Just over 14 minutes into a Wagon Wheel matchup between Kent State women’s soccer and the University of Akron, the first shot of the game was taken by Akron’s Sydney Worthy.

Worthy found the back of the net, assisted by Sarah Nguyen. 

That opener would not be the game’s last shot, but it would prove to be the deciding one.

The Flashes lost 1-0 in high wind and pouring rain to drop to 2-4-0 in this season’s Mid-American Conference-only season. KSU continues a four-game losing skid, with its last win coming in its first matchup with Akron, a 1-0 win at Dix Stadium on March 7.

This was Akron’s first win of the season, as the Zips now sit at 1-4-1.

That game-winning opening shot led off a slow offensive first half, as Kent State had only two shots on goal against Akron’s four. 

Things picked up for the Flashes in the second half, as they outshot Akron eight to six, but none of those shots would find their target.

Senior forward Yasmine Hall led Kent with three shots on goal followed by two shots from freshman Keyosha Donkor. Four Flashes took one shot during the game.

Akron only had four players take shots, with Worthy taking another shot after her goal to finish with two. Sydney Ward took four shots for the Zips, with only one being on goal.

Aside from Worthy’s goal Akron had a sloppy first half, receiving eight fouls against just two for KSU. The Flashes finished the game with six fouls while the Zips had 13.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sarah Melen minded the net all game for the Flashes, making three saves after she gave up that initial goal.

Kent State and Akron are at the bottom of the MAC standings, sitting in fifth and sixth place in the Eastern division, respectively.

With just four games left in the season Kent State will stay on the road and look to reverse its losing streak against the University at Buffalo (4-1-1). The Bulls are in second place in the East.

Owen MacMillan is a sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].