Game 1: Kent State 1 Ball State 0

Kent State’s women’s field hockey team extended its home winning streak to three with a 1-0 win over Ball State University on Friday.

“I think our team did a good job of sticking to our game plan against a pretty gritty and physical Ball State team,” coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer said. “The team stayed focused on our goals throughout both games.”

Both teams played aggressive defense in the first quarter, with the Flashes only taking one shot in the quarter compared to the Cardinals’ two.

In the second quarter Kent’s defense held Ball State without a shot and the Flashes had three penalty corner opportunities.

The only goal of the game came in the third quarter when Kent’s senior back Emma Bressler scored off of a penalty corner opportunity.

The game was a defensive battle as the Flashes only took nine total shots, four of which were on goal and the Cardinals took five total shots with two of them being shots on goal.

Kent had nine penalty corner opportunities during the game and converted on one of them while Ball State had just one penalty corner chance.

Flashes senior goalkeeper Azure Fernsler had two saves on five shots faced and did not allow a goal while the Cardinals sophomore goalkeeper Wietske Overdijkink had three saves on nine shots face and allowed one goal.

Game 2: Kent State 2 Ball State 0

Kent State’s women’s field hockey team (7-3, 5-3 Mid-American Conference) completed the sweep against Ball State University (5-7, 3-5 MAC) with a 2-0 win Saturday.

“It was definitely important for us to get back into the win column and getting back into the two win column was great for us in terms of our record and our overall morale,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “I think the team was very hungry to come out, especially at home and have two good solid games.”

The Flashes did not give up a goal in either game against the Cardinals this weekend.

“I think we had control of both games,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “Their goalkeeper was very strong and difficult on the attack, but we primarily held control on our attacking end.”

Saturday’s contest was another game defined by defense. The Flashes only took two shots in the first quarter compared to the Cardinals’ three in the first quarter. 

First half totals were Kent with seven shots and Ball State with four shots and each team had two shots on goal.

The Flashes’ first goal of the game came in the third quarter with junior midfielder Helena Cambra Soler as the goal scorer.

Kent’s second goal of the game came in the fourth quarter with sophomore back Maria Cambra Soler as the goal scorer.

Second half totals were the Flashes with nine shots and the Cardinals with three shots. Four of Kent’s nine second half shots were on goal and one of Ball State’s three shots were on goal.

Overall, Kent took 16 total shots, six of which were on goal and Ball State took seven total shots, three of which were on goal. The Flashes had 12 penalty corner opportunities compared to the Cardinals two penalty corner attempts.

For the Flashes, Fersnler did not allow a goal and had three saves on seven shots faced. For the Cardinals, Overdijkink allowed two goals and had four saves on 16 shots faced.

“I think sticking to our identity is huge for us right now and trusting what we’re good at is really important and just making sure we stay disciplined in everything we do,” DeSandes-Moyer said.

Kent will look to extend its winning streak on Friday, April 16 at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 17 at 3:30 p.m. against Ohio University (2-6, 2-5 MAC) in Athens.

Kathryn is a sports reporter. Conatact her at [email protected].