The Kent State women’s soccer team tied with the University of Louisville 2-2 Friday night at Zoeller Field.

The Flashes (1-1-1) failed to come away with the victory but managed to take the game into overtime, ultimately tying a tough Atlantic Coast Conference opponent in Louisville.

“It’s an excellent result against an ACC school that’s a very good team and very athletic,” said head coach Rob Marinaro. “I thought we defended extremely well. We had our opportunities and came out with a nice result.”

After going down 1-0 with 11 minutes left in the first half, sophomore midfielder Kristen Brots scored the tying goal for the Flashes — her second of the season — on a shot that ricocheted off the left post into the back of the net.

Brots goal came in the 36th minute and made it a 1-1 contest. Neither Kent or Louisville would score again during the first half, although Kent trailed Louisville in total shots taken (6-4) but led in shots on goal (2-1).

However, Louisville broke the tie just four minutes after the start of the second half on a chaotic goal by substitute Victoria Martinis. The team regained the lead 2-1, but it wouldn’t stay that way for long.

Kent State junior forward Jenna Hellstrom was able to even up the game in the 65th minute on a goal that rolled under the diving body of Louisville goalie Paige Brown for the score.

Sophomore forward Veronica Bosco assisted on the goal as the Flashes, for the second time in one night, showed resiliency by fighting back to tie the game after going down a goal.

“(I’m) extremely proud of them coming back,” said Marinaro. “We went down one nothing and battled back to tie it up and then gave up another one but did an excellent job again of recovering and taking the game back to them to get the tie.”

Both Kent and Louisville displayed a physical brand of soccer Thursday night. The referees called a total of 36 fouls throughout the game, with more than half (18) going to the Flashes. Marinaro said that physicality may have allowed Kent to bounce back and tie the game.

“We do want to play very physical and be really strong and not get pushed around,” said Marinaro. “That’s a team that can do that to you and I thought we came back and battled hard against them and that’s why we saw a result.”

Aside from fouls, the referees handed out a total of four yellow cards (three given to Kent, one given to Louisville) including one called on Marinaro, who yelled from the sidelines after a foul he felt was unfair, was called on one of his players.

“The team did a nice job,” said Marinaro. “It was really just a positive game all around.”

Contact Jessie Runner at [email protected]