Despite a strong offensive first half, the Kent State field hockey team (1-4) struggled in the second half, failing to keep up with No. 12 Northwestern (3-2), falling, 4-2, to the Wildcats.

“We came out and played a really tough match against a good team,” coach Kathleen Wiler said. “I think we just need to keep working on the details. We know they are a really tough team, and we always have a really good match.”

The game was back and forth for the entire first half.

Junior forward Laila Richter scored the first goal for the Flashes early in the first half at the fifth minute. Richter scored off a penalty corner from sophomore Clara Rodriguez Setó, which was stopped by freshman Helena Cambra Soler.

The Wildcats came back minutes later in the 11th minute to tie the game, 1-1, on a Puck Pentenga goal off a penalty corner. 

The Flashes regained the lead in the 14th minute when Setó scored her sixth goal of the season with an assist from sophomore back Emma Bressler. Later in the half, the Wildcats tied it up again with a goal from Saar de Breij.

Northwestern took the lead for good in the second half on a Lakin Berry goal in the 40th minute. The goal came on a deflection off junior goalkeeper Mary Crumlish’s pads. The Wildcats added some insurance five minutes later when Maren Seidel slotted one past Crumlish for a 4-2 lead. The goal was set up off a penalty corner, with a deflection off a Pentenga shot ending up at Maren’s stick. 

“I’m pleased with some of the things we saw today, but we still have stuff to work on,” Wiler said. “It’s early in the season, and it’s looking really promising.”

The Flashes will take on Penn State at 4 p.m. Friday in State College, Pennsylvania.

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