Field hockey outscores opponents 17-1 in two weekend victories

The Kent State field hockey team’s home schedule got off to a fast start with one of the highest-scoring weekends in the program’s history.

The Flashes’ offense dominated the Saint Louis Billikens 13-0 in Friday’s home opener before defeating the Villanova Wildcats 4-1 Sunday afternoon at Murphy-Mellis Field.

The 13 goals the Flashes (4-2) posted was their second-highest point total in a single game and their highest since 1980, when the Flashes defeated Marietta 15-0. Four Kent State players scored two goals each, including senior Rebecca Lee and junior Missy Ramsey.

Four other players contributed to the win, scoring one goal apiece.

“This team just has so many people contributing,” head coach Kathleen Wiler said after the game on Friday. “That’s why they’re fun to work with.”

The Flashes put up the highest single-game point total among all NCAA Division I teams so far this season. Junior goaltender Jahna Jordan played the entire game and recorded her first shutout of the season with four saves.

Kent State did an excellent job of displaying teamwork and passing skills, as 10 of the 13 goals were scored on assists. Junior Julia Hofmann led the team with four assists.

Eight of the Flashes’ 13 goals were scored in the second half alone.

The team returned to the field after a day off and jumped ahead to the 3-0 first-half lead against the Wildcats Sunday. Sophomore Karleigh Carlin scored first for the Flashes with a goal nine minutes into the contest, followed by Ramsey’s third goal of the weekend three minutes later.

Junior Hannah Falukner extended the Flashes’ lead with a goal from the right side two minutes before halftime. Hofmann capped off the victory with a goal off a corner at the 61st minute of the game, her second goal of the weekend.

Seven different players registered points for the Flashes against Villanova, highlighted by senior Alyssa McFerren’s two assists. The Flashes totaled 46 shots-on-goal in both games combined while limiting the Billikens and the Wildcats to a combined nine shots-on-goal.

The Flashes will remain at home when they take on the Drexel Dragons beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday at Murphy-Mellis Field.

Contact Chris Ginley at [email protected].