity was,” Hefner said. “All along, we were telling the girls ‘trust the process’ and to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and now they are starting to reap the reward of that.”

Kent State has won six of 10 and has also won three straight versus the MAC to get to 5-2 in conference play.

“One area we’ve improved in is our confidence – they have every right to be out there,” Hefner said. “Walking out on the field with a confidence that they deserve to be in these games and deserve to win them when they’re working hard is important.”

In each of the last three games, KSU scored first and hasn’t looked back.

“We talk a lot about playing fast and being the ones that set the tempo regardless of who the opponent is,” Hefner said. “The hard thing is keeping the lead and staying ahead, but it comes back to being confident and disciplined in the details.”

Facing the champs

The Flashes will end their season on the road against the six-time defending MAC tournament champion Miami (OH) University RedHawks.

In the last matchup between the Flashes and RedHawks, it was the MAC title game when Miami came out on top 3-1 last season. 

This season, Miami is 9-7 and 6-1 against the MAC. 

“It’s a great way to end the season and it’s going to be a battle,” Hefner said. “The history between Miami and Kent is strong, and that makes for an exciting game. A tough game sets us up well for the MAC Championships.”

Andrew Gold is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].