KENT, Ohio – A goal on either side of halftime led Kent State to a 2-0 victory over the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team on Thursday night (Oct. 7) at Dix Stadium. Tianna Harris scored in the first half and Cameron Shedenhelm added a second half goal to give the Golden Flashes the victory. 

With the win, Kent State improved to 7-4-1 overall, 3-1-1 in the Mid-American Conference. NIU falls to 4-9 overall, 1-4 in league play. 

The first shot on target fell to NIU in the fifth minute as the Huskies created a turnover and Kierah Meier (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) had a look at goal from inside the box, but Sarah Melen was able to make the save for the Golden Flashes. 

Kent State took the lead in the 15th minute on a goal by Harris. The Golden Flashes earned a corner and Karly Hellstrom delivered a good ball inside the six-yard box where Harris was able to find some space and finish from close range to give Kent State the early advantage. 

In the 24th minute, the Golden Flashes had another chance as a ball was whipped into the NIU box from wide on the left and Shedenhelm got a head on it, flicking the ball off the crossbar before it bounced out of play. 

Just two minutes later, NIU earned a free kick from about five yards outside the Kent State box. Kali Stock (Cincinnati, Ohio/Ursuline Academy) took the free kick and whistled a shot just wide of the post. Kent State took the 1-0 lead into halftime. 

The Golden Flashes doubled their advantage seven minutes into the second half. Keyosha Donkor sent in a cross from the right wing that found Shedenhelm all alone inside the six-yard box. Shedenhelm headed the ball down as past NIU goalkeeper Julia Lentz (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook), to put Kent State in front by a pair in the 52nd minute.

Five minutes later, Lentz came up with a good save on a chance by Siena Stambolich as Stambolich turned near the top of the 18 and fired a shot that was palmed away by the NIU goalkeeper. 

In the 66th minute, Haley Hoppe (Austin, Texas/Rouse) fired a shot from distance that Melen diving to her right, but Hoppe's effort tailed just off-target. 

With less than two minutes remaining, Lentz made a very good save at full stretch on a shot from Hellstrom. 

Lentz finished the contest with four saves for the Huskies, Melen was credited with one stop for the Golden Flashes. 

NIU will return home on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 10, when the Huskies host Ohio. Kickoff against the Bobcats is scheduled for 2 p.m.