Freshman midfielder Annika Gouws passes the ball to her teammate late into the second half during the Flashes’ 4-0 victory over conference opponent Missouri State on Friday. BRIAN MARKS | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Jason Hall

Once again, the Kent State field hockey team had another bittersweet weekend.

The sweetness coming in a 4-0 win to Missouri State; while the bitterness came in a 1-2 loss at Ohio (10-7, 7-2 Mid-American Conference). This was Ohio’s first regular season defeat of Kent State since 2001.

Sophomore forward Natalie Barrett gave the Flashes an early lead over the Bobcats when she put in her fourth goal of the season on her only shot of the day.

Barrett’s goal would be the high-point of the day for Kent State’s offense. The Flashes would only put up three more shots and force just two corners the rest of the match.

Ohio’s Torrie Albini scored two first-half goals in six minutes to give the Bobcats a 2-1 victory. Ohio also out shot Kent State 11-4 and had eight more penalty corners.

On one of the ugliest fall days of the year, the Flashes played one of their most beautiful games.

In weather conditions that included rain, wind and temperatures in the mid-40s, Kent State defeated Missouri State on Friday.

Coach Kathleen Schanne said the Flashes had one of their better performances of the year.

“I did see this performance coming,” Schanne said. “I was just waiting for it to happen. It was one of our best games, but not the best. I’m happy with the shutout, and I’m happy with the attacking play.”

Interceptions by the Kent State (6-12, 3-5 Mid-American Conference) defense and midfield, kept the ball on its half of the field for most of the game. Kent State attacked Missouri State (5-10, 1-5 MAC) goalie Kim Kinsella, who led the nation in save percentage coming into the game, from a variety of angles.

Thirty minutes and several diving saves later, Kinsella allowed the first goal of the game when junior midfielder Anna McComb redirected a shot by senior midfielder Liz Fettrow. This was McComb’s first goal for the Flashes.

“It was very exciting,” McComb said. “I’ve been playing defense for most of my time here at Kent State, so I haven’t really had a chance to score. “

Kent State took the 1-0 lead into the half. Schanne said they could have scored more if it wasn’t for some sloppy moments.

“In the first half we were undisciplined a couple times,” Schanne said. “We didn’t give precise passing to players who were in scoring position. We hit the ball into the goal keeper’s pads. “

Early in the second half, the Flashes put the game away. First, junior midfielder Charlotte Muller scored her sixth goal of the season. Less than three minutes later, freshman midfielder Annika Gouws converted a penalty stroke to give the Flashes a 3-0 lead . The goal was Gouws’ first of the season.

Schanne said that precision was the key and that she was happy with her midfielders.

“In practice we talked about being precise,” Schanne said. “We talked about having to be clinical in the circle and having to pass around the keeper. I think it could have been 14-0.”

Senior forward Kate Perry gave Kent State a 4-0 lead when she scored her MAC-leading 11th goal of the year.

Schanne credited the defensive’s shutout performance to being organized and running an effective press that led to interceptions. Missouri State finished the game with just two shots on goal.

McComb said the team finally played a complete game.

“We worked out our kinks and were able to put it together,” McComb said. “Today, we played a full game of hockey instead of just having moments of greatness.”

Kent State will play Central Michigan (10-8, 5-3 MAC) in the final regular season game of the year at 11 a.m. Saturday at Murphy Mellis field.

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