TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo women's soccer team fell to Kent State 1-0 in the Mid-American Conference opener after the Golden Flashes scored in the 78th minute at Paul Hotmer Field on Thursday night.
 
The Rockets (3-4-1, 0-1-0) used a strong defense and a stellar goalkeeping effort from Agnes Stenlund to keep within striking distance, but the Golden Flashes' (4-2-1, 1-0-0) second-half tally proved to be the difference.
 
Stenlund made a season-high six saves on an .857 save percentage. Toledo's offense included a shot each from six different players, including a shot on goal by Grace Turski.
 
"It's a bit frustrating to not at least tie that game," said Head Coach Mark Batman. "I felt we were the better group for most of the second half. There weren't a lot of shots in that half, but our defense's ability to pin them in and defend in their own end was fantastic. We just have to get better in front of goal and maybe when we give up one, we've already scored a couple. There's lots of soccer left and the girls are excited to quickly reset and get to BG."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• 3' | A would-be goal by Olivia Dault was called back due to an offsides call.
• 39' | Kent State had an opportunity in close, but the shot was cleared off the goal line by Toledo's defense to keep the game scoreless.
• 78' | Off of a corner kick, a free ball in the box was won by Kent State's Alanna Raimondo and tapped over to Siena Stambolich for the goal and the 1-0 lead.
• 88' | A tying attempt from Morgan Spitler went high from inside the box.

STATS AND NOTES

• Kent State held an 18-6 shots advantage, but Toledo held the edge in corners, 5-4.
• Thursday marked the first starts of the season for senior Miranda Sullivan and junior Brooklyn Whitehead.
• Toledo has allowed just three goals in its last five games, and Stenlund has held a .863 save percentage in that span.
• Thursday marked the seventh time in eight games this season in which the Rockets have played a game decided by a goal or that ended in a tie.

UP NEXT
 
The Rockets will continue Mid-American Conference play on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Bowling Green. Kickoff in the Battle of I-75 is set for 1:00 p.m. and will air on BCSN and ESPN+.