EVANSTON, Ill. - Lafayette downed Kent State, 2-1, in a neutral site contest on Friday afternoon to kick off the 2026 campaign. The match took place at Northwestern's Lakeside Field as part of a two-game road trip series.
Neither squad found the net in the first period, despite the Leopards taking a 5-1 advantage in shots.
Lafayette continued to pelt the cage through the second quarter, finally breaking the seal using a goal by senior captain and 2026 Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Lena Thedrian at 26:03. Her penalty corner shot was assisted by
Katie Gibb and
Olivia Krey for a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Stella Malinowski followed up with a score of her own at 32:31 in period three. Kent State's goalkeeper came out to play a loose ball, which was scooped up and tossed around her by the Vancouver, B.C. native.
The Golden Flashes closed the gap to one, 2-1, with 36 seconds on the clock in the last quarter. Sophia Livingston scored the final goal of the day with a back-door shot.
The Maroon and White held the advantage in total shots (13-11) and penalty corners (6-3).
Lafayette's junior goalkeeper Addison made six saves in her first career start. Her Golden Flash counterpart, Michaela Skinner, recorded four saves while Eva Usoz added one defensive save.
The Leopards remain in Evanston, Ill. to face No. 1 Northwestern on Sunday at 12 p.m.
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