YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Kent State women’s soccer team (8-3-0, 2-1-0 MAC) weathered the weather and a frenetic push late by Eastern Michigan as the Golden Flashes posted a 2-1 victory over the Eagles Friday afternoon at Scicluna Field.

 

“We showed tremendous resolve to get back at it,” said head coach Rob Marinaro.

 

Sophomore Jaclyn Dutton (Bridgeport, Ohio) scored her second game-winning goal in as many outings, while junior Sara Henderson (Strongsville, Ohio) tallied her first goal of the season to lift the Golden Flashes. Junior Megan Repas (Avon, Ohio) assisted on both Kent State scores.

 

Both teams were scoreless through the first half, as Kent State couldn’t capitalize on a 9-2 shots advantage in the stanza.

 

Kent State responded early in the second half, however, as the Golden Flashes got on the board in the 51^st minute, mounting a counter-attack after an Eastern Michigan header hit off Kent State’s crossbar. Off a corner kick by Dutton, which was knocked down by blustery winds, freshman Mariah Sidwell (London, Ontario) tracked the ball and combined with Repas to set up Henderson. Henderson’s shot found the top left corner.

 

But the Eastern Michigan (0-9-1, 0-3-0 MAC) pressed numbers forward, and the Eagles scored the game’s equalizer in the 86^th minute.

 

“Eastern Michigan is a very good team, and their record is not indicative of the competitiveness that team has,” said Marinaro. “They pressed forward late and put a great opportunity away.”

 

Kent State refused to buckle. Just over a minute later, Dutton worked with Repas to gain possession deep in Eastern Michigan’s end. Dutton then fired a shot from 12 yards that saw its way inside of the near post at the upper corner.

 

Senior goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) finished with eight saves, a season-high for saves in a victory. Sherwood and the Kent State defense fended off a pair of corner kicks and a final shot on goal in the game’s waning moments to preserve the win.

 

Kent State is back in action Sunday, Oct. 2 when the Golden Flashes travel to regionally-ranked Central Michigan (7-1-3, 1-0-2 MAC) at 2:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through kentstatesports.com.