The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ball State
Women's Soccer falls to Ball State in final home game, 4-2
October 26 | Women's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio -- The University of Akron women's soccer team dropped a hard-fought, high-scoring battle to visiting Ball State, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
The result moves UA to 6-11-1 overall and 2-8-0 in the Mid-American Conference, while MAC West leader Ball State improves to 10-5-2 and 6-4-0 in league play.
As a team, Akron was aggressive on the attack, posting 15 shots and five shots on goal. Senior Lani Smith provided both goals for UA on the day, tying the match at one and again at two early in the second half. Smith now leads the team with five goals this season.
Klaire Adee spent 79:26 in goal for Akron, notching three saves. Alex Luevano-Harden relieved Adee with just over 10 minutes to play, and came up with two saves of her own.
The Zips put pressure on the Cardinals from the opening whistle, but were unable to come up with clear scoring opportunities in the early going. Ball State picked up three quick shots before Akron was whistled for a foul in the box in the eighth minute.
BSU was awarded a penalty kick, and sophomore Leah Mattingly put it past Adee for the first goal of the match, giving the Cardinals the early 1-0 advantage.
Sarah Sivic connected on Akron's first shot of the day just a minute later, coming up with a good look at the top of the box that was saved by Ball State goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel.
Smith would be the Zip to find the equalizer in the 23rd minute after a Ball State defender took too much time with the ball in the box and had it taken away by Karina Atkinson. Atkinson tapped it to Smith who found the back of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
The Cardinals fought back in the 36th minute when Mattingly took the first corner kick of the match for either team. BSU's Victoria Jacobs put a head on the ball and Cailey Starck followed with a bicycle kick to knock it in. The score put Ball State on top 2-1 at intermission.
Atkinson started the second half with an open shot in the 48th minute, a strong effort from the right wing that sailed high over the crossbar. The senior put a foot on Akron's first corner kick of the day in the 52nd minute, but it was cleared by the Ball State defense.
The Zips knotted the score at 2-all in the 59th minute on a smooth sequence from Sivic to Blomquist to Smith. Sivic set up a cross for Blomquist who threaded it through to Smith, giving her a one-on-one look with Heintschel. Smith tapped it past the keeper for her second goal of the day.
Ball State answered again in the 68th minute, scoring off another corner kick from Mattingly. Jacobs put the ball in with a header to give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead.
Smith split a pair of defenders in the 77th minute with a shot on goal looking to tie the score once again, but Heintschel came up with the save.
The Cardinals tacked on an insurance goal in the 80th minute on a long strike from the left wing off the foot of Gabby Veldman.
The Zips return to the field for their final match of the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 30, when they travel to Buffalo for a 3 p.m. contest.
