After opening the season with two straight losses, the Kent State (1-3) field hockey team looked to improve its record this past weekend in two home matches. 

Liberty 2, Kent State 1

Despite their loss to Liberty on Friday, the Flashes’ defense continued to impress. The team only allowed seven shots on goal, with junior goalie Mary Crumlish tallying five saves.

“I think, as a coaching staff, we’re just looking for growth every week,” coach Kathleen Wiler said. “We want to grow and become a team. We’re just happy with the work the ladies are putting in.”

Junior Agueda Moroni scored the first goal for Liberty in the first half. The Flashes tied it up early in the second half when sophomore Clara Rodriguez Setó scored with an assist from junior forward Laila Richter.

The Flames scored the winning goal on a penalty shot by Moroni with an assist from senior Abby Julius.

Kent State 1, Saint Louis 0

The Flashes took their first win of the season Sunday afternoon against Saint Louis. Senior forward Courtney Weise scored the only goal of the game, her first of the season.

“I think overall we’ve been really working with our forwards and strikers, just working on their positioning,” Wiler said. “She was fed a really great ball and finished doing her job.”

The goal came in the second minute of the game with an assist from junior midfielder Berta Jover Llorens.

The Flashes’ defense was able to stay tough throughout the game, holding the Billikens to just six shots on goal, while Crumlish had four saves on the day.

“I think we play a really tough, nationally ranked non conference schedule,” Wiler said. “We’ve been really pleased with that today. To get a win and put the amount of shots (we) did on the board was great.” 

The Flashes are back on the pitch this Tuesday when they take on Northwestern at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Amanda Levine is a sports reporter. Contact her at [email protected].