The Kent State soccer team defeated Ohio 3-0 Thursday, taking the fourth seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Flashes are now 12-4-2 overall and 7-3-1 in the MAC.

Senior Sara Henderson scored in the second minute with a one-time shot from 16 yards on the right. Junior Jessacca Gironda and freshman Madison Helterbran assisted on the goal.

“That’s always a great start,” head coach Rob Marinaro said. “We really capitalized early and did very well and just kept the momentum building and managed the remainder of the game. They did an excellent job today.”

The Flashes scored again in the 16th minute with a bent-in free kick 26 yards out that found the net in the upper 90 from the left. Junior Morgan Mah scored the goal, her second of the season.

The final goal was a header by freshman Briana Bartolone on a cross from sophomore Mariah Sidwell.

Kent State’s defense notched their sixth shutout of MAC play and eighth of the season. Freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Senn said the defense steps up every game and the team comes in with the mindset that the ball won’t get past the defense. But if it does, she will be there.

“The whole team is playing excellent defense that’s where we can get the ball rolling,” said Marinaro. “We’ve committed our entire team to play real strong defense and they’re really coming through.”

The Flashes face Ball State Sunday 1 p.m. at Zoeller Field for the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament.

Ball State tied with Miami Thursday 1-1. Kent State defeated Ball State during the regular season 2-0, both goals from junior Jaclyn Dutton.

“We have to go in with a focused mindset,” Mah said. “Forget what happened in regular season and just go straight forward.”

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Contact Erika Brun at [email protected].