After lightning prevented the Kent State soccer team from playing Sept. 7, the team will compete in front of the home crowd for the first time in nearly a month Friday.

The Flashes face the Marshall University Thundering Herd at 4 p.m. Friday and the Duquesne University Dukes at 1 p.m. Sunday at Zoeller Field.

Head coach Rob Marinaro said at a recent practice the team is back to business as usual after last week’s cancelled game.

“We’ve been preparing how we always do,” Marinaro said. “I think we’re just working on our own intensity level making sure that we come out and get a good solid 90 minutes in but elevate our game every single time we go out there.”

Marshall enters Friday’s matchup with some momentum after defeating Morehead State 2-0 on Sept. 7, while Duquesne is set to face Canisius College before playing the Flashes.

The women’s soccer team will be hosting its first annual “KICK CF” Sunday against Duquesne. The event is being held to raise donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to help raise awareness about cystic fibrosis but also to help the family of Blake Smith, the nephew of former Kent soccer player Jenni Stapleton.

Smith, who was diagnosed at the age of 6, will be an honorary captain/coach for the game.

“At the game we’re going to ask for donations. Normally, you don’t pay to get into our games but we’re just going to ask people who show up to do donations. We’re also asking people who aren’t able to make the games to go to the website to make donations,” said Megan Repas, senior forward.

The Flashes hope to raise $500 by the end of the game against the Dukes.

Sunday is also a special day for the seniors, who will be recognized for their careers with the Flashes before kickoff.

“It’s a pretty emotional … it’s kind of recognizing four wonderful young ladies that gave so much to your program for four years,” Marinaro said. “It’s just a nice event to recognize them as a part of the season and the team gets to celebrate their great careers.”

Senior midfielder Hannah Newhouse said the combination of meaningful events Sunday has given the team extra motivation.

“We’re hoping to get really a ton of people between the fundraisers and senior day,” Newhouse said. “So, we definitely want to come out with a win on Sunday with a lot of people there.”

To donate online visit the team’s fundraising website: http://www.cff.org/great_strides/dsp_donationPage.cfm?registeringwalkid=7801&idUser=457190

Contact Erika Brun at [email protected].