Akron Dominates Second Half, But First Half Goal Hands Charlotte 1-0 Win Over Zips

Friday, August 23

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

0-1-0

Charlotte

0-0-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Charlotte	1	0	1
Akron	0	0	0

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Akron Dominates Second Half, But First Half Goal Hands Charlotte 1-0 Win Over Zips

August 23 | Women's Soccer

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AKRON, Ohio– After falling behind 1-0 in the first half, the Akron women's soccer team dominated possession in the second stanza of its 2019 season opener against UNC Charlotte, but the Zips could not find the back of the net as the 49er's held on for the victory at FirstEnergy Stadium Friday night.

In the final 45 minutes of play, Akron outshot Charlotte, 5-4, including 2-to-1 in shots on goal.

For the Zips offense, redshirt sophomore Aislinn Meany (Ennis, Ireland) held a team-high two shots with one coming on frame, while junior Annamarie Alfery (Cheswick, Pa.), sophomore Hailey Clere (Clay, Ohio), and freshman Lucia Lobato (Galway, Ireland) all registered a shot in the match.

In the goal, freshman Vanessa Berlin (Gau-Odernheim, Germany) made her first collegiate start for the Zips, made one save, and allowed one goal in 45 minutes of action. In the second half, freshman Libby Harper (Hatfield, England) earned the nod between the pipes and chipped in a clean sheet in the second half with one save.

Seven Zips made their Akron debuts against Charlotte, including Meany, Berlin, Lobato, Harper, junior Anya Donelan (Warrington, England), Bailee Bowers (Dublin, Ohio), and Emily Clopp (Canonsburg, Pa.)

At the 54:40 mark of the contest, Lobato nearly netted the equalizer from 25 yards out, however, her strike hit off the crossbar and landed on top of the net for a Charlotte goalkick.

Alfery, a former defender making the transition to forward, had an opportunity to square the game at one apiece at the 71:03 mark. From 10-yards out and just inside the right side of the box, Alfery went upper 90's to the right side but was denied by the 49er's keeper.

With time winding down and Akron running out of opportunities, Clere took advantage of open spacing and sent a shot from 20 yards out that narrowly sailed high and right of the net.

As the final minute ticked away, the Zips got forward put pressure in its offensive third for the entire 60 seconds but was unable to register a shot in an attempt to send the game into overtime as Charlotte walked away with the victory.

Akron returns to the pitch in two days as the Zips travel 30 minutes north up I-77 for a contest against Cleveland State. First touch between Akron and the Vikings at Krenzler field is scheduled for 1 p.m. You can catch all the action of the contest on ESPN3.