After two road losses in California, the Kent State women’s soccer team hopes being back in the Midwest will bring greater fortune.

The Flashes suffered back-to-back 1-0 losses at UC-Davis and the Pacific, and are hoping their luck will turn today when they return home, a place where they lost only two games last season.

“No one wants to lose on their home field,” senior midfielder/forward Lisa Kurz said. “We always want to win, but especially at home.”

Kent State goalkeeper Kris Nelson hopes her good play continues as she saved 12 shots and only allowed two goals over the weekend.

“Lead by example,” Nelson said. “Get here on time, show a positive attitude, bust your butt every time. You don’t give 50 percent, you give everything you’ve got.”

Senior leadership will play a key role for the Flashes this season, and the slow start is surely the first test. A handful of upperclassmen, including six seniors, aim to lead the team back in a positive direction.

“Everyone is practicing hard,” Kurz explained. “We’re working on our formations and everyone is getting fit to make sure we are in shape.”

A shortened preseason may be the reason for the Flashes slow start. With only two preseason matches, the Flashes are still finding themselves on the field.

“We were trying to come together as a unit right before the season because it was a little shorter of a preseason than we normally have,” Nelson said.

“We have a lot of depth this year so everyone’s fighting for playing time,” Kurz said. “We have great team unity, everyone is pushing each other, so I think we’re going to do real well.”

The Flashes will get their chance to do just that, as they will face a Wright State team who is currently 2-1, coming off a 3-0 loss to Ohio State. The Raiders, picked to finish third in the Horizon League, are looking to build upon a 12-3-4 campaign in 2006.

Game time is set for 4 p.m. today at the Kent State Soccer Field located behind Dix Stadium.

Contact soccer reporter Chris Gates at [email protected].