Flashes drop final two games with MAC Tournament ahead
Redshirt Freshman forward Alison Harmatz sprints past Longwood’s Lorissa Morton during Kent State’s women’s field hockey game on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014 at Murphy-Mellis Field. The flashes held on to a one goal lead, scored in the first half by Hanna Faulkner, to win the game, improving their record to 8-8.
November 2, 2014
Although the Kent State field hockey team lost to Central Michigan University on Saturday and No. 8 Northwestern University on Sunday, the team clinched a share of the regular season Mid-American Conference Championship this past weekend.
The Flashes (8-10, 5-1 MAC) had already clinched at least a share of the conference championship before they even headed to Central Michigan. The Chippewas (7-11, 5-1 MAC) slowed down the Flashes’ powerful attack, coming away with a 2-1 victory.
Central Michigan found the back of the cage 30 minutes into the game, giving them a 1-0 lead. Kent State responded as senior Hannah Faulker extended her scoring streak to nine consecutive games by tying it, 1-1.
The deciding goal of the game came on a corner in the closing seconds of the first half for Central Michigan. This would be all the Chippewas would need to close out the game, giving them a share of the conference title and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference tournament. The Flashes earned the second seed and will be looking to get revenge if they should meet again.
Kent State ended its regular season with a trip to Evanston, Illinois on Sunday to take on No. 8 Northwestern University. The Flashes battled hard but came up short in a close 1-0 loss.
Kent State field hockey coach Kathleen Wiler was proud of the way her team responded after the loss against Central Michigan.
“We came out with a lot of energy, a lot of hard work and the desire to win the ball today was just outstanding,” Wiler said.
Kent State will look to rebound and carry momentum into the conference tournament.
“Whatever they did today, we really need to carry into the conference tournament,” Wiler said.
Kent State will host the conference tournament Nov. 7-8 at Murphy-Mellis Field. The Flashes will face the Miami Redhawks (7-11, 4-2 MAC) in a semifinal game Friday.
Contact Ricky Salcer at [email protected].
