When in doubt, don’t count them out.

Kent State’s field hockey team beat Indiana University 2-1 and Longwood University 3-2 by tying both games in the final minutes of play. 

Coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer talked about her team’s ability to comeback in win games.

“I don’t exactly know what it is,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “I don’t think it is easier on us, I just think they have a lot of resilience.”

No. 24 Kent State got its first victory of the weekend against Mid-American Conference opponent Longwood on Friday.

Longwood scored late in the first period. Under 11 minutes later, KSU answered with a goal from fifth-year midfielder Clara Rodriguez Seto.

About halfway through the third period, Longwood took back the lead.

With less than three minutes left in the game, junior Maria Cambra Soler tied the game for the Flashes, assisted by senior midfielder Helena Cambra Soler and senior forward Luisa Knapp.

With 1:44 left in the game, sophomore Katie Wuerstle scored KSU’s winning goal. Junior forward Sydney Washburn picked up an assist on the play.

KSU outshot Longwood 18-9 and 11-6 in shots on goal.

Longwood dropped to 2-2 in the MAC and 6-4 overall. 

Two days later, the Flashes won in familiar fashion against Indiana. 

The Hoosiers took the lead late in the first period, and held it all the way until the final minutes of play.

Maria Cambra tied the game for the Flashes with just 1:43 left in the fourth period. Helena Cambra and Knapp each earned an assist on the play. 

Then four-and-a-half minutes into overtime, Rodriguez Seto won the game for KSU on a penalty corner. She was assisted by Knapp. 

The Flashes outshot Indiana 11-7 and 6-4 in shots on goal.

DeSandes-Moyer felt her team improved defensively against Indiana. 

“Today was much more improved defensively,” she said. “We were way sharper in recovery and in our recovery lines, and way more urgent.”

This was Kent State’s fourth overtime victory of the season.

 Kent State improved to 8-4 overall after the victory against Indiana. The Hoosiers fall to 7-7 on the year. 

DeSandes-Moyer said she was satisfied with her team’s performance over the weekend. 

“We played two strong, gritty teams this week,” she said. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I am proud of the effort.”

Kent State moves into sole possession of second place in the MAC after defeating Longwood. Miami is in first place with a 4-0 record in the MAC.

DeSandes-Moyer described the difference in preparation against an in-conference opponent versus an out-of-conference opponent. 

“There is definitely a lot more work that goes into a conference game,” she said. We know the opponents pretty well and are familiar with the players.”

The Flashes will look to take first place when Miami University travels to Kent on Friday.

Jacob Hansen is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].