After losing two home games last weekend, the Kent State soccer team (5-8, 2-4 Mid-American Conference) will try to break a four-game losing streak this weekend.

The Flashes, who are tied for eighth place in the MAC, continue their four-game homestand this weekend against Western Michigan and Northern Illinois.

“We definitely are not only upset about losing four in a row but two at home hurts a lot,” senior midfielder Brittany Dougherty said. “I think that, as a team, nobody likes losing four in a row, so there’s a desire and an urgency to win a game at home.”

Going into last weekend Kent State was undefeated at home until losses against Central Michigan (3-9-1, 2-3-1 MAC) and Eastern Michigan (7-3-4, 3-1-2 MAC).

The Flashes had opportunities to score with a total of 18 shots-on-goal in the two games, but were only able to score two goals over the weekend.

Dougherty said the focus this weekend is improving on scoring near the goal.

“We possessed and dominated the majority of the game, but just in the 18-yard box is when we fell apart,” Dougherty said.

Kent State coach Rob Marinaro said the team will convert scoring opportunities as long as they continue to be in those situations.

“I think the team knows that they’ve been playing very well,” Marinaro said. “We just need to work on defending set pieces and putting away our own set pieces.”

Marinaro said the team is focused and confident that they can produce goals this weekend.

The Flashes will play Western Michigan today at 4 p.m. The Broncos are coming off of a win against Akron and a tie against Ohio and is in front of the Flashes in standings at seventh place in the conference. Kent State defeated Western Michigan last season 2-0.

Sunday, the Flashes play Northern Illinois at 1 p.m. Northern Illinois is coming off two wins against Ohio and Akron and is fifth in the conference. Kent State defeated Northern Illinois last season 1-0 in double overtime.

“They’re hard-nosed teams,” Marinaro said. “It’s going to be two strong battles this weekend and whoever fights the hardest is going to come out with the win.”

Contact sports reporter Nick Walton at [email protected].