EVANSTON, Ill. -- No. 14 Northwestern came back from an early deficit and then held on to defeat Kent State, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Lakeside Field.
The Wildcats (4-3) got behind early as the Golden Flashes earned a penalty corner just over three minutes into the contest and converted as Ines Delpach dribbled in from the top of the circle and scored, giving the guests a 1-0 lead.
Northwestern had trouble getting things going offensively but eventually used a pair of penalty corner opportunities of their own to their advantage. At the 21st-minute mark, Puck Pentenga's hit found the stick of Saar de Breij for a deflection that got past Kylie LeBlanc to level the score.
Just over two minutes later, it was a tip off an initial hit that provided the decisive goal. Again it was Pentenga who provided the hit that this time connected with Pascale Massey that put NU up, 2-1, at 23:23.
Northwestern finished the opening half with a 9-3 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in corners.
Neither team was able to get much of an offensive attack going in the second half as the defenses dominated. In fact, the Wildcats held the Golden Flashes without a single shot until 34 minutes had passed the period when Annie Kalfas was able to make a relatively easy save on a shot by Alison Harmatz.
Kalfas finished with two saves to earn the victory in goal. NU finished the match with advantages of 13-4 in shots and 6-1 in corners.
Northwestern returns to action at 3:15 p.m. Friday when it opens up Big Ten play at Lakeside Field against Ohio State.
The Wildcats (4-3) got behind early as the Golden Flashes earned a penalty corner just over three minutes into the contest and converted as Ines Delpach dribbled in from the top of the circle and scored, giving the guests a 1-0 lead.
Northwestern had trouble getting things going offensively but eventually used a pair of penalty corner opportunities of their own to their advantage. At the 21st-minute mark, Puck Pentenga's hit found the stick of Saar de Breij for a deflection that got past Kylie LeBlanc to level the score.
Just over two minutes later, it was a tip off an initial hit that provided the decisive goal. Again it was Pentenga who provided the hit that this time connected with Pascale Massey that put NU up, 2-1, at 23:23.
Northwestern finished the opening half with a 9-3 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in corners.
Neither team was able to get much of an offensive attack going in the second half as the defenses dominated. In fact, the Wildcats held the Golden Flashes without a single shot until 34 minutes had passed the period when Annie Kalfas was able to make a relatively easy save on a shot by Alison Harmatz.
Kalfas finished with two saves to earn the victory in goal. NU finished the match with advantages of 13-4 in shots and 6-1 in corners.
Northwestern returns to action at 3:15 p.m. Friday when it opens up Big Ten play at Lakeside Field against Ohio State.