The University of Akron Athletics
Women?s Soccer Resumes Play Versus Eastern Kentucky
September 11 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – Off to a 3-0-0 start but
having been idle for nine days, the University of Akron women's
soccer team will play host to its only home match this month on
Friday when Eastern Kentucky visits Lee Jackson Field at 7:30 p.m.
EDT. The Zips last competed on Sept. 3 at Cleveland State, knocking
off the Vikings 2-1.
"Having nine days off could pose some problems," Akron first-year
head coach Chris Pfau said. "This will be the longest break
without a game that we have had, even longer than during our
preseason schedule. You can lose focus, game fitness and intensity.
With very few games at home (only seven this season) it is
important we defend our home field. The good thing is we are
excited to get going again and look forward to getting in front of
our fans again."
Two of Akron's three wins this season came on its home field, where
the team has outscored the opposition 8-2 and recorded one shutout.
The Zips opened the season at home with a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh
on Aug. 22 and then secured a 2-0 win over SIU-Edwardsville on Aug.
29.
The team's up tempo style of play has it listed 16th nationally in
scoring offense (3.33 goals per game), and the program is ranked
first in the Mid-American Conference in that category as well as in
goals (10), assists (8), points (28) and assists per game
(2.6).
Junior Britni Back leads the team with seven points (two
goals and three assists) and ranks first in the MAC and seventh
nationally in assists per game (1.0). Two other players have also
tallied a pair of goals each, with sophomore Katelyn
Hausfeld and freshman Rachel
Phillip doing so. Phillip has scored in the last two games and
was responsible for the game-winning goal versus
SIU-Edwardsville.
"We are excited to play this weekend, especially after being off
for nine days," Back said. "We have been trying to keep our mental
focus and not become too relaxed. The coaches have been tough on us
at practice this week, to make sure we stay motivated."
UA's backline has also been aggressive thus far this season,
limiting opponents to 20 shots and eight shots on goal. Freshman
goalkeeper Jenn Wolbert has defended the net in all three
matches (270 minutes) and has five saves and a 1.00 goals-against
average to her credit.
Eastern Kentucky enters the weekend with a 2-1-1 record, coming off
a 1-0 win at San Francisco on Sept. 7. Following Friday's contest
with the Colonels, the Zips travel to Youngstown State (0-4-0) for
a Sunday matchup at 1 p.m. The Penguins play at Duquesne today.
"This will be the first time this season we will play on Friday
night and then again on Sunday," Pfau said. "It will be an
interesting test to see where we are mentally as a team. We have
talked about having no excuses and being ready to play no matter
what the circumstance."
Akron travels to the state of Virginia next weekend, playing at Old
Dominion in Norfolk on Sept. 19 and William & Mary in
Williamsburg on Sept. 21. ODU is off to a 5-0-0 start this season
and William & Mary is 2-2-1. W&M earned an at-large bid
into the NCAA Tournament last season where it defeated Georgetown
2-1 in the opening round and finished the season 15-5-1.
