Courtesy: Kent State Athletic Communications http://www.kentstatesports. com Freshman Rachel Dennis shook the nets for her first collegiate goal Thursday against Buffalo; her goal was also the game-winner.

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Kent State women's soccer team (8-8-2, 4-5-2 MAC) stopped a three-game losing streak with a convincing 2-0 victory over Buffalo Thursday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams. The loss dropped Buffalo to 3-15-1 overall and 2-8-1 in MAC play.

"It was important for us to build confidence and get back to what we know we can accomplish, which was playing a good 90 minutes," said head coach Rob Marinaro. We played well today."

Senior Catharine Marosszeky (Aurora, Ontario) came off the bench to rally the Kent State attack, as she assisted on the game-winning goal in the game's 43^rd minute while adding an insurance goal in the 83^rd minute on a penalty kick.

Freshman Rachel Dennis (Canton, Ohio) scored her first career goal and registered what proved to be the game-winning strike in the first half. Off a Kent State throw-in, Dennis connected with Marosszeky when the senior flicked the ball to the rookie forward. There, Dennis settled, turn and fired for the goal.

Marosszeky's insurance goal came late in the contest on a penalty kick. Fellow senior L.A. Thoma (Alliance, Ohio) was brought down in the penalty box on a foul by a Buffalo defender. Marosszeky calmly put the spot-kick away to give the senior her 17^th career goal.

Kent State finished with an 18-7 margin in shots, including 11 attempts in the first half. The Flashes also had a 10-2 lead in shots on goal, with three coming from Marosszeky.

Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) anchored the Kent State defense with two saves for the team's sixth shutout of the season.

"I think our overall team defense was excellent today," said Marinaro. "It was a good hard-working effort; we made sure we came out with a positive result."

Kent State will now prepare for No. 2 seed Eastern Michigan, as the Flashes will face the Eagles Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. The winner of that game will take on the winner of No. 3 Akron/No. 6 Miami in semifinal action Friday, Nov. 6.