Senior goalkeeper Linz Markwart attempts to save the ball during Kent State’s 3-0 loss to Central Michigan Saturday in the regular-season finale. The Flashes begin the MAC Tournament Thursday at Ohio. SEAN DAUGHERTY | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Jason Hall

The Kent State field hockey team ran into a familiar problem in its regular-season finale against Central Michigan.

Throughout the season, the coaches and players have stated that inconsistency has been a problem.

In Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Central Michigan, Kent State coach Kathleen Schanne said it happened again.

“I thought there was some really beautiful play,” Schanne said. “Twenty percent of the game we played great, but you have to play more than 20 percent to win.”

The Flashes are going to try to forget about Saturday’s loss, Schanne said, and focus on their next challenge.

“I think we are just going to put this game behind us and look forward to the Mid-American Conference tournament,” Schanne said.

Central Michigan (11-9, 6-4 MAC) kept the ball and most of the action on the Kent State (6-14, 3-7 MAC) side of the rain-soaked field for majority of the first half.

After several close shot attempts, Samantha Sandham scored on an unassisted fast break to give Central Michigan a 1-0 lead.

The Flashes came alive after Sandham’s goal by forcing more of the play toward the Chippewas’ side of the field, but it was little help. Their first-half surge consisted of just one shot on goal that was blocked.

Schanne said a lack of execution was one of the team’s main problems against Central Michigan.

“We just were not connecting up front,” Schanne said. “We didn’t execute a couple of things that we went through in practice well.”

Playing in her last home game, senior goalie Linz Markwart kept the contest close in the second half with eight stops, two of which were diving saves.

However, with 10 minutes left to play, Sandham scored again.

Kent State allowed a season-high 24 shots. Senior forward Kate Perry and junior midfielders Anna McComb and Charlotte Muller all had shots on goal for the Flashes.

Fifth-seeded Kent State will play the fourth seed at Ohio University in the first round of the MAC tournament Thursday.

Contact field hockey reporter Tyler McIntosh at [email protected].