The Kent State women’s soccer team split its two-game series this weekend, going 1-1 in the College of Charleston Cup at Patriots Point in Charleston, S.C.

The Flashes (4-2-0) fell to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (3-2-1) 1-0 in the first game Friday but came away with a 1-0 win Sunday against the College of Charleston Cougars.

Coastal Carolina outplayed Kent State in the first half of play, but the Flashes’ defense kept the ball out of the net in the first 45 minutes of regulation.

Sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Senn kept Coastal Carolina at bay for the majority of the game. Marinaro said Senn and the team worked well together defensively to thwart any possible Coastal Carolina scoring opportunities.

“Steph played extremely well this weekend, she came up with some big saves, but I think you have to give credit to the entire defense, not just the back four, but the entire team defense,” Kent State’s head coach Rob Marinaro said.

Despite the team defensive resilience, the Chanticleers were able to score the game-winning goal just before the 60th minute of regulation.

“Friday we came out and didn’t play the style of game we wanted to play,” Marinaro said. “We weren’t strong enough and our defense gave them way too much space and time, and once you do that, teams will make it a really long day for you.”

The Flashes bounced back Sunday and capitalized early in the second game, scoring the first and only goal of the game 20 minutes into the first half.

“I thought we did well and worked really hard,” Marinaro said. “Our team effort was excellent today, and we played efficient, effective soccer and came out with a great result.”

Junior forward Stephanie Haugh scored her first goal of the season off an assist from senior forward Jaclyn Dutton. Haugh said her goal gave her team momentum and the boost it needed to take the Cougars out of the game.

“It was definitely a team effort,” Haugh said of her goal. “(My teammates) set me up perfectly to kick it in and past the net.”

The Flashes’ defense gave up 11 shots and eight shots on goal, but they did not allow the Cougars to tie the game up.

“Today one (of the goals) was early, and I thought that we did an excellent job managing the game after that,” Marinaro said.

The Flashes will be back on the road Sept. 15 to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats at Gettler Stadium. The game will begin at 1 p.m.

Contact Richie Mulhall at [email protected].