The Kent State field hockey team’s losing streak hit five matches following two road games in Lock Haven, Pa., losing to the St. Francis (Pa.) Red Flash 3-2 on Saturday and to the Lock Haven Eagles 1-0 in overtime Sunday afternoon.

The Flashes (4-7) were locked in a 1-1 tie with St. Francis going into halftime Saturday after senior midfielder Melanie Kahn scored the Flashes’ first goal off an assist by freshman Karleigh Carlin 24 minutes into the first half.

The Red Flash added two goals in the second half in the 39th and 53rd minutes, respectively, to take a 3-1 lead over the Flashes. Junior midfielder Julia Hofmann scored her seventh goal of the season on assists from junior Abbie Carrico and senior Sabrina Binder late in the second half, but the Flashes could not overcome the deficit.

Kent State showed improvement defensively Sunday against Lock Haven, but Eagles forward Lydia George snuck the game-winning goal past freshman goalkeeper Andrea Rinehart at the 2:41 mark of the overtime period to lift her team past the Flashes.

Rinehart competed in the first match of her collegiate career, playing the entire game in goal and recording five saves. Hofmann led the Flashes in shots with three, followed by Carlin and junior Missy Ramsey with two apiece.

The Flashes will begin to prepare for their first Mid-American Conference match of the season when they play the Missouri State Bears at 1 p.m. Friday at Murphy-Mellis Field. Kent State will remain at home to face the No. 15 Northwestern Wildcats at noon Sunday.

Chris Ginley is the field hockey reporter for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact Chris at [email protected].