The Kent State field hockey team is returning home this week having split the weekend’s games, falling to the University of Richmond (2-7) and defeating Saint Louis University (3-5). 

The University of Richmond’s Cadera Smith kicked off scoring an unassisted goal early in the first period on Saturday. 

The Spiders would not let up, scoring two more goals in the first half of Saturday’s game coming from Nealy Henderson in the 33rd minute and Olivia Hubert in the final seconds of the first period. 

The Flashes came out swinging in the second half, as Madeline Osgarby scored less than ten minutes into the half. The goal was Osgarby’s first of her career, and was assisted by Silvia Figa Malgosa, her first of the season.

The Flashes took 23 shots in Saturday’s game compared to Richmond’s 12 and were also awarded nearly twice as many penalty corners.

Ultimately though, the Flashes would fall short, with a lone 69th minute goal being scored yet again by Osgarby, making the final score 3-2 in favor of the Spiders. 

Sunday’s game, however, proved to be much more manageable for the Flashes as they shut out the Saint Louis University Billikens, 2-0. 

Senior Alison Harmatz scored the first goal five minutes into the second period, assisted by Jessica Nesbitt. The shot was the Flashes’ first of the afternoon. 

Sunday’s decisive victory against the Billikens saw the Flashes outshooting their opponent yet again, taking 23 to Saint Louis’s nine, and also gaining seven more penalty shots than the Billikens. 

Clara Rodriguez Setó added a goal with less than three minutes to go to put the Flashes up 2-0, the margin they would go on to win by. 

The Flashes will return to Murphy-Mellis Field for the first time this season to host Miami University on Friday, a conference rival that Kent State defeated in both matchups last year, one of which was for the Mid-American Conference title. 

Brandon Busby is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].