The Kent State women’s lacrosse team celebrated senior day by securing a share of the MAC conference regular season championship last Saturday. 

Kent State ends the regular season at 10-7 overall and 7-1 in the MAC, with tons of record breaking victories and performances. The one to top it all off was winning the regular season MAC championship for the first time in program history.

The Flashes defeated Youngstown State 18-16 behind seven goals from junior attack Jackie Wolford and six goals from senior attack Kenzie Sklar.

Youngstown State jumped out to an early lead after two goals in the first three minutes. Kent State kept it close as Sklar opened the scoring while sophomore attack Allie Lee added another for a 4-2 deficit after one quarter.

After ten minutes in the second quarter, the Penguins led 8-4. Sklar and Wolford then ripped off two goals a piece to tie the game.  Youngstown State scored at the buzzer to take a 9-8 lead into halftime.

The third quarter was back-and-forth as both teams scored seven goals in the quarter. Wolford had a hat trick in the quarter while Sklar added two more. Lee and sophomore attack Megan Cook also contributed goals for the Flashes.

Kent State’s defense picked up the intensity in the fourth quarter by shutting out the Penguins. Freshman midfielder Zayda Crumpton scored five minutes into the quarter to tie the game at 16. 

Wolford scored two more goals to extend the lead 18-16 with seven minutes remaining. Junior goalkeeper Taylor Monturo, who entered the game in the third quarter, had five saves. The Flashes defense then hung on to secure a senior day victory.

The Flashes will travel to Moon Township, PA as the number two seed. 

The team will face Central Michigan at 4 p.m. Thursday for a chance to play in the MAC tournament championship game.

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