<p><strong>CLEVELAND, Ohio &ndash;</strong>&nbsp;The Kent State women's soccer team (1-0-0) utilized a dominant second half effort to register a 2-0 victory over regional foe Cleveland State Friday evening at CSU's Krenzler Field in the season opener for both teams.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>An own goal in the first half and an insurance goal by junior&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/gironda%20jessacca">Jessacca Gironda</a>&nbsp;(Akron, Ohio) in the second stanza provided the scores for Kent State's 12^th&nbsp;ever season-opening victory in the program's 16^th&nbsp;season of intercollegiate competition.</p> <div> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"Getting a win on the road to start the season is extremely important to help build our confidence," said head coach&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/coaches/Rob_Marinaro" target="_self">Rob Marinaro</a>. "Cleveland State is hard-working team, and they are doing very well. For us to get a win on the road is big, and we look to keep it going from here."</p> &nbsp;</div> <p>Kent State's defense set the tone on the evening, holding Cleveland State without a shot on goal on seven attempts on the way to the shutout. A stout defensive effort, anchored by senior&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/newhouse%20hannah">Hannah Newhouse</a>(Strongsville, Ohio), helped freshman goalkeeper<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/senn%20stephanie">Stephanie Senn</a>&nbsp;(Grand Island, N.Y.) earn the save in her first collegiate appearance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/sidwell%20mariah">Mariah Sidwell</a>&nbsp;(London, Ontario),&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/bartolone%20briana">Briana Bartolone</a>(Auburn, Ohio) and&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/lawrence%20katherine">Katherine Lawrence</a>&nbsp;(Ajax, Ontario) also started for Kent State's defense, while&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/mahoney%20ashley">Ashley Mahoney</a>&nbsp;(Cincinnati, Ohio) spelled members of the back line throughout the contest.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"Our entire team played great defensively," Marinaro said. "And we had a well-organized back line tonight that won a lot of 50-50 balls to help our effort."</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Despite the host Vikings taking the first four shots of the game, Kent State got on the board in the 20^th&nbsp;minute when Newhouse fired in a dangerous free kick from the center of the field that was deflected into Cleveland State's net by a Vikings defender.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Kent State made it 2-0 early in the second half after getting deep following a free kick. Again, it was a Newhouse free kick, this time from the right side, which pressured Cleveland State into giving up a throw in deep in their end.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>From there,&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/dutton%20jaclyn">Jaclyn Dutton</a>&nbsp;(Bridgeport, Ohio) quickly found the feet of&nbsp;<a href="http://kentstatesports.com/sports/wsoc/2012-13/bios/haugh%20stephanie">Stephanie Haugh</a>&nbsp;(Richmond Hill, Ontario), whose quick spinning flick to save the ball from the end line found the head of Gironda.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>"It was a fantastic goal," Marinaro said. "The buildup was great to watch, the service was nice, and Gironda got a great header to finish the play."</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Gironda's strike in the 51^st&nbsp;minute from eight yards out was her 15^th&nbsp;goal as a collegian, moving the junior into a tie for sixth place in team history for career goals.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Cleveland State started out the aggressor, outshooting Kent State 5-1 to start the game. But the Golden Flashes emerged as the game continued, finishing with a 10-7 shots advantage, including five shots on frame.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Vikings goalkeeper Sarah Wood made two of the team's three saves in the setback.</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <p>Kent State is back in action Sunday, Aug. 19 with a 1 p.m. home contest against Morehead State at Zoeller Field. Morehead State is coming off a 3-2 setback to Akron Friday afternoon.</p>