Kent State University
4-3-0
University of Dayton
3-4-0
Flashes Triumph 1-0 Over Dayton on Senior Day
9/10/2017 4:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State soccer team (4-3) defeated Dayton (3-4) 1-0, on Senior Day at Dix Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Freshman Vital Kats scoring the match-winning goal in the 46th minute, and the Golden Flashes recorded their fourth shutout in the last five matches.
"It was a typical Sunday match with a slower start," said Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro. "I thought we saw some nice things from ourselves especially the goal which was of great quality."
The two sides played an evenly matched first period, as neither team created many opportunities with Kent State outshooting Dayton, 6-2, and each team with one shot on goal.
Vital Kats scored the lone goal for Kent State just into the second period six yards out in the left side of the box and shot it past Flyers' goalkeeper Kaelyn Johns. It is Kats' third goal of the season and team-leading seventh point. Senior Kristen Brots was credited with the assist, her second of the year, on a timely pass splitting two Dayton defenders.
"When I got the ball from Brots I was thinking put it right in the corner," said midfielder Vital Kats. "This win means everything to represent the seniors, and this win was for them."
The match got more physical as the second period progressed, and the Flashes battled to allow eight Dayton shots, with three on goal.
"When the intensity raised like that and the match become more physical, you have to continue to play and not veer from your game plan," said Rob Marinaro. "I thought we did a very nice job with it. This could have been a match that could have escalated into a lot of physicality, and we met the challenge and did very well."
Overall, Kent State led Dayton in shots (12-10), shots on goal (7-4) and corner kicks (4-3). Senior Hayden Pascoe led the Flashes with three shots, while Quincy Kellett led the Flyers with three.
The Flashes utilized two goalkeepers with senior Katie Kingsbury receiving the start, and playing the entire first half while making one save. Junior Ashley McDonald entered to play the second period to make three saves and improved her record to 3-2. The Flyers' Kaelyn Johns made seven saves and drops to 3-4.
Kent State has shutout its last three opponents, all 1-0 decisions, against Florida Atlantic, Pitt and Dayton. The Golden Flashes improved to 2-1 in the friendly confines of Dix Stadium.
The Golden Flashes honored their seven seniors before the match - Katie Kingsbury, Karli Paracca, Hayden Pascoe, Jaime Eiben, Mackenzie Lesnick, Kristen Brots and Donavan Capehart – as part of senior day festivities.
Kent State has one match on tap next week, when they travel to the Queen City for a Thursday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. tilt with the Xavier Muskateers. The following weekend, the Flashes return to Dix Stadium on Friday, Sept. 22, to battle Central Michigan at 7 p.m. to begin Mid-American Conference play.
Team Stats
KATS, Vital (3)
Assisted By: BROTS, Kristen , PASCOE, Hayden
6 yards out from the left side, inside t
46:24
