The Kent State hockey team split its weekend contests, losing Friday night to Adrian College, 4-0, and defeating Duquesne, 8-3, Saturday afternoon.

Adrian College earned its second win over the Flashes this year and pushed their record to 10-3 on the season.

“That kind of put a blemish on our record.” senior defenseman Kye Budziszewski said. “Adrian is a solid team.”

Adrian College’s Jared Semple and Spencer Bonomo combined for two goals and an assist for the Bulldogs. In nine games, both have tallied 35 points – second and third respectively on the team.

Budziszewski said Adrian College is a big team that tries to throw other squads off its game.

“It was a pretty chippy game overall,” Budziszewski said. “That’s Adrian’s style. We fell right into their hands.”

The Flashes managed only 19 shots on goal in the shutout loss, while the Bulldogs peppered 39 between Gregory and sophomore goalie Anthony Natoli.

Kent State had mental lapses, Budziszewski said, which Adrian took full advantage of. More specifically, Adrian capitalized off Kent State giveaways.

Kent State refocused the next day against Duquesne.

In the rebound win over the Dukes, Natoli got the nod in net.

“He came to play,” Budziszewski said of his goalie. “He made the saves that counted when we were in need of a stop.”

The Flashes never trailed and were firmly in control throughout the game against Duquesne.

Sophomore forward Justin Phenney scored five times, while junior forward Mike LePre and senior forward Dave Bruder each lit the lamp. Phenney leads the Flashes in goals with 16 through 13 games.

“(We) cycled in the offensive zone really, really well,” Budziszewski said. “Every guy was doing his job.”

The Flashes are 3-1 since the last ACHA ranking and slotted 19th. Taking care of Duquesne and two solid wins over a high-ranked Iowa State team last weekend should lift the Flashes back up in the standings.

The team will face Michigan-Dearborn this weekend at home.

Contact sports correspondent Jeremy Juhasz at [email protected].