KSU Field Hockey wins in double overtime, crowned MAC champions for 12th time

Sophomore midfielder Hannah Faulkner hits the ground during Kent States game against Michigan State University Sunday afternoon. File Photo by Hannah Potes.

Sophomore midfielder Hannah Faulkner hits the ground during Kent State’s game against Michigan State University Sunday afternoon. File Photo by Hannah Potes.

Richie Mulhall

Mount Pleasant, Mich. – In an electrifying game that ended in double overtime, the Kent State Golden Flashes (8-12, 4-1 MAC) defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (7-10, 3-2 MAC) 1-0 to secure their share of their 12th Mid-American Conference Championship on Saturday afternoon.

“We’re just thrilled to have a share of the MAC title,” head coach Kathleen Wiler said. “The student athletes are looking forward to getting [to the tournament] and competing.”

Junior Rebecca Lee scored the game-winning goal off of a corner in the final minute of double overtime to capture victory. Junior Sabrina Binder and sophomore Julia Hofmann combined to assist Lee on the goal.

“Both of us had equal opportunities,” Lee said. “It was surreal that we won because the game could have gone either way.”

Throughout regulation and the first overtime of the game, Kent State struggled to score, racking up 20 shots on goal without scoring. The offense continually attempted to get ahead of Central Michigan on the scoreboard, but to no avail.

The hero of the game, however, was sophomore goalkeeper Jahna Jordan. Jordan’s undying ability to withstand an onslaught of shots on goal kept the Flashes in the game. Jordan recorded eight saves and held the Chippewas to a shutout. The game marked Jordan second shutout of the season, as well as her second shutout of her career. Coach Wiler said Jahna, like the rest of the team, is playing her best hockey right now.

“[Jahna] said to me, ‘Coach, I was just in the zone,’” Wiler said. “Jahna played one the best games she’s played at Kent State.”

The 1-0 overtime victory gives the Flashes a share of the MAC title with the Miami Redhawks (10-9, 4-1 MAC). The Flashes will be the No. 2 seed in the MAC tournament, which will begin next Friday in Oxford, Ohio. Kent State will face Central Michigan again in a semifinal matchup at 2:30 p.m. Top seed Miami will face the Ohio Bobcats (8-8, 2-3 MAC) at noon.