It was a rough weekend for the Kent State women’s soccer team (2-3-1), as they dropped both games they played at North Carolina Wilmington.

North Carolina Wilmington 4, Kent State 1

The Flashes opened the weekend with a 4-1 loss to UNCW (4-1). This is the first time this season the Flashes have lost on the road.

Four minutes into the game, the Seahawks opened the scoring when Ashley Johnson found the back of the net off a header from a corner kick.  The Flashes knotted the score at one in the 31st minute when sophomore Maddie Holmes scored off a header from acorner kick by sophomore Vital Kats. Holmes’ second goal of the season led to the Flashes heading to halftime tied at one.

Despite leading in shots, 7-6, the Flashes allowed three goals in the second half, two of which came after the 86th minute. 

“Our opportunities to win first and second balls kept falling short throughout the game,” coach Rob Marinaro said. “It’s a little disappointing we didn’t see more productivity.”

Fairleigh Dickinson 2, Kent State 1

The Flashes finished the weekend against Fairleigh Dickinson (2-4) on Sunday. 

“We should be used to playing two games in one weekend,” Marinaro said. “We have to keep building our fitness level.”

Kats opened the game in the 30th minute with a penalty kick goal after getting pulled down in the Knights’ penalty box.

Fairleigh Dickinson tied up the match in the 40th minute on a one-timer from Viktorija Miseljic and, for the second time in the weekend, the Flashes entered the half tied at one.

Fairleigh Dickinson scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute on a corner kick that was cleared before being served back in for a one-touch finish from Elma Kolenovic. Although they again led in shots, 8-7, in the second half, Kent State couldn’t recover. The Flashes dropped the second game of the weekend, 2-1.

“We are going to have to train at a much higher intensity level if we want to win these games,” Marinaro said. “We faced a lot of the same problems this game that we faced on Friday.”

Next week the Flashes will play at home for the first time in two weeks.

“Our confidence wasn’t very high either game,” Marinaro said. “Hopefully our players look in the mirror and rebound to play at a much higher level next week.”

The team plays their next game  at 7 p.m. Friday at Dix Stadium against Morehead State University (1-5).

Gina Butkovich is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].