Michigan attack too much for Flashes
Kent State senior forward Hannah Faulkner fails to steal the ball as Michigan’s Mackenzie Ellis jumps to maintain possession at the field hockey game Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. The Flashes lost to Michigan 3-2.
September 21, 2014
The Kent State field hockey team came up short Sunday afternoon against the powerful No. 18 Michigan Wolverines, losing the contest with its Big 10 opponent, 3-2.
The Wolverines (6-2) maintained a steady 1-0 lead heading into the half, outshooting the Flashes 18-2. Sophomore goalie Andrea Rinehart played a solid game in front of the net with 15 saves, giving the Flashes an opportunity for a comeback.
Kent State (2-5) entered comeback mode after falling behind 2-0, when an early second-half goal by Michigan provided the Wolverines a two-score lead.
Kent State field hockey coach Kathleen Wiler said she had confidence the team would respond to Michigan’s offensive onslaught better in the second half.
“We always had a firm belief we were going to come back and make a change, and we did,” Wiler said.
The Flashes had to push the pace and pick up the intensity of their attack immensely, and they did just that.
Senior Julia Hofmann found the back of the net, making it a 2-1 game early in the second half. Seven minutes later, Hofmann assisted freshman Alison Harmatz to tie the game.
“All week long, we worked on our corners, and luckily I hit it strong where Alison could score,” Hofmann said.
Despite the Flashes battling from behind, Michigan’s early offensive attack proved too much for Kent State to handle as the Wolverines scored in the 59th minute on a penalty corner and went on to win the game by one point.
“We’re a good team, and we’re playing right there with some other really good teams,” Wiler said. “We just need to finish it off and get a win.”
The Flashes will begin their four-game road trip this weekend as they travel to Philadelphia to take on Temple University and Drexel University.
Contact Ricky Salcer at [email protected].
