Flashes field hockey splits weekend against OU and OSU

Kent State’s Ines Delpech jumps over the stick of Ohio University’s Vicky Nase while taking the ball down the field Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. Kent State won 4-3.

Ricky Salcer

The Kent State field hockey team continued its offensive dominance Friday when they hosted Ohio University for a Mid-American Conference matchup. 

The Flashes won, 4-3, for their second straight win in the MAC over the Bobcats. Ohio struck first but the Flashes remained poised and ready to take advantage. 

Sophomore Krysti Lober, who scored her first collegiate goal Saturday, said she knew the team would come together. 

“When they scored first we knew we had to pick up our game and not give up,” Lober said. Lober scored what eventually would be the deciding goal in the 62nd minute. 

“It was amazing,” Lober said. “It was everything I ever wanted in my first goal.” 

Seniors Julia Hofmann and Hannah Faulkner continued their offensive attack, each picking up a goal in the game. 

Kent State field hockey head coach Kathleen Wiler said she was proud of the way her team responded throughout the game. 

“We stuck to our game plan, started moving the ball and had more discipline with our strikers,” Wiler said. 

Wiler said she knows how important conference play is and emphasized the excitement she felt with the way the team has embraced the challenge. 

“We are 2-0 in the conference with a lot left to play, and we have to take it one game at a time,” Wiler said. 

After Saturday’s crucial win at Murphy-Mellis Field, the Flashes travelled to the state’s capital Sunday as they battled the Big 10 Ohio State Buckeyes. 

The Buckeyes were able to cool off the Flashes offense, winning 3-1. Faulkner was able to find the back of the cage for Kent State, pushing her scoring streak to five consecutive games. 

Despite Faulkner’s streak staying alive, the Buckeyes’ defense proved too much for the Flashes to overcome. 

“We picked up our play in the second half but it just wasn’t enough to get the job done,” Wiler said. 

The Flashes (5-8, 2-0 MAC) will prepare for an upcoming conference matchup with Miami University as they travel to Oxford Saturday to take on the Redhawks.

Contact Ricky Salcer at [email protected].