DEKALB – The NIU women's soccer team (7-6-1, 4-3 MAC) dropped their third Mid-American Conference match of the season to Kent State (10-4-1, 6-1 MAC) by a score of 1-0 Friday night. The Golden Flashes goal came in the 26^th minute as Donavan Capehart scored on a header.
 
"They're a first place team and we definitely challenged them," Head Coach John Ross said. "We definitely weren't firing on all cylinders; we were just a step off tonight."
 
 The Huskies won the numbers battles as they outshot Kent State 12-8, took more corner kicks 5-4 and freshman goalkeeper Megan Donnally (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North) made four saves where Kent State was only forced to make two saves. Donnally made her first collegiate start on Friday after playing in her first game on Sunday at Ball State.
 
NIU had an opportunity to tie the game in first half when they were awarded their only corner kick of the match and it looked as though Taylor Sarver (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) had scored but the play was waved off due to an NIU handball.
 
The Huskies were the more physical of the two teams as they committed 12 fouls to Kent State's eight. Sarver was booked with a yellow card last in the match fighting for a ball in the air and freshman Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse) made her presence felt on NIU's back line for most of the night.
 
NIU women's soccer will play against at home for their next match as they will welcome the Ohio Bobcats to DeKalb for Senior Day. Seven Huskie players will be honored prior to the game's 2:00 p.m. scheduled start time.