KENT, Ohio – The Western Michigan women's soccer team fell at Kent State, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon.

The pivotal moment came early in the game as starting WMU goalkeeper Stephanie Heber was issued a red card for a challenge in the 15th minute. KSU's Abbie Lawson converted the penalty to give the Golden Flashes a 1-0 lead. Down to 10 players for the rest of the game the Broncos battled but Kent State was able to take advantage and add four more goals.

"I am very proud of how the team battled through an adverse situation," said head coach Lauren Sinacola. "Through the final result does not show it, we played a good game of soccer and outshot a very talented team while down a player for the majority of the game. We can take a lot of positive things from this outing and move forward ready to take on our next challenge."

WMU successfully kept the Golden Flashes off the board for the rest of the first half but Kristen Brots pushed the lead to 2-0 with a goal in the 50th minute. The Broncos cut the lead back to one after Liz Abro converted a penalty kick of her own in the 65th minute.

Three different KSU players went on to score in the 72nd, 79th, and 80th minutes to put the game out of reach.

Western Michigan is back on the road in Mid-American Conference play on Thursday at defending MAC Regular Season Champions Ball State at 5 p.m.