The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Eastern Michigan
Women's Soccer Falls Just Short to EMU, 3-2
October 04 | Women's Soccer
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YPSILANTI, Michigan – The Akron women's soccer team scores twice but can not come back from an early deficit in a 3-2 loss to Eastern Michigan on Sunday afternoon in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Akron (4-7-1, 1-3 MAC) controlled possession for most of the game and had an offensive advantage in shots with 18 compared to the Eagles 11. However EMU (4-7-1, 1-3 MAC) had two more shots on goal than Akron, 8-to-6.
Junior Sarah Sivic (Broadview Heights, Ohio) scored twice on four shots for the Zips. Three other players senior Katie George (Middleburgh Heights, Ohio), junior Abby Gindlesberger (Jackson, Ohio) and freshman Shea O'Brien each (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) had two shots during the contest. Junior goalie Annabelle Hegeman (Frostburg, Md.) made four saves
In the first minute the match, Akron was called for a foul. EMU set up for a free kick on the near sideline. The Eagle's Rachel Washburn sent the ball into the box and Gabriella Mancini sent a shot on goal that found the back of the net to take an early lead, 1-0.
EMU took a 2-0 advantage when the Eagle's Michelle Rollins collected the ball off a cross, turned and sent a shot past Hegeman in the 22'.
Akron cut the EMU lead by one, 2-1, in the 27' minute of the contest. The Eagles were called for a foul inside the box. Sivic lined up for her second penalty shot of the year and beat the goalie connecting on her fifth goal of the year.
In the final minutes of the half, the Zips had three good opportunities to tie up the game. Sivic had a shot that was blocked by an EMU defender, freshman Sydney Sleek (Wooster, Ohio) sailed a shot high and Gindlesberger put a shot on goal that was turned away by the Eagles keeper.
Eastern Michigan increased its lead to 3-1 over Akron at the 60:43 mark of the second half. Ellie Tillar headed the ball into the net off a corner kick from Madison Hirsch.
Akron applied pressure and spent a lot of time in their offensive third attempting five shots in a nine-minute span. The Zips had two great chances to cut the EMU lead, O'Brien sent shot on goal in the 76' minute was saved by the keeper and in the 77' Gindlesberger shot also could not get past the goalie.
In the 81' the Zips began their comeback attempt when Sivic scored her second goal of the contest off an assist from senior Hannah Werth (Bloomington, Minn.). Werth sent a free kick from the midfield into the box. The Eagles keeper attempted to make a play on the ball and Sivic headed the ball out of the goalies hands and in for the score.
Akron was only able to get one more shot off in the last nine minutes of the contest. With 44 seconds remaining, George sent the final shot of the game wide of net.
The Zips continue MAC play on the road next weekend for two games against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan. Akron will travel to DeKalb, Ill. on Friday, Oct. 9, to face the Huskies at 8 p.m. ET. The team will then travel to Kalamazoo, Mich. to go up against the Broncos, first kick is at 1 p.m. ET.
