Yet again, defense made the difference for Kent State’s field hockey team. 

No. 24 Kent State beat Bucknell University 2-1 after another game of being outshot by its opponent.. Bucknell outshot KSU 10-4 overall and 6-3 in shots on goal. 

In Friday’s victory over Miami, the Flashes were outshot 16-4 and 8-3 in shots on goal. 

Even though Kent State got outshot, coach Kyle DeSandes-Moyer thought her team was in command.

“We controlled the game for sure,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “We had the ball in our hands a lot, we just struggled to get a ton of outcomes at our end.”

The Flashes scored twice in the second period. Senior forward Luisa Knapp scored Kent State’s first goal seven minutes into the period. 

Knapp shot the ball short to the right after the goalie came out to contest the shot. She was assisted by senior forward Sydney Carr. 

Graduate student forward Corynne Hammit scored her first goal of the year for Kent State’s second and last goal of the day. She was assisted by Knapp on the play. 

DeSandes-Moyer was pleased with Knapp’s and her midfielders’ performance. 

“Obviously Luisa Knapp helped,” she said. “She helped with our attack and generated attacks, as well as our midfielders who really held it down. ”

Knapp was happy with her team’s performance as well. 

“I thought we played well together and used the chances we got,” Knapp said. “We had communication, stayed composed, knew what we were good at and trusted ourselves.”

In the second half, it was all defense for the Flashes.

Bucknell shut down Kent State’s offense, only allowing one shot from the Flashes in the entire second half. 

“I think we kind of sat back in the second half,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “We capitalized in the first half and struggled to continue that in the second half.” 

Bucknell made an attempt to comeback, scoring a goal in the fourth period. However, the Flashes were able to hold on for the victory. 

The Bison had all five of the penalty corners in the game. 

“Bucknell does a good job of generating corners and taking shots,” DeSandes-Moyer said. “But for the most part we did a good job of controlling the game and having more possession.”

KSU improved to 10-4 overall and 4-1 in the Mid-American Conference. Bucknell fell to 7-7 on the year. Kent State is currently in first place in the MAC. 

Knapp and the team are keeping motivated to win the MAC.

“Of course we want to win the MAC,” Knapp said. “I think we are in a good way right now, so we are going to win and go for it.”

Kent State looks to keep its five-game win streak alive when the team travels to take on MAC opponent Appalachian State University on Friday. 

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