The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Three Unanswered Goals Spark, 3-2, Come-From-Behind Win Over CMU
October 20 | Women's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – Trailing by two after 84 minutes of play, the Zips women's soccer team scored two goals in the final five minutes to force overtime, before freshman Julia Crowe (Ann Arbor, Mich.) notched the golden-goal for the Zips in the second overtime period to edge Central Michigan, 3-2, on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet field.
After 100 minutes of play, the game remained tied at 2-2. Akron came out of the second overtime period aggressive. Off a turnover, Crowe beat a CMU defender for the ball and dribbled into the middle of the field. From 30 yards out, the freshman laced a shot into the left side of the goal for the golden-goal victory. Crowe's goal in the 109' of the game was the defenders first goal of her career as well as the first game-winning goal.
Akron regained life at the 84:19 mark when freshman Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.) cut into the Chippeaws lead with her fifth goal of the season. The defender dribbled the ball down the right side of the field and launched a long shot that was just out of reach of the keeper, hit the cross bar and down into the back of the net.
With time winding down, Akron knotted up the game at two all in the final minute of play (89:17). Sophomore Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio) lined up for a corner kick after the ball was last touched by CMU. The midfielder placed a ball to the far side of the net and she connected with sophomore Kiana Zuk (Windsor, Ontario) who scored with her left foot to to the left side of the net.
"We are very happy for the team after this win because they gave us everything they could. The girls played with so much heart and character, we couldn't be more proud," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "After coming off two hard fought games on the road that resulted in a tie, this was a well deserved win for such a great group of girls."
The Zips (4-9-4, 1-4-4 MAC) tallied a season-high 19 shots on the night, along with a season-high 10 shots on goal. To lead the team, senior Madison Kaser (Silver Lake, Ohio), Amato, and freshman Catie Corrigan (Avonlake, Ohio) paced the Zips with a team-high three shots. The trio of Crowe, and sophomores Rachel Baughman (Alliance, Ohio) and Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio) garnered another two shots each, respectively.
Redshirt freshman Samara Yurchak (Leola, Pa.) earned her first collegiate victory in the net for the Zips, while tying a season-high nine saves in 110 minutes of action.
Akron looked to attack early in the game with a pair of shots in the first nine minutes of the game. Amato got a head on a ball sent in off a corner kick in the 2' but the ball went wide of the goal. Baughman followed by pushing the ball up the right side of the field, planted and laced a shot curling to the left but right to the hands of the CMU keeper.
At the 18:10 mark, Schrader possessed the ball in the midfield surrounded by CMU defenders. From 30 yards out, the midfielder found space and ripped a shot that bent down towards the keeper who popped the ball into the air and into her hands for the save.
The Chippewas (13-2-2, 5-2-0 MAC) got on the scoreboard with 15 minutes to play in the first half (30:23). After a foul was called on the Zips just outside of the box, Samantha Maher placed a shot in the bottom left corner of the net past a diving Yurchak.
The Zips nearly knotted up the game at one each in the 41st minute. Schrader sent in a short corner kick that landed at the foot of Crowe who was able to make a touch out of the box. Corrigan received the pass at the top of the box and sent a shot that just hit off the far right post.
Freshman Chloe Allen (Novi, Mich.) had an opportunity to put the Zips on the board early in the second half. The forward received a pass from Corrigan and quickly turned up the field. Allen dribbled in-between CMU defenders and to the middle of the field before taking a shot to the middle of the goal but the keeper stood tall for the save.
Akron nearly scored the equalizer in the 63 minute. After a corner kick by the Zips that was punched out by the CMU goalie, the ball landed at the foot of Kaser who shot put a shot on goal. Just at the last second, a CMU defender kicked the ball out of the box just before crossing the goal line.
Central Michigan increased its lead and claimed a 2-0 advantage at the 73:12 mark of the second half. The Chippewas, Maher, corralled the ball off a turnover by the Zips. She dribbled the ball to her right, sent a shot that was slightly deflected by an Akron defender past Yurchak who extended to try and make the play.
The Zips got back into the game in the 85' with Amato's goal and did not look back on their way to a hard fought victory against one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference.
Amato's goal in the 85' broke a scoreless druaght for the Zips spanning 344 minutes.
Akron returns to action this Sunday, Oct. 23, against Eastern Michigan. The Zips and Eagles are slated to play at 1 p.m. in their annual Kick for the Cure game. Prior to the game, the Zips will honor their six seniors with a pre-game ceremony for senior day.
