FINAL SCORE: Kent State 3, Vermont 0 | Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. - Two late first half goals helped guide Kent State to a 3-0 victory over the University of Vermont field hockey team on Friday night at Albany's Alumni Turf Field. The Golden Flashes scored their three goals over a span of 11:02 to improve to 4-3 on the year, while the Cats fall to 3-3.

"Hats off to Kent State tonight, they had two great goals off of deflections," said Vermont head coach Nicki Houghton. "Today was really the first game all year that we competed as an entire team. We attacked and defended in numbers, but unfortunately the score wasn't in our favor. We got it done between the baseline and attacking 16, but couldn't find a goal. I am proud of how we played as a team and our focus tomorrow is earning something every time we get inside the 25."

The Catamounts dominated play in the first half, but it was Kent State who took a 2-0 lead into intermission. The Golden Flashes picked up their first score when Stephanie Bernthal took a free hit 10 yards outside of the circle that Natalie Barrett deflected top shelf to make it 1-0 at the 30:37 mark. Just 3:12 later Kent State struck again when Rachel Miller scored off a corner. Vermont keeper Kristen Heavens (Harwinton, Conn.) got a piece of the ball on the play, but it ricocheted off her pads and in.

The Golden Flashes earned the final tally of the contest 6:39 into the second half when Debbie Bell redirected a ball from Allison Kittelberger that made it 3-0.

Kent State held an 11-6 edge in shots and 3-1 advantage in penalty corners, as Caroline Suitch earned the win in goal by making two stops on the night. Heavens played well, turning aside five shots for the Catamounts.

The Catamounts return to action tomorrow when they travel to face Massachusetts at 7:00pm.


NOTES: Friday was the first meeting between the two field hockey teams ... The game was also the Cats' first of two neutral site games this season ... Friday marked the first time that Vermont has not scored this year.