Field hockey team to take on No. 20 OSU

The Kent State field hockey team is set to face a nationally ranked squad yet again. The Flashes will host No. 20 Ohio State at 3 p.m. today.

The Flashes have faced two nationally ranked opponents this season, No. 12 James Madison and No. 6 Virginia. Kent State lost both games, 3-2 against James Madison and 8-2 against Virginia.

“Despite the result against Virginia, I think it was exciting that we scored two goals against them,” Kent State coach Kathleen Schanne said. “No team in the country has done that yet.”

The Flashes will face Ohio State’s senior goalkeeper Lindsay Quintiliani, who earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after shutting out Ohio.

“We haven’t focused on the other team so much. We like to focus on ourselves and what we can do better,” junior midfielder Rachel Miller said. “If there’s a goalie that’s good, we can pass it around them.”

Ohio State’s three losses have been decided by one goal. All the losses came against nationally ranked teams, two of which were ranked in the Top 10.

Last year, the Flashes lost 2-0 against Ohio State in Columbus. Miller recorded the only shot in the first half. Junior goalkeeper Caroline Suitch had nine saves.

Kent State enters Wednesday’s game with a 4-3 record after shutting out Lock Haven on Sunday.

“Our performance against Lock Haven was a total team effort,” Schanne said. “I think it’s great for (our) morale.”

During the Lock Haven game, freshman goalkeeper Kirstin Willders made her first start and saved eight goals. Her performance led to her first Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the week award.

In 111 minutes this season, Willders has 13 saves and a 1.25 goals against average.

The Lock Haven game also helped Miller earn the MAC Player of the Week award. This award was Miller’s first of the year.

Miller assisted both goals in Sunday’s match against Lock Haven and both goals in the Virginia game.

Contact sports reporter Cody Erbacher at [email protected].