Senior Jen Frey runs the ball to her teammate during a home game Sept. 25 against Miami of Ohio. Kent State won the game 4-1, which is the first MAC win. Kent will play at 4 p.m. today against Northern Illinois.

Credit: Jason Hall

Mid-American Conference play intensifies for the Kent State soccer team with a matchup against MAC leader, Western Michigan, this weekend.

But before the much-anticipated contest against the Broncos, the Flashes play Northern Illinois ( 4-5-2, 2-2-0 MAC) at 4 p.m. today.

Last season, the Flashes tied Northern Illinois 2-2. The final score was not the only tie of the game. Sophomore Kimberly Dimitroff scored her 10th goal of the season, which tied Kent State’s record for single season goals. Dimitroff ended the season with 16 goals, solidifying her as the top choice for MAC Freshman of the Year honors.

The Flashes (4-6-2, 1-2-1 MAC) look to be the first MAC team to defeat Western Michigan (6-4-1, 4-0-0 MAC) at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

In last season’s effort, the Flashes came up with a 3-2-overtime victory at Western Michigan. It was the second straight 3-2 overtime win for the Flashes against the Broncos. During that game, sophomore Amy Kessler was the hero scoring the winning goal one minute into the second overtime.

Kent State returns after spending its first winless weekend on the road against Central and Eastern Michigan.

The highly anticipated Central Michigan (3-5-2, 2-0-1 MAC) game was a double overtime match which the ended with a final score of 1-1.

The Flashes ended the road trip with a 2-1 loss at Eastern Michigan (5-6-1, 3-1 MAC). The win gave the Eagles sole possession of second place in the standings.

So far, the Flashes have only been able to string two consecutive wins together. That streak happened earlier this season versus Cleveland State and Stetson.

Contact soccer reporter Deanna Stevens at [email protected].