The Kent State field hockey team (2-3) played four games this season before an opponent outshot them. During Sunday’s contest against Stanford, the Flashes suffered a 7-1 defeat while being outshot for the first time this season.

Kent State averaged 21 shots in its previous games, but shot the ball only 11 times against Stanford. Sophomore forward Debbie Bell led the team with five shot attempts.

The Flashes’ goal came from the stick of junior forward Nicole Leach 60 minutes into the game.

Junior goalkeeper Caroline Suitch tied a season-high eight saves while playing only 43 minutes. Stanford kept pounding the ball toward the net as they scored five goals on Suitch.

Freshman goalkeeper Kristin Willders relieved Suitch for the last 27 minutes of the match. Willders made five saves and gave up two goals.

Freshman Becky Dru ignited the Cardinal offense, scoring the first goal at the 17:07 mark. Two minutes later, sophomore forward Stephanie Byrne pounded in the first of her two goals in the game. Junior midfielder/forward Jaimee Erickson finished the first half with a goal in the period’s final 14 seconds.

Stanford continued the second half by scoring four goals to seal the victory.

On Saturday, the Flashes fell to California 2-0. California sophomore midfielder Jessica Kreck scored the only two goals of the game.

After only shooting the ball once during the first half, Kent State recorded eight shots in the second half in an attempt at a comeback. Bell led the team with five shots. California fired eight total shots on goal in the game.

The Flashes host No. 6 Virginia at 1 p.m. Friday at Murphy-Mellis Field.

Contact sports reporter Cody Erbacher at [email protected].