Zips Lose Heartbreaker In Closing Minutes

Thursday, August 31

Akron, OH

7 pm

University of Akron

1-3-1

Cleveland State

1-3-0

OT 3

OT 4

Cleveland State

Akron

Photo by: David Dermer

August 31 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

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Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio – The Akron women's soccer team played Cleveland State into the 107' of a double-overtime match with the possession in favor of the Zips, before losing a heartbreaker to the Vikings in the closing minutes of the match, 1-0, courtesy of a golden goal on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet field.

"We had the advantage in possession throughout the game but didn't finish our chances. It is important when dominating that we put the opposition away, but that's all part of the learning curve," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "We are looking to improve on putting away chances but as a young team, it takes time. With that being said, our young players are gaining more experience which is vital and the players understand that and are learning from it."

Off a foul on the Zips at the 106:57 mark of the second overtime period, Cleveland State's Grace Grant sent a shot from 25 yards out into the box and just out of reach of the Akron keeper to end the contest on a golden goal.

Just minutes' prior, Akron's Catie Corrigan (Avon Lake, Ohio) nearly won the game for the Zips at the 105:34 mark. Freshman Lauren Lambert (Stoutsville, Ohio) began the attack for Akron down the left side of the field. Cutting across and past a defender, Lambert sent a perfect cross into the box and over to the right side of the field. Corrigan pushed her way up the field as the play developed and attempted a shot off the pass that inched past the goal wide right.

Akron totaled seven shots in the contest with two key shots coming in the overtime periods. Corrigan, who entered the contest as a reserve, paced the Zips with two shots including her near-game winner. Five other Akron players each posted one shot.

Defensively, freshman Amani Jiu (Brooklyn, N.Y.) made three saves in 107 minutes of action in the net for the Zips. Jiu and the Akron all-freshmen back line were once again impressive holding the Vikings scoreless for 106 minutes.

Akron began the game with an aggressive attitude in its own offensive third. The Zips missed an opportunity to jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the 6' of the game. Freshman Ally Brown (Batavia, Ohio) took advantage of a Cleveland State turnover on the Akron side of the pitch. The Zips forward sprinted down the right side of the field with only the keeper to beat but her shot was made by a diving Viking goalie.

The Zips aggressive style of play resulted in five first half corner kicks but Akron could not get a good look on goal.

Akron had a pair of opportunities to close out the contest in the final minutes of regulation but did not strike. In the 87' Corrigan made an impressive move to lose her defender, she passed the ball into the box, and junior midfielder Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio) had an open look but her shot went too high of the net.

Corrigan began another attack with just 30 seconds to play after a late turnover by Cleveland State, but her cross into the box could not find a teammate.

Despite two looks at the goal in the extra 20 minutes of play, Cleveland State ultimately came out on top, 1-0.

The Zips next match of the 2017 season is on Sunday, Sept. 3, when Akron meets Niagara for a 1 p.m. kick time at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet field.