Heading up north, the Kent State women’s lacrosse team won a high-scoring conference match-up against Detroit Mercy 15-7 this weekend. This sets the team’s season record at 7-7, and its conference record at 2-3.
The Flashes started hot and outscored their opponent from the jump, something that KSU has struggled with in previous games. Everything was coming up roses for the Flashes as they outperformed the Titans in several categories throughout the game, including shots on goal, draw controls and ground balls.
Just after junior attacker Morgan Halli opened the scoring 30 seconds into the game, Detroit Mercy immediately tied it. However, the Flashes scored five more in the first quarter and finished it with a lead of 6-2.
Senior attacker Riley Floyd scored as well as senior attacker Lizzie Lundeen and senior midfielder Zayda Crumpton. Halli scored her second, and junior midfielder Megan Klepacki gave the Flashes their final goal of the first quarter to make the score 6-2.
The second quarter went much like the first, with five more goals. Halli opened the second quarter scoring with her third, for a hat trick. Then, Lundeen scored two in a row to get a hat-trick for herself. Crumpton scored her second of the day, and junior midfielder Eva Anderson closed out the first half with a goal.
“I talked to Morgan Halli about starting a little faster,” coach Brianne Tierney said. “She takes opportunities at the end of the game, and just kind of does it herself. I told her we needed that first and second quarter, which she did today, and it was awesome. She did a great job.”
A KSU player recorded another hat-trick when Crumpton scored halfway through the third quarter, then Anderson scored her second and Halli scored her fourth.
This consistent lead allowed almost every player on the roster to get some good playing time.
“We got everybody eligible to play in,” Tierney said. “So that was awesome, to give them minutes and get them quality minutes was really good, save legs for Wednesday.”
The last goal of the game came from sophomore attacker Kenzie Gash in the fourth quarter. It was her first goal of the season.
Floyd, sophomore defenseman Anna Zucconi, senior midfielder Megan Haddow and sophomore midfielder Josie Wallace each had two ground balls, and Haddow recorded five draw controls.
Junior goalkeeper Sydney Davis played for three quarters and recorded four saves, while sophomore Gabi Buckenberger was in the net for one quarter.
Key Stats
Crumpton is still leading the Flashes with 31 goals. Just below her is Halli with 26.
To no one’s surprise, Crumpton is still leading the team in assists (14), points (45), shots (114), shots on goal (70) and draw controls (38). Second in assists is Lundeen with eight. Second in points is Halli with 33.
Sophomore defenseman Anna Zucconi leads the team in ground balls with 40, and senior midfielder Meghan Haddow is behind her with 32.
Davis is leading goalkeeping with 133 saves and a save percentage of .517.
What’s Next
The Flashes will head south on Wednesday to play the Ohio State Buckeyes for a non-conference game. KSU is 0-2 all-time against OSU, who is currently sitting at 8-6.
Audrey McCarthy is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].