Field hockey drops NCAA Play-In game to UMass

Senior midfielder, Jessica Nesbitt, chases down the ball against Ohio University Friday, Oct. 23, 2015. The Flashes won 2-1.

 After defeating Miami University in double overtime to claim the MAC championship, the Kent State field hockey team ended their season with a 1-0 loss to the University of Massachusetts on Wednesday.

 “I’m really proud of this team and all we’ve accomplished this season,” coach Kathleen Wiler said during a press conference.  “We had a lot of opportunities in the second half and just came up short.”

 A UMass goal at 23:35 mark in the first half would prove to be the winner as the Minutewomen held the Flashes scoreless in the NCAA playoff game.

 After being out shot 8-0 in the first half, the Flashes turned it around in the second, outshooting UMass 8-6.

 Junior goalkeeper Andrea Rinehart faced nine shots over the duration of the game, making eight saves.

 This loss concludes the 2015 season for the Kent State field hockey team as they earned their second consecutive MAC title and made a second straight NCAA post-season appearance.

Zac Sommer is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected]