The Kent State women’s field hockey team (4-2) fell to the Monmouth Blue Hawks, receiving their first loss at home since Sept. 21, 2014.

The Flashes suffered from a slow start by going scoreless in the first half of Friday’s game. Meanwhile Monmouth’s Alyssa Ercolino recorded her team’s first goal less than 10 minutes into the game. The score would remain 1-0 for the entirety of the first period.

Kent State is continuously proving to be a 2nd period contender this year. Of the 15 goals that they have scored this season, three have been recorded in the first half of their games, while a whopping 12 of these goals have been scored in the second half. The game this Friday against Monmouth proved to be no different. The Flashes came out looking energetic and focused; taking 11 shots in the second half.

Kent State Senior Madison Thompson and Redshirt Junior Alison Harmatz would take advantage of this energy, both scoring one goal a piece in the second period. Thompson’s goal would come early, scoring by getting a rebound from a corner shot, tying the game at 1-1 until Monmouth’s Julie Laszlo would up the team’s score to two just six minutes later, assisted by Meg Donahue and Ercolino. Harmatz’s tying goal would not come until late in the game, scoring with just 15 minutes left on the clock.

Goalie Andrea Rinehart of Kent State showed great effort, stopping fiver potential Monmouth goals in the second period. However, Laszlo scored yet again with just eight minutes remaining on the clock. This would be the last score of the game as Monmouth played strong defense, ending Kent State’s hopes of a final minute game-tying goal, and securing Monmouth’s undefeated record.

The Flashes return to Murphy-Mellis field Sunday at noon to take on the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes are 1-1 when playing on the road this season, and 3-1 overall. The Hawkeyes have defeated the Flashes in their last four matchups.