The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Soccer Drops Rival Kent State In Overtime
October 23 | Women's Soccer
For the third straight match, the University of Akron women's soccer team needed extra time to find a winner Friday night, and for the second game in a row, the Zips found an overtime score, downing archrival Kent State 2-1 at Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field.
Jordan Baranowski sent the Zips to victory just over a minute into the second overtime, as she took advantage of a miscue on the Kent State backline and found herself one on one with Kent State goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood. The senior striker sent the crowd of 740 into a frenzy, as she eluded the charging KSU keeper and sent the ball into the open goal.
The win moves the Zips to 5-10-1 and 3-5-1 in the MidAmerican Conference play, and keeps the UA playoff hopes alive. With two games remaining, the Zips control their own destiny, as they look to qualify for the MAC Tournament for the second straight year.
Jordan Clark put the Zips in front in the 17th minute with her first goal of the season. Rachel Phillip played in a corner from the right side, and Clark pounced on the ball as it bounced inside the six-yard box, burying into the back of the net.
KSU leveled the match in the 50th minute, when Jessica Gironda slipped behind the Akron defense and beat UA goalkeeper Michelle Smith one on one.
Neither side could convert on quality chances the rest of regulation. Ashley Hughes was denied on the edge of the penalty area by a charging Sherwood in the 84th minute after Smith had made an equally important save of her own just a under a minute earlier as she charged out to block the shot of Kelly Heaton. Smith totaled five saves in the match.
UA outshot the Flashes 14-11 in the match, with Baranowski leading all players with four shots - three of which were on target.
The Zips will host Buffalo on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in their regular season home finale at Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field, with the season finale at Ohio on Thursday.
Zips Notebook: UA is now 2-1-1 in overtime games this season, and 3-2-5 under coach Chris Pfau. The overtime score was the seventh goal of Jordan Baranowski's career and her sixth career game winner, tying the UA career record for game winners. Jeannie Stuckey scored six game winners from 2001-03.
