Haugh tallies game-winner in 107^th minute

 

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State soccer team (5-0-1) remained unbeaten on the season Friday afternoon after withstanding an offensive-minded Marshall squad to claim a 2-1 overtime victory at Zoeller Field.

 

The team’s unbeaten mark through six contests is the best start in program history.

 

Sophomore Stephanie Haugh (Richmond Hill, Ontario) notched a goal and an assist in the win, with her score in the game’s 107^th minute lifting the Golden Flashes in overtime. Teammate and leading scorer Jaclyn Dutton (Bridgeport, Ohio) also scored in the contest for her seventh strike of the season.

 

Kent State’s defense was not to be looked past, as the Golden Flashes held a hard-pressing Marshall attack in check. The Herd out-shot Kent State 16-12 in the contest, resulting in six saves for freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Senn (Grand Island, N.Y.).

 

The Golden Flashes got on the board in the 14^th minute on Kent State’s first shot on goal in the contest. Starting with Senn, the freshman goalkeeper punted the ball away to Haugh, who headed a flick onto the fleet feet of Dutton. Dutton found the back of the net on the right side for her seventh goal of the year.

 

Marshall (3-4-0) fired away in the first half with eight shots, including four on frame, but could not break through. It wasn’t until the second half, however, that the Herd finally tallied. Kelly Culicerto gathered a loose ball to beat Senn to the far post in the game’s 86^th minute, ultimately forcing extra time.

 

The Herd again was on the attack, tallying three shots in the first overtime, but Kent State answered in the second overtime. Early in the 107^th minute, Kent State mounted an attack that forced Marshall goalkeeper Lindsey Kerns to the edge of the box. A collision ensued with Kerns and a Marshall defender, and the ball snuck towards the goal. Haugh was there to knock the ball into an open goal mouth from 10 yards, resulting in the golden goal for the Golden Flashes.

 

Senn finished with six saves, while Marshall’s Kerns registered five saves in the setback.

 

Kent State is back in action Sunday, Sept. 16 for a 1 p.m. contest against Duquesne at Zoeller Field. The game will not only mark Senior Day for the Golden Flashes, but the team’s “Kick CF” fund raiser to raise Cystic Fibrosis awareness.