The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Bowling Green
Zips Soccer Never Backed Down in 2-1 Loss to Bowling Green
October 02 | Women's Soccer
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Box Score | Video Highlights
AKRON, Ohio – Akron women's soccer scored a goal in the 83' while trailing by two, but despite never backing down, the Zips ultimately could not complete the come-back-effort and fall 2-1 to Bowling Green on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
On the afternoon, Akron (3-7-2, 0-2-2 MAC) garnered eight shots in the contest with half of those (4) coming on frame, while Bowling Green (7-5-0, 2-2-0 MAC) registered 14. Sophomore Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) paced the offense with four shots and three on goal. Freshman Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.) followed with a pair of shots, while senior Madison Kaser (Silver Lake, Ohio) and freshman Chloe Allen (Novi, Mich.) each tallied a shot.
Down 2-0 with eight minutes to play, Amato cut the Falcons lead to one, 2-1, with her third goal of the year and second of the weekend. Freshman Catie Corrigan (Avon Lake, Ohio) had a lot of room to work with in the midfield. The forward pushed the ball up field and sent a through pass up to Amato splitting two defenders. On a breakaway, the freshman defender beat the keeper to her left.
The match was a tale of two halves with Bowling Green owning the first period, while the Zips took over in the second half.
Bowling Green took an early advantage in the game in the 4'. Off a corner kick, Skylar Fleak found herself in the proper position with the ball bouncing to her feet as she found the back of the net.
Akron possessed the ball well inside the midfield throughout the first half, making crisp clean passes. As the Zips attempted to move the ball into the offensive third, Akron found it difficult to get an open look at the net.
Amato nearly knotted up the game at one at the 13:05 mark. Sophomore midfielder Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio) sent in a corner kick from the far side of the field. Amato came up from the backline and put a head on the ball but it sailed high of the post.
Following the first 45 minutes of play, the Zips came out looking to push the ball into the offensive third and be aggressive in the box. Akron tallied five shots in the first five minutes of the second stanza.
Bowling Green increased its advantage to 2-0 at the 51:12 mark of the second half. Maureen Kennedy sent a free kick into the box that found the head of Sam Howshar for the score.
Akron had a pair of opportunities turned away by the Falcons keeper in the 54' when O'Brien contested BGSU twice in a matter of seconds. Senior Sarah Sivic (Broadview Heights, Ohio) took the ball deep into the left side of the box and crossed the ball over to her teammate. O'Brien's first shot was deflected of the goalies foot and back to her for a second attempt that was again turned away and out of the box.
Allen's shot came off a header pass by O'Brien that popped over the defenders head. Allen had green space in front of her, but she could not beat the keeper for the score.
The Zips return to action on Thursday, Oct. 6, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. Akron hosts cross-town rival Kent State at 7 p.m. as a part of the Wagon Wheel Challenge.
