Kent State senior defenseman Britt Laing kicks the ball to get it away from the opposition. Kent State won 2 to 1 against Central Michigan on Friday. KATIE ROUPE | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Jason Hall

The Kent State soccer team extended its home winning streak to 10 games, dating back to last season, with a pair of victories this weekend against Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

The Flashes, who defeated Central Michigan 2-1 on Friday, were lead by sophomore midfielder/forward Caitlin Hester and junior midfielder/forward Lisa Kurz.

Hester and the Flashes struck first, just nine minutes into the contest, when forward Danie Irwin’s pass found Hester, who finished the ball for her third goal of the season.

Hester understands the importance of valuable team leadership.

“Last year the team had a lot of seniors who provided leadership, now that they’re gone its my turn to step in and try and take over that role,” Hester said.

Central Michigan, which began the season on a seven-game winning streak, already has wins over quality opponents. The Chippewas defeated a Big Ten team in Michigan State in the season opener and also upset nationally ranked Nebraska.

“We were really excited and pumped up to play Central Michigan,” Hester said. They are a great team and have a great record,”

The Chippewas answered Kent State’s goal midway through the first half on an assist by Jacquie Lacek, who led the MAC in scoring with five goals going into Friday’s game. Lacek sent the ball across the center of the goal box, as teammate Stephanie Martin put it past the Kent State goalkeeper for the equalizer.

The Flashes regained the lead midway through the second half. Kurz was set-up by Hester and Irwin for the go-ahead goal. It was Hester’s long throw in combined with Irwin’s touch pass that set up Kurz for the eventual game winner.

It was Kurz’s second game-winning goal of the season and fifth of her career.

Senior goalkeeper Alicia Fernandez withstood a barrage of shots in the final nine minutes to secure the victory. Fernandez, who had four saves in the final minutes, finished the game with a career-high 12 saves.

Yesterday the home streak winning continued.

Caitlin Hester scored her fourth goal of the season on a controversial call. Eastern Michigan’s goalkeeper appeared to make the initial save on the ball. However, the line judge ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line, crediting Hester for the goal. Eagles coaches were irate and cautioned with a yellow card.

Despite being down, the Eagles converted on a corner kick. Maggie Christensen, taking the corner kick, floated the ball into the goal box, where teammate Emu Zundel put the ball past Fernandez for the goal. The teams battled the rest of regulation and entered overtime tied 1-1.

It was an impressive overtime goal by Kimberly Dimitroff that sealed the game and persevered the winning streak Dimitroff found space and beat three Eagles defenders and the goalie for the game winner.

“It was really an important weekend for us, we earned some valuable points that will help us in the standings,” Dimitroff said.

Contact soccer reporter Steve Voicik at [email protected].