The Kent State field hockey team is gearing up for an exciting start to the 2024 regular season with two matchups scheduled at Murphy-Mellis Field this weekend. The Golden Flashes will kick off their season against the Indiana Hoosiers on Friday at 11:00 a.m. followed by a game against the Liberty Lady Flames on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
Heading into the season opener, the Golden Flashes are under the leadership of new head coach Heather Hefner. Hefner brings a wealth of experience from her time as an assistant coach at Liberty, where she played a pivotal role in the team’s success, including an NCAA title game appearance and multiple conference championships. Kent State finished the 2023 season with an 8-11 overall record and a 5-2 record in MAC play, reaching the championship match of the MAC Tournament. The team has been selected fourth in the MAC preseason coaches‘ poll, with high expectations for the upcoming season.
One of the key players to watch for the Golden Flashes is midfielder Eva Usoz, who had an impressive freshman year in 2023, earning MAC freshman of the year honors and a first-team All-MAC selection. With Usoz returning for her sophomore season, along with a roster of talented freshmen looking to make their mark, Kent State is poised for a competitive season ahead.
In their first matchup of the weekend, the Golden Flashes will face the Indiana Hoosiers, who are coming off a 6-13 season in 2023. Indiana’s Sydney Keld and Inés Garcia Prado, both All-Big Ten second team selections last season, will be players to watch in the upcoming game.
The weekend will conclude with a showdown against the #11 ranked Liberty Lady Flames, coached by Heather Hefner’s former team. Liberty enters the season as the favorites in the Big East conference, following a successful 2023 campaign that included a third consecutive Big East regular season title. The Lady Flames will be a tough test for the Golden Flashes, as they aim to continue their dominance in the series.
In terms of head-to-head matchups, Indiana holds a slight edge over Kent State with a 5-4 lead in the all-time series. However, the Golden Flashes will be looking to even the score after falling to the Hoosiers in their last meeting. On the other hand, Liberty has had the upper hand against Kent State, boasting a 5-0 record in the series.
Fans can stay updated on all the action by following Kent State Field Hockey on X and Instagram throughout the 2024 season. With a new coach at the helm and a talented roster ready to compete, the Golden Flashes are poised for an exciting and competitive season ahead.