The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, August 18
Akron, OH
7 pm
University of Akron
vs
Milwaukee
Photo by: Jeff Harwell
Akron Women’s Soccer Ready to Make Its Mark with Season Opener
August 17 | Women's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio -- With a new season upon us, the 2017 Akron women's soccer team is locked in and ready to set out on a journey to head back to the Mid-American Conference tournament for the second time in three years.
The first step towards achieving the goal begins with the 2017 home opener on Friday, Aug. 18, at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field at 7 p.m., against Milwaukee. The Zips will again defend home field two days later on Sunday, Aug. 20, when Green Bay travels to Akron for a 1 p.m. contest.
"The players have worked hard over the last two weeks in preseason. With so many freshmen, we understand it is going to take time for it all to come together. Milwaukee is an excellent program, but it'll be a great test for our young players and for us to see where we are and what we need to continually improve on," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "It's a process and the players fully understand that. We are excited to play in front of our home fans on such a special field and will be brave in how we are looking to play."
The Akron roster features 24 players for the 2017 season with one senior, six juniors, five sophomores, and 13 freshmen.
The Zips have one of the youngest teams in the nation with 13 freshmen. Only
New Mexico has a bigger freshman class with 15 players joining their squad.
The veteran leadership of the returning core including Sydney Schipani (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Rachel Baughman (Alliance, Ohio), Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio), Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), and Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.), will be called upon to help lead the team and incorporate the young freshmen to the Akron program.
"We all collectively as upper classmen are very close knit, so as a group we all need to step up and be leaders to the team, not just one person," said Schrader. "Showing the incoming freshmen the ropes and getting them comfortable with the program so we all understand what our goal is, is key for us being successful this year"
With a limited number of upper classmen, the team will need some of the freshmen to come in and make an impact on the field.
"We rely on our fitness to help us be successful on the field, so as upperclassmen, we have really emphasized how important it is for the freshmen to understand that," said Baughman. "Along with being fit, we have to work as a team and build good team chemistry. By doing so we can eliminate some mistakes on the field."
With such a young roster, the freshman class will be called upon to make an immediate impact, and Herlihy believes they can help this program now and for years to come.
"The freshmen will gain plenty of experience this season, and if they contribute a lot, that will bode well for the future of this program," said Herlihy. "With the returning players guiding them, they are in good hands, and we look forward to seeing how it all unfolds."
As every new season comes, new challenges arise. The Zips look to overcome any challenge thrown their way with their work ethic, positive attitude, grit, and perseverance. In doing so, the Akron women's soccer team has its goals set and are ready to step onto the pitch and achieve them.
Match Notes (PDF)
Akron (0-0-0) vs. Milwaukee (0-0-0)
Friday, Aug. 18
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7:00 p.m.
Akron (0-0-0) vs. Green Bay (0-0-0)
Sunday, Aug. 20
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 1:00 p.m.
Live Stats: www.akronstats.com
AKRON, Ohio -- With a new season upon us, the 2017 Akron women's soccer team is locked in and ready to set out on a journey to head back to the Mid-American Conference tournament for the second time in three years.
The first step towards achieving the goal begins with the 2017 home opener on Friday, Aug. 18, at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field at 7 p.m., against Milwaukee. The Zips will again defend home field two days later on Sunday, Aug. 20, when Green Bay travels to Akron for a 1 p.m. contest.
"The players have worked hard over the last two weeks in preseason. With so many freshmen, we understand it is going to take time for it all to come together. Milwaukee is an excellent program, but it'll be a great test for our young players and for us to see where we are and what we need to continually improve on," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "It's a process and the players fully understand that. We are excited to play in front of our home fans on such a special field and will be brave in how we are looking to play."
The Akron roster features 24 players for the 2017 season with one senior, six juniors, five sophomores, and 13 freshmen.
The Zips have one of the youngest teams in the nation with 13 freshmen. Only
New Mexico has a bigger freshman class with 15 players joining their squad.
The veteran leadership of the returning core including Sydney Schipani (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Rachel Baughman (Alliance, Ohio), Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio), Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio), and Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.), will be called upon to help lead the team and incorporate the young freshmen to the Akron program.
"We all collectively as upper classmen are very close knit, so as a group we all need to step up and be leaders to the team, not just one person," said Schrader. "Showing the incoming freshmen the ropes and getting them comfortable with the program so we all understand what our goal is, is key for us being successful this year"
With a limited number of upper classmen, the team will need some of the freshmen to come in and make an impact on the field.
"We rely on our fitness to help us be successful on the field, so as upperclassmen, we have really emphasized how important it is for the freshmen to understand that," said Baughman. "Along with being fit, we have to work as a team and build good team chemistry. By doing so we can eliminate some mistakes on the field."
With such a young roster, the freshman class will be called upon to make an immediate impact, and Herlihy believes they can help this program now and for years to come.
"The freshmen will gain plenty of experience this season, and if they contribute a lot, that will bode well for the future of this program," said Herlihy. "With the returning players guiding them, they are in good hands, and we look forward to seeing how it all unfolds."
As every new season comes, new challenges arise. The Zips look to overcome any challenge thrown their way with their work ethic, positive attitude, grit, and perseverance. In doing so, the Akron women's soccer team has its goals set and are ready to step onto the pitch and achieve them.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
MF
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