Junior Kent State forward Emily Reno and senior forward for SIU-Edwards Amy Million vie for control of the ball. Kent would go on to beat out SIU-Edwards 2-1 in overtime.

David Ranucci | Daily Kent Stater

Credit: DKS Editors

The theme for the Kent State soccer team’s weekend was perseverance.

The Flashes persevered through a Friday loss to Wright State, physical play and overtime when they defeated Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 2-1 in overtime in Sunday’s home opener. The win improved the Flashes’ record to 2-1 on the season.

Junior midfielder Catharine Marosszeky scored the game-winning goal off a throw-in pass from senior forward Caitlin Hester at the 95:20 mark.

“Caitlin flips (the ball) from the other sideline, and you just have to hope that your run is timed perfectly so that you can get a piece of it,” Marosszeky said.

Marosszeky said it was great to score the game-winning goal but credited her teammates’ play.

“Scoring goals is always nice, but in the end of the day, Caitlin Hester has an amazing athletic ability to throw that ball from the sideline right into the 6-yard box,” Marosszeky said. “If it wasn’t for her or the other teammates running behind me, that wouldn’t have been in the back of the net.”

Hester was also responsible for tying the game with a goal at the 25:11 mark off an assist from freshman defender Jenni Stapleton. Southern Illinois-Edwardsville had taken the lead off a goal by senior forward Jenny Kates at the 19:19 mark.

Kent State coach Rob Marinaro said the team was inconsistent at times but is working to improve its intensity level.

“Against Wright State, we probably gave them about 20 minutes where they capitalized, and today we kind of had a lull for about five or 10 minutes and gave them a goal,” Marinaro said. “As long as we keep on closing those gaps and we keep on producing some results, we keep moving forward.”

The Flashes outshot the Cougars 12-6 and held the Cougars to one shot in the second half. The game was very physical, as the Cougars committed 12 fouls and were called for two yellow cards while the Flashes committed six fouls.

“I think we handled (the physical play) very well (and) with high standards because we’re out there to play soccer,” Marosszeky said. “I thought we had class, and we showed that we are not going to retaliate; we’re going to bring it back as a team and play soccer.”

Friday, the Flashes lost 3-1 at Wright State despite gaining an early lead on a goal by Marosszeky at the 2:31 mark. The goal was scored on a free kick that bounced off the Raiders’ defensive wall alignment.

The Flashes were held scoreless for the remainder of the game and were outshot by the Raiders 15-8. The Raiders had a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks and committed eight fouls to the Flashes’ 10.

The Raiders tied the game off a goal by freshman midfielder Sara Palermo at the 13:51 mark and took the lead on a goal by freshman forward Bekah Bonny at the 15:35 mark. The Raiders would score the final goal of the game at the 25:14 mark with another goal from Palermo.

The loss dropped the Flashes to 0-5 all-time against Wright State.

The Flashes will now embark on a five-game road trip that will start in Baton Rouge, La., this weekend. They will play Louisiana State at 8 p.m. Friday and South Florida at noon Sunday.

Contact sports reporter Nick Walton at [email protected].