Field Hockey defeats Central Michigan in overtime for second MAC win of season

Chris Ginley

The Kent State field hockey team pulled off a win in a dramatic fashion, defeating the Central Michigan University Chippewas 3-2 in overtime Saturday at Murphy-Mellis Field.

The win improved the Flashes’ regular-season record to 6-8, including a 2-0 mark against Mid-American Conference opponents.

After a Central Michigan goal by Abby Roth at the 18:55 mark of the first half, the Flashes answered a little more than a minute later. Junior Hannah Faulkner scored her seventh of the season off an assist from freshman Madison Thompson to tie the game up.

Thompson added a goal of her own at 31:17, assisted by senior Rebecca Lee, to give the Flashes the lead going into the half. The Chippewas’ Kaysie Gregory scored the equalizing goal with 30 seconds left in the second half to send the game into overtime and swing some of the momentum towards Central Michigan.

About one minute into the extra period, Faulkner scored her second goal of the match, off of another assist by Lee, and the Flashes began to celebrate their come-from-behind victory.

The win puts the Flashes on top of the MAC standings slightly ahead of the Miami (Oh.) Red Hawks, who are 1-0 in conference play.

Kent State will travel to Muncie, Ind., to face off with the Ball State Cardinals (5-8, 0-2 MAC). The match is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Contact Chris Ginley at [email protected].