The Kent State field hockey team had a successful first outing Saturday, defeating the Robert Morris (Pa.) Colonials 9-6 in an exhibition contest at Murphy-Mellis Field.

In a controlled scrimmage, the Flashes and Colonials competed in three segments, including three 20-minute periods, a 15-minute sudden-death overtime and a shootout.

Flashes head coach Kathleen Wiler said it was great to get the team out onto the field and put everything the players had been working on to the test.

“I think the things we asked the girls to focus on, we saw some good improvement on,” Wiler said. “Then we saw some areas where we need to put some more work in.”

After the first 60 minutes of regulation play, the score stood at 7-4 in favor of the Flashes. Robert Morris struck first in sudden-death overtime to win the period, but the Flashes successfully clinched the overall victory in the shootout.

Junior midfielder Julia Hofmann led the Flashes’ offense with three goals in the contest, while freshman midfielder Madison Thompson made a strong impression scoring a pair of goals in her first collegiate field hockey match.

The Flashes will head to Harrisonburg, Va. to square off against James Madison Friday at 7 p.m. and Appalachian State Sunday at 1 p.m.

Contact Chris Ginley at [email protected].