KENT, Ohio — Tianna Harris scored in the 49th minute, lifting Kent State to a 1-0 win over the Bowling Green State University women’s soccer team Thursday.
In a Mid-American Conference match at Dix Stadium, Harris, in the middle of the box, headed home a Siena Stambolich corner kick to give the Golden Flashes (4-6-4, 4-1-2 MAC) the lead with just over three minutes gone in the second half.
It was Kent State’s first shot on goal the entire game.
The Falcons (5-5-3, 3-2-2 MAC) had a 9-4 advantage in total shot attempts on the night, but could not find the equalizer.
Sarah Melen made five saves for the Flashes, who snapped a seven-match losing streak against the Falcons.
BGSU had a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal, but Kent State did have a 6-0 lead in corner kicks. BGSU senior goalkeeper Lili Berg made one save.
The teams combined for only three shot attempts – all by the Falcons – in the opening 45 minutes.
After a KSU foul, BGSU seniori midfielder Makenzie Ortman put a hard free kick on frame with just over 18 minutes gone, but Melen was able to make the save, grabbing the ball on the short hop.
Two minutes later, BGSU senior forward Kennedy White fired a hard shot from distance, but that effort was hit directly at Melen.
BGSU had several chances over the remaining time. In the 64th minute, a quick turnaround shot by White appeared to have Melen beat, but the ball rolled just wide of the right post.
BGSU junior midfielder Maya Dean, who led all players with four shots on the night, fired three of those shots in a 63-second span midway through the half.
But, her first effort was blocked, a follow-up try was saved, and after BGSU won the ball back, another shot went wide of the target.
Dean put another shot on frame in the 82nd minute, and junior forward Lacee Bethea saw a shot go outside the right post two minutes later. That Bethea try was the final shot attempt for either team on the night.
The Falcons welcome league-leading Buffalo to Cochrane Stadium on Sunday, with that contest set for a 1 p.m. start. Admission is free.
