KENT, Ohio - The Cleveland State women's soccer team was dealt its first loss of the season, 1-0, at Kent State on Friday evening.

The Vikings fell to 2-1 this year, while the Golden Flashes improved to 2-1.

"You have to tip your hat to them today," head coach Derrek Falor said. "They did what they do well and took it to us. We were shown where we need to improve and now it's up to us to make the adjustments.

"We could not keep possession of the ball today and did not get into any sort of rhythm on offense. We had no combinations with our forwards and couldn't create and that's on us."

Neither team was able to score in the first half, but the Golden Flashes would tally the lone goal of the match just six minutes into the second half when Jessica Gironda scored.

Kent State goalkeeper Stephanie Senn started the goal with a long ball. Stephanie Haugh was able to control it and send a through ball to Gironda who beat CSU goalkeeper Sarah Wood from 12 yards out.

"It was a long service by their keeper out of the back that bounced in front of our center backs," Falor said. "We have to sort ourselves better and step into that ball."

Wood made five saves for the Vikings, while Senn posted two.

CSU was outshot, 21-6, including 6-2 on goal.

"We have to regroup, pick our chins up and get ready to go on Sunday," Falor said.

The Vikings travel to Western Michigan for a 1:00 p.m. match on Sunday (Sept. 1).