Dutton scores equalizing goal in the 52^nd minute, but the Bulls respond seconds later with eventual game-winner

 

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women’s soccer team (12-8-0) lost a tough 2-1 contest to Buffalo Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Mid-American Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament.

 

Kent State sophomore Jaclyn Dutton (Bridgeport, Ohio) scored for the Golden Flashes in the 52^nd minute on a free kick for the lone goal for the home squad.

 

“Today we fell on the short end,” said head coach Rob Marinaro. “We fought really hard today, but give Buffalo credit for their battle.”

 

Buffalo (12-4-4) scored the game’s first goal in the 41^st minute with a header from close range after dribbling down the left side. The Bulls took the 1-0 advantage to the intermission, despite Kent State’s 7-5 shots discrepancy.

 

Staying composed, Kent State kept its pressure forward and had an opportunity in the 52^nd minute when Buffalo was whistled for a foul at the right corner of the penalty box. From 22 yards out, Dutton precisely placed her shot to the upper far corner, carrying in despite a finger tip effort by Buffalo goalkeeper Ainsley Wheldon.

 

 “That was a great free kick,” said Marinaro. “That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself to strike it from there, and she did extremely well with it.”

 

But less than a minute later Buffalo answered. Off an errant ball in the Kent State penalty box, Buffalo converted from 15 yards out on the left side.

 

With 15 minutes remaining, Kent State began to adjust for more offense in search of the equalizer. With just over 10 minutes remaining, it looked as if Kent State had gotten the game’s tying goal when junior Megan Repas (Avon, Ohio) fired in a throw in deep on the left side, finding the head of classmate Sara Henderson (Strongsville, Ohio). But Henderson’s flicking header, which found its way into the net, was not a goal due to an offsides penalty.

 

It was one of two shots that found the back of the net that were disallowed for Kent State; Repas had a shot in the first half waived off also due to an offsides infraction.

 

Buffalo finished with a 14-13 shots advantage, but Kent State had a 5-2 margin in corner kicks. Both teams tallied seven shots on goal.

 

For the season, Kent State finished with the second-most victories in program history, missing the team record by one win. The Golden Flashes also had their first season where five players reached double figures in scoring.

 

Defensively, senior Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) finished in the top five in multiple team career categories, including shutouts, saves, goals-against average and victories. Sherwood finished with four of the team’s five saves in Sunday’s setback.

 

“If you look all the way back, it was a wonderful season,” said Marinaro. “The entire team turned the program around, going from four wins to 12 wins – you have to give this team a lot of credit.”