Rockets Hold Off Kent State in MAC Opener, 1-0

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo women's soccer team posted a clean sheet and Carys Bourbeau scored her first career goal to launch the Rockets' Mid-American Conference schedule with a 1-0 victory over Kent State at Paul Hotmer Field on Thursday.

After a defensive struggle in the first half during which the Rockets (5-2-1, 1-0 MAC) held firm against eight Kent State corner kicks, Bourbeau provided the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute. From there, the Golden Flashes (1-5-2, 0-1 MAC) pushed for an equalizer with 13 second-half shots but could not score. Bourbeau's goal was the first of her college career.

Toledo's victory was the first victory and clean sheet in a MAC opener since 2021, when the Rockets defeated Northern Illinois, 3-0. Tonight's victory snapped a 10-match winless streak against the Golden Flashes, with Toledo having previously beaten KSU in 2015. At 5-2-1, the Rockets are off to their best start through eight matches in five seasons.

Kent State controlled the shot board, 19-8, and corner kicks, 10-2, but goalkeeper Paige Dornheggen proved large with a career-high eight saves, five coming in the second half.

Quoting Head Coach Mark Batman
"Super gritty performance from the group, especially in the second half. I thought we played really well, moved the ball well, and created some chances the first 20-25 minutes of the first half. Kent started to press us and started to make things more difficult. I'm happy we didn't give up a sloppy goal, especially off a corner. Their m-o is scoring off corners and we defended those well. Complete game from us and really good in the second half. We've had some bad luck the last two years and tonight we finally got some good luck. That's the way soccer works sometimes."

Rocket Scoring Summary

Carys Bourbeau (1), unassisted - 48th minute

How it Happened

9' | Kent State got a twisting shot towards the post, but Paige Dornheggen dove to her left for a key early save.
48' | After forcing a dangerous turnover, Carys Bourbeau scored on a right-footed try from the edge of the box to put Toledo up, 1-0. The goalkeeper got a piece, but was not able to keep the ball out of the goal.
69' | Sadie Walsh took an attempt from the top of the box, but the goalkeeper's dive was good for the stop.
73' | Kent State got a deflected header off a free kick, but Dornheggen reached up to punch the ball over the crossbar.
86' | Kent State set up a chance from the top of the box, but Dornheggen was well-positioned for yet another save.

Up Next
The Rockets face their first MAC road matchup, taking on Buffalo on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 1:00 p.m. The matchup in Western New York will be streamed on YouTube. The Bulls handled Central Michigan, 1-0, in their MAC opener.

Players Mentioned

Carys Bourbeau

Paige Dornheggen

Sadie Walsh

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