Helterbran’s Header Lifts Flashes over Western Michigan in Overtime, 1-0

 

Kent State ends a four-game winless streak to the Broncos and improves to 4-2-1 in MAC play

 

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Freshman midfielder Madison Helterbran (North Canton, Ohio) picked the perfect time for her first collegiate goal, as her header off a corner kick with just 11 seconds remaining in the first overtime session gave the Kent State soccer team a 1-0 victory at Western Michigan Friday afternoon.

 

The win not only the second extra-time road win in as many games for the Golden Flashes, but halted a four-game winless streak to the Broncos, dating back to the 2008 season.

 

“It was a hard-fought game,” head coach Rob Marinaro said. “We had a great start to the game, and in overtime I felt we had the best of the opportunities. Western Michigan was very organized defensively, and we had a tough time of breaking them down.”

 

With the clock winding down in the first overtime session, junior forward Jaclyn Dutton (Bridgeport, Ohio) created a corner kick opportunity on the left side, the sixth of the game for the Golden Flashes. Dutton then teed up a service, where Helterbran headed the ball from six yards out to the far post. A Western Michigan defender was unable to clear the attempt, giving Kent State their second straight overtime road victory in MAC play.

 

Kent State (9-3-2, 4-2-1 MAC) dominated the stats sheet, outshooting Western Michigan 13-5, with a 7-1 margin in shots on goal. The Golden Flashes doubled the Broncos on corner kicks, 6-3.

 

Defensively for the Golden Flashes, of the five shots that Kent State allowed, only one attempt was on frame, which was saved by freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Senn (Grand Island, N.Y.). Senior Hannah Newhouse (Strongsville, Ohio) and freshman Briana Bartolone (Auburn, Ohio) played all 100 minutes in aiding the Golden Flashes in posting their sixth shutout of the season.

 

Western Michigan (5-7-3, 1-3-3 MAC) got six saves from goalkeeper Michelle Watson.

 

Kent State concludes the road portion of their 2012 regular season Sunday, Oct. 14 with a 1 p.m. contest at Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, Mich.