Aug. 19, 2011
Contact: Greg Murphy
KENT, Ohio - Kent State used a pair of penalty kicks, including the game-winner with just seven minutes left, to claim a 3-2 victory over Cleveland State in the 2011 season opener for both teams on Friday afternoon at Kent State Soccer Field.
The loss drops the Vikings to 0-1 this season, while Kent State moves to 1-0.
The Vikings jumped on the board first at the 12:07 mark when Jaime Avona tallied the first goal of the 2011 season, her second career goal. It would be the first of four second half goals that the teams totaled.
Kent State tied the match at 1-1 at the 27:18 mark on a penalty kick from Jessacca Gironda.
The Vikings took little time to respond, using a goal from freshman Lynsay Strahorn at the 34:34 mark to regain a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Frederike Dubeau notched the assist, the first of her career.
However, the Golden Flashes came right back less than three minutes later as Jaclyn Dutton scored off an assist from Gironda to knot the match at 2-2.
The teams entered the locker room deadlocked at 2-2.
It stayed that way until seven minutes remained in the match when Gironda notched her second goal of the game and the Golden Flashes second goal via a penalty kick.
Freshman Sarah Wood made three saves in her first career collegiate match. The Vikings outshot Kent State, 16-14, while also holding a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.
The Vikings are back in action on Sunday (Aug. 21) when CSU hosts Duquesne at 1:00 p.m. at Krenzler Field in the 2011 home opener.
