Senior midfielder Lisa Kurz heads the ball back toward the Youngstown State goal during yesterday afternoon’s game. The Flashes won over the Penguins 2 – 0. ELIZABETH MYERS | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Jason Hall

Kent State proved Wednesday that being productive offensively can sometimes be the best defensive plan.

Registering 16 total shots on goal, the Flashes gained their first home win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Youngstown State.

Freshman Annie Messer notched her first goal of the season – and of her Kent State career – off a pass from senior Dana Neroni at the 33:39 mark of the first half.

“It came from teamwork mostly,” Messer said. “It felt really good.”

Teamwork played a huge part in the win for the Flashes. Players on the field, as well as the entire sideline, were very vocal throughout the game.

“We wanted this one bad,” Messer said. “Everyone hustled out there. It was really good.”

The Flashes had many opportunities to put points on the board, yet were unable to early on. When the goal finally came, momentum was fully in the Flashes’ favor.

At halftime, the shots on goal totals were 8-1 in favor of Kent State. Junior goalkeeper Kris Nelson didn’t face a shot on goal until the 14:02 mark in the first half.

At halftime the Golden Flashes were in the same position as in the game against the Pittsburgh on Sunday. In that game, Kent State held on until about eight minutes to play when their 1-0 lead was erased. Then, with eight seconds left, Pitt scored to win the game.

After the Pitt game, Kent State coach Rob Marinaro preached about finishing. He said that they were having trouble finishing the game in the final minutes. The Flashes were able to accomplish this on Wednesday.

Kent State held the same momentum they had in the first half and kept the offensive onslaught going.

Eight additional shots were registered, while only allowing an additional one for YSU.

Senior Brittany Fracasso would tally her first goal of the season off of a pass from senior Kimberly Dimitroff. The goal came with one minute left to play in regulation.

Nelson registered her first shutout of the year, stopping the two shots she faced. Dimitroff’s assist now gives her 64 points for her career. This places her just 12 points behind Lauren Caminati on the all-time scoring list.

The Flashes are scheduled to face Maryland on Saturday at 7 p.m. Kent State will not return home until Oct. 12 when they face Bowling Green at 4 p.m. on the Kent State soccer field.

Contact soccer reporter Chris Gates at [email protected].

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