Akron Wins Battle of Possession and Shots Over Ball State, But Cardinals Come Out On Top, 1-0

Friday, October 4

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

4-7-0, 1-2-0

Ball State

8-3-0, 2-1-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Ball St.	0	1	1
Akron	0	0	0

Akron Wins Battle of Possession and Shots Over Ball State, But Cardinals Come Out On Top, 1-0

October 04 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Video Highlights

AKRON, Ohio– The Akron women's soccer team found itself in a possession battle against Ball State that saw the Zips outshoot the Cardinals, 8-7, while the Akron defense limited a potent Ball State offense, however, the Cardinals topped the Zips, 1-0, on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Despite the result, the Akron offense created several opportunities, edged Ball State in shots 8-to-7, and owned the advantage in corner kicks, 5-3. In the second half alone, UA outshot the Cardinals, 6-3.

Individually, three Zips registered two shots in the match including, senior Ashley Amato (Pittsburgh, Pa.), sophomore Carly Pcholinsky (South Park, Pa.) and freshman Aislinn Meaney (Ennis, Ireland). Sophomores Kayleigh Penton (Vermilion, Ohio) and Sydney Ward (Connellsville, Ohio) posted one shot each. The shot attempts off the foot of Pcholinsky in the first half and Meaney in the second was pulled in by the Cardinals keeper.

On the defensive front, freshman Libby Harper (Hatfield, England) made a pair of saves in the net. The Zips keeper and defensive backline of Amato, Penton, junior Ryley Watt (Irwin, Pa.), and Lucia Lobato (Galway, Ireland) have limited the opposition to just two goals in the Zips three MAC contests.

After 45 minutes of play, Akron registered a pair of shots in the stanza by way of Pcholinsky and Penton.

Despite just two shots in the first half, Akron controlled possession of the ball and quickly turned away any Ball State offensive attack.

Coming out of the locker room, the Zips looked to try and blitz the Cardinal's defense. Just 34 seconds into the half (45:34), Meaney put on a shot on goal from distance straight away but the shot was corralled in for the save. Additionally, in a span of a minute and thirty seconds, Akron earned three corner kicks with the final attempt resulting in a shot by Ward which missed wide right.

Ball State scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 60' of the match.

Even after conceding the go-head tally, the Zips continued to push the ball into their offensive third. UA attempted three shots in the final 30 minutes of play and did not allow the Cardinals to take another shot in the match. However, the Zips could not find the back of the net allowing Ball State to claim the 1-0 win.

The weekend continues for the Akron women's soccer team on Sunday, Oct. 6, when the Zips host Miami (Ohio) for its fourth Mid-American Conference match of the campaign. The contest between the Zips and RedHawks is the 2019 Alumnae Reunion where UA will recognize its esteemed alums who have returned to their alma mater.