Courtesy: Kent State Athletic Communications http://www.kentstatesports. com Gabi Ingram and the Flashes host Michigan State Friday.

The Kent State women's soccer team (4-2-0), winners of three straight contests away from home, returns to its friendly confines this week when the Golden Flashes entertain Michigan State Friday, Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. at the KSU Soccer Field. The contest signifies the final non-conference match for KSU.

Friday's game will feature live stats, which are available here.

In A Flash: Friday marks just the third time in nine meetings a Big Ten foe will face the Golden Flashes in Kent, Ohio.

Flash Forward: Kent State will begin Mid-American Conference play during the current three-game home series when the Flashes entertain Ball State Sept. 25.

Scouting the Flashes: Sophomore defender Vanessa Salerno (Etobicoke, Ontario) was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week Sept. 14 after scoring her first collegiate goal Sept. 13 against CS Northridge, converting in overtime on an unassisted strike to give Kent State a 1-0 win over the Matadors.

Salerno and the Kent State defense registered a 0.49 GAA last week thanks to the team's shutout against CS Northridge, the second shutout in three outings for the Flashes. Goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) boasts a 0.79 goals-against average through six games with 20 saves and two shutouts.

Kellyn Flanagan (Medina, Ohio) and Catharine Marosszeky (Aurora, Ontario) each scored in Kent State's 2-1 win over Tulsa Sept. 11 and are tied for the team lead in points with two goals and four points apiece. Both of Flanagan's goals have been game-winning strikes.

In the first round of NCAA statistics available Sept. 15, Kent State is ranked 67th in the nation in goals-against average (0.786) and is also in the top 100 in save percentage (86th, 0.821).

Scouting the Opponents: Michigan State (5-0-1) entered the week ranked fourth in the latest NSCAA Great Lakes Region rankings and were receiving votes in the organization's national poll. The Spartans are coming off a 3-1 win over Detroit Sept. 15, a victory that improved MSU to 5-0-0 at home.

The one-two punch of Lauren Hill and Laura Heyboer are pacing the Spartans offensively, as the duo has 29 of the team's 59 points through six games. Hill ranks fourth in the NCAA with 18 points on eight goals and two assists. Between the pipes is Jill Flietstra, who has a 0.33 goals-against average in six games thanks to three solo shutouts.