The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Niagara
The Akron Zips women's soccer end in a 0-0 draw on the road in 2OT
August 28 | Women's Soccer
Game Stats (PDF) | Game Stats
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NIAGARA, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team played into double-overtime and came out with a 0-0 draw Friday night in its first road game of the season against the Niagara Purple Eagles in Niagara, N.Y.
"We were up against a strong physical team and are pleased with the effort shown by the players. We couldn't have asked anymore of them," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "Defensively we were solid and we will continue to work hard to improve each week in all facets of the game. We still have plenty of work to do but it was a decent result on the road and we can take a lot of positives from tonight."
The first shot of the game came off the foot of Niagara's Eva Bachmann that was blocked by an Akron defender two and a half minutes into play. The Zips (1-0-1) registered their first shot just one minute later at the 3:24 mark but junior Karin Norman's (Stocksund, Sweden) shot was wide of the goal.
At the 20:33 minute mark, Akron had another look at the goal when freshman Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) booted a shot that ended up wide of the net.
Akron would not record another shot in the half until time was winding down at the end of the half (44:35) when senior Katie George (Middleburg Heights, Ohio) attempted a shot but a Niagara defender blocked it.
The Purple Eagles (0-1-1) outshot the Zips in the first half 5-3.
Neither team registered a shot on goal in the first 45 minutes of the match.
The Zips came out of the halftime break aggressive as sophomore Amy Dean (Liberty Township, Ohio) sent a shot that was blocked two minutes into the half (47:38).
Junior goalkeeper Annabelle Hegeman (Frostburg, Md.) recorded her first save on the night at the 56' mark on a shot sent by Niagara's Bachmann.
Freshman Kiana Zuk (Windsor, Ontario) sent the first shot of her career wide at the 80'.
At the end of regulation the score remained locked at zero. Akron had five shots from five different players in the books. Niagara sent 11 shots and three on goal.
In the first overtime period both teams recorded only one shot combined. The Purple Eagles Hayley Besaw had an open look at the net but Hegeman denied her attempt.
In the final 10 minutes of play the Zips fired off two shots. O'Brien's second shot of the night sailed wide of the goal and George's second shot of the game went high of the cross bar.
Following 110 minutes of play Akron recorded seven shots. Niagara recorded 15 shots for the night and four were on goal.
Hegeman recorded four saves all coming in the second half and first overtime period.
Junior Abby Gindlesberger (Canton, Ohio) received a yellow card in the second overtime period (109.42)
The Zips were without its leading scorer sophomore Raechel Eck (Sterling Heights, Mich.) as she tore her ACL midweek at practice. Eck will be out the remiander of the season.
Up next for the Zips, they play host to the Cleveland State Vikings on Tuesday, Sept, 1, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field in Akron, Ohio. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.
Season tickets as well as individual-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to GoZips.com/tickets, calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
