The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
UC Riverside
Zips Soccer Battles UC Riverside But Ultimately Falls 3-0
September 11 | Women's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – Akron battled UC Riverside to a scoreless first half and were evenly matched offensively, until three 2nd half goals propelled the Highlanders to a 3-0 victory over the Zips on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field.
Senior Abby Gindlesberger (Canton, Ohio) registered a team-high three shots with three coming on net. Freshman Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.) garnered two shots, one on goal, and six other Zips tallied a shot.
Senior Annabelle Hegeman (Frostburg, Md.) made three saves in 90 minutes of action for the Zips goal, increasing her season total to 33 saves.
The initial 45 minutes of play were deadlock even at 0-0 to begin the contest. UC Riverside just edged Akron in shots, 8-7, in the first half, while the Zips tallied five shots on goal compared to the Highlanders three.
In the 36', Gindlesberger sent a seam on goal from 35 yards out that was just knocked away by a diving Annie Bailey, the Highlander's goalie.
The first 15 minutes of the second half were much of the same. The Zips and Highlanders battled back-and-forth up the field but neither team could get anything going.
Gindlesberger almost gave the Zips a 1-0 lead at the 51:56 mark. Akron had the ball in its offensive third, flawlessly moved the ball across the field left-to-right and landed at the foot of Gindlesberger. The senior midfielder fired a shot from the right side of the box, but Bailey was there to make a play.
UC Riverside broke the tie in the 61' of play. The Highlanders' Blanca Barrio possessed the ball 25 yards out, dribbled from the left side of the field to the middle and sent a shot past Hegeman.
The Highlanders netted a pair of goals in the 77' and 80' minute to pull away from the Zips. Madeline Fesit and Quinley Quezada scored for UC Riverside.
Despite the result, Akron and UC Riverside played an evenly contested game. On the day, UC Riverside tallied 15 shots to Akron's 11, while the Zips garnered seven shots on goal to the Highlanders six.
Akron is back on the pitch on Friday, Spet. 16, as they close out their non-conference schedule at Duquesne. The game is set for 7 p.m.
