No. 6 Akron Women's Soccer Exciting Postseason Run Comes To An End In 1-0 Loss To No. 3 Western Michigan.

Sunday, October 28

Kalamazoo, MI

1 PM

University of Akron

8-10-1

No. 3 Western Michigan University

14-6-0

Akron

Western Michigan

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

No. 6 Akron Women's Soccer Exciting Postseason Run Comes To An End In 1-0 Loss To No. 3 Western Michigan.

October 28 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The 2018 postseason run comes to an end for the Zips women's soccer team as No. 3 Western Michigan claimed a 1-0 win over No. 6 Akron in the quarterfinal round of the 2018 MAC tournament on Sunday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.

The Zips won four straight games to end the regular season to clinch the sixth seed in the league tournament and made an appearance in the postseason for the second time in four seasons.

"Everyone is disappointed, but Western Michigan is a quality side. We did much better in the second half but unfortunately fell short. I know when the hurt subsides, these players will look back and remember what they accomplished this season and how far they improved in the league. They never quit even with all the tough OT losses early in league play. They stuck with it, kept believing and kept pushing," said head coach Noreen Herlihy. "I know everyone these women represent; their family, friends, the athletic department and University, are proud of them. It was a fun ride."

"Most importantly, we want to thank the Seniors for a great 4 years," stated Herlihy. "To make the tournament twice in their careers is something they can be proud of."

It was a game of two halves between Akron and Western Michigan with the Broncos winning the first half and Akron taking the second period, but ultimately, it is Western Michigan that moves forward with the win.

The Zips offensive efforts were led by sophomore Angela Boyce (Farmington Hills, Mich.) who tallied three of Akron's seven total shots in the match, six of which came in the second half. Sophomores Annamarie Alfery (Cheswick, Pa.) Ryley Watt (Irwin, Pa.) and freshmen Carly Pcholinsky (South Park, Pa.) and Sydney Worthy (Groveport, Ohio) all chipped in one shot each, respectively.

In the net, freshman Erin McKinney (Belvidere, Ill.) went on to made six saves in the match with all six coming in the first 45 minutes. McKinney and the Zips defense held WMU to just one second half shot. The Zips goalkeeper now has 101 saves on the season and is just the second Akron keeper to surpass the 100 save mark in a season.

Western Michigan claimed a 1-0 advantage in the 26^thminute of the match to break a scoreless contest. After the Zips were called for a foul from 30 yards out, the Broncos cashed in off an indirect free kick and headed home the eventual game-winning score.

The Zips tallied one shot in the first half of play that was pulled in for a save. Watt received a pass from junior Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and from the backline sent a shot on goal from distance that was saved.

At the intermission, Western Michigan held onto a 1-0 lead.

The script was flipped in the second half as the Zips pushed forward offensively.

Akron had a good look at the net in the 65^thminute of play as Boyce registered her first shot of the match. With the Zips pushing the ball forward and increasing its offensive pressure, freshman Carly Pcholinsky (South Park, Pa.) chipped a pass out wide to Boyce who stepped into a shot that curled right to left but into the hands of the WMU goalie.

Boyce continued to give Akron a chance at tying the game up at the 71:57 and 73:44 marks, but both chances landed wide of the net.

After entering the contest as a reserve in the second period, sophomore Annamarie Alfery (Cheswick, Pa.) was inches away from scoring her first career goal and knotting the game up as her shot from the right side of the box just sailed high over the crossbar.

As the final minutes ticked away, Akron continued to move the ball up the field but could not get a good look at the net. As the clock hit 0:00 secured the 1-0 win and ending the Zips season.