The Kent State women’s soccer team lost its third straight match Sunday 5-0 to league-leading Bowling Green State University. 

It was the Kent’s worst loss of the season and the first time this year the Flashes were shutout.

Kent State is now 2-3 on the season and in fifth place in the Mid-American Conference East Division. Bowling Green is 4-1 and is in first.

Bowling Green scored a goal in the first half and four more in the second.  

Coach Rob Marinaro said it was a disappointing performance for the team and was caused by poor defense. 

“We are not pleased with our performance today,” Marinaro said. “We gave up way too many opportunities and did not create much for ourselves. We were defending throughout the match. When you put yourself in those situations, it’s going to be tough to get results.”

Marinaro said BG outplayed Kent State in all areas.

“We are just not doing well enough to get good performances from ourselves,” Marinaro said. “It is a 90-minute issue of everybody putting their best foot forward and doing the best that they can be playing for our team.

The Flashes recorded one shot on goal, three corner kicks, zero yellow cards, 16 fouls, and no offside penalties while the Falcons had 14 shots on goal, seven corners, 12 fouls, one yellow card, and four offside.   

“They are just a little down on confidence, and we just need to turn it around,” Marinaro said. “We will build confidence, and we will get our game back.”

The Flashes play at the University of Akron on Sunday, March 28 at 7 p.m.

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