The Kent State women’s lacrosse team continued its record breaking season on Saturday by defeating Central Michigan 17-15 for the first time in program history.

The Chippewas were unbeaten MAC leaders going into the contest, but they are now in a three-way tie with Kent State and Robert Morris for first place. 

“Coming from where we were my freshman year, we were 0-6 going home to Covid,” senior attack Kenzie Sklar said. “Now beating CMU, beating RMU, we are that team now so it’s so awesome, especially being my last year.”

Junior attack Jackie Wolford led the Flashes with six goals while sophomore Allie Lee added five.

“It was awesome but I think my team was the one that got me to where we needed to go,” Wolford said. “It was a great overall team win and we all did what we needed to do.” 

Freshman midfielder Zayda Crumpton contributed another record by breaking the single season number for draw controls with 62. Draw controls are a battle for the ball between two players from opposing teams. Whoever wins will gain and start the possession for their team. 

“She’s the best, she’s such a great athlete and even a good leader as a freshman,” coach Brianna Tierney said. “I remember in the fall saying to her, I want you to be freshman of the year in the MAC, and I think she is making a run at it.”

The Flashes used Crumpton’s excellence in the draw to gain possessions early, taking a 5-1 lead in the first quarter. The Chippewas refused to go away and tied the game at six, five minutes before halftime.

Wolford halted the run with two goals of her own, but Central Michigan scored with twenty seconds remaining for a halftime score of 8-7 with the Flashes leading.

CMU opened the third quarter with three-straight goals to take a 10-8 lead. The Flashes responded with two goals from Lee, one from Wolford and another from Sklar to take a 12-11 lead with one quarter remaining. 

After a back-and-forth start to the final period, the game was tied at 15 with six minutes left after CMU scored. Two minutes later Lee scored the winning goal off an assist from Wolford. Wolford added another goal with one minute left to secure the win, 17-15.

The Flashes will move on to the final week of the regular season in a tie for first place in the conference with just two games remaining. If Kent State can win out, the team will earn the right to host a MAC playoff game.

“They are feeling more excited than they ever have for the MAC tournament and they’re confident,” Tierney said. “Just trying to keep them all focused.” 

The final week for Kent State starts on the road 5 p.m. Wednesday at Detroit Mercy.

Matthew Franos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].