Kent State shuts out Saint Francis

Brandon Busby

The Kent State field hockey team (12-6, 6-0 Mid-American Conference) made the most out of its Senior Day Sunday match, shutting out Saint Francis University (11-8 Atlantic 10 Conference), 3-0.

Senior forward Krysti Lober had no trouble finding the back of the goal, scoring within the first five minutes of the game.

Lober would also score the Flashes’ third goal of the day with only five minutes remaining in the second period. Redshirt senior Alexis Madeira would also score in the second.

Sunday’s match was the last regular season match for Lober and Madeira, along with fellow seniors Andrea Rinehart and Madison Thompson.

While the end of this game was bittersweet for both Coach Kathleen Wiler and her four seniors, Wiler and Lober had no trouble recalling only good memories from the last four years.

“I think they uphold the standard of excellence that we strive for every day, as one of the women of Kent State field hockey (team),” Wiler said. “They’re all their own success story, and we couldn’t be more proud of them as the young women and athletes that they have become.”

This senior class helped the program to 49 victories and its only NCAA Tournament Game in 2014.

“My favorite part about playing with this team was just all the memories we were able to make,” Lober said. “All the friendships that I’ll have forever, and all the moments that I’ll always remember.”

The seniors will have another chance to play, as they gained the No. 1 seed in the MAC tournament with a home field advantage.

Kent State takes on the fourth seed, Ball State University (8-10, 3-3 MAC) Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Murphy-Mellis Field.

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