Zips Lose, 2-1, On Late PK Decision

Sunday, October 1

Ypsilanti, MI

TBA

University of Akron

1-9-2, 0-4-0MAC

Eastern Michigan

4-8-1, 1-3-0MAC

Akron

Eastern Michigan

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

October 01 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

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Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

Ypsilanti, Mich. – The Akron women's soccer team jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first half of the match and outshot the Eagles thanks to an aggressive offensive mindset , but two second-half goals including the game-winning tally off a penalty kick in the 83' was the deciding factor in the Zips 2-1 loss to Eastern Michigan on Sunday afternoon.

"Obviously everyone is disappointed especially after going 1-0 up and even after that we created plenty of chances but didn't put them away," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "To lose on a PK was tough, but we can still take lots of positives from the game moving forward."

In the box score, Akron (1-9-2) outshot Eastern Michigan in the afternoon affair, 13-11, including the advantage in shots on goal, 8-6. Freshman Ally Brown (Batavia, Ohio) led the offensive attack for the Zips with three shots, with a pair coming on frame. Junior Rachel Baughman (Alliance, Ohio), along with sophomore Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.) tallied two shots each, while six other Zips recorded a shot in the contest.

On the defensive side of the ball, freshman goalkeeper Amani Jiu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) made four saves, while allowing one goal in the run of play and a penalty kick.

The game began with a back-and-forth attack by the Zips and Eagles, as Akron posted two shots early in the contest and Eastern Michigan garnered four early attempts.

Akron would jump out to a 1-0 lead at the 27:17 mark of the first half when Brown scored her first career goal in an Akron uniform. Junior Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio) forced a turnover in the box by the Eagles. Schrader then found Brown open, who then drilled a shot into the back of the net.

In the following minutes of play, Akron continued its aggressive style and posted two more shots in the 29' and 39' by Brown and Amato. Brown's attempt at the goal was blocked by an EMU defender, while Amato's header landed wide of the net.

Three minutes into the second half, the Eagles tied up the contest at one (48:57).

The Zips had a few chances to regain the lead following the EMU equalizer. Baughman, freshman Lauren Lambert (Stoutsville, Ohio) and junior Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) each had shots saved by the Eagles keeper, and Brown had a shot that was turned away by an EMU defender for a team save.

In the 83', UA was called for a foul inside the box. Eastern Michigan was awarded a penalty kick and put the ball past Jiu.

Freshman Erin Babcock (Liberty Township, Ohio) had an opportunity to tie the game back up in the 84', but her header off a corner kick that was served in by Schrader was saved by the EMU keeper.

As the clock hit 90-minutes, the Zips fell short, 2-1, to the Eagles.

Akron closes out its three-game road swing on Thursday, Oct. 5, when Akron travels to cross-town rival, Kent State, for the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge. First touch is scheduled for 7 p.m.