Soccer players seeking revenge at Michigan

Deanna Stevens

Senior Jen Frey jumps to head the ball during a home game against Miami of Ohio Sunday afternoon at Kent Soccer Field. Kent State won the game 4-1, which is the first MAC win. The Flashes’ next game is today at Central Michigan.

Credit: Jason Hall

Ever heard of the saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”? Well, just think if there were 25 angry women.

This is the case of the Kent State soccer team who faces Central Michigan at 4 p.m. today.

The Flashes make their first road trip of Mid-American Conference play to Michigan, to face the Chippewas and Eastern Michigan.

Last September, the Chippewas had their way with the Flashes, with a 4-0 victory at Kent. They scored 42 seconds into the game and never looked back. The four-point deficit was the first loss of the season. Also it was the worst loss for the Flashes since October of 2001. The Flashes have been looking forward to this rematch since last season. Sophomore Amy Kessler is especially excited for the chance to even the score.

“I’m looking forward to playing Central Michigan,” Kessler said in a recent interview. “We lost 4-0 to them last year, and I thought we could have beaten them.”

Central Michigan scored three of the four goals in the first half and out-shot the Flashes 16-7 overall.

While the Flashes are seeking revenge against Central Michigan, they are also trying to defend themselves against it by Eastern Michigan, whom they play at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Last season, the Flashes came off of the Chippewa loss to compete against the Eagles. But this match went to the side of the blue and gold, with a Flashes’ 2-1 overtime win. That victory was the first overtime win for the Flashes in 2004.

Sophomore Kimberly Dimitroff scored both goals for Kent State, including the game winner two minutes into the overtime.

As with last Sunday’s win against Miami of Ohio, coach Rob Marinro continues to look for his team to outwork their opponents as he mentioned after their last game, a 4-1 win over the RedHawks.

Currently, the Chippewas have a 3-5-1 record and are undefeated at 2-0 in the MAC. They are also coming into today’s game on a two-game win steak. Eastern Michigan is 3-6-1, and is coming off a loss to Buffalo. They will face Ohio before they play Kent State.

Contact soccer reporter Deanna Stevens at [email protected].