Akron Unable to Complete Second-Half Comeback as Zips Fall to Gardner-Webb

Friday, February 26

Akron, Ohio

3:00 PM

University of Akron

0-1

Gardner-Webb

2-0

Gardner-Webb

Akron

Akron Unable to Complete Second-Half Comeback as Zips Fall to Gardner-Webb

February 26 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Follow Akron Women's Lacrosse on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

BOXSCORE (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron women's lacrosse team was unable to complete its second-half comeback as Gardner-Webb (2-0) spoiled the Zips' season opener registering a 16-8 victory on Friday, Feb. 26, at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

"Today was the beginning of our momentum," Akron head coach Christy Mitchell commented. "I am proud of the heart, and proud of how much we figured out together. This team has so much more to bring, and we are ready to prove it."

Freshman Chloe Hererra (Houston, Texas) and redshirt sophomore Kaylee Riggins (Zionsville, Ind) directed Akron's offensive attack recording a team-best two goals apiece. The Zips (0-1) also garnered tallies from freshman Noelle Boyd (Murrysville, Pa.) and redshirt freshmen Alexis Kiefer (West Chicago, Ill.), Kaija Kunttu (Zionsville, Ind.) and Abby McMullen (Medina, Ohio).

Talen Francis scored a match-high five goals for the Runnin' Bulldogs, while Eilish Gately, Tori Birks, Megan Trout and Jessica Vetter added three, two, two and two goals, respectively.

In her collegiate debut in goal, freshman Ashley Lapp (Missouri City, Texas) notched a match-high 10 saves in nearly 42 minutes (41:34) of action.

Trailing 11-2 after the opening half, the Zips posted a 21-13 edge in second-half shots en route to notching the first four goals of the final period.

Akron cut the deficit to 11-6 following a pair of goals from Riggins at the 4:02 and 6:42 marks of the second half, while McMullen and Kunttu added tallies in the seventh (6:14) and 14th (13:36) minutes, respectively.

Kiefer and Hererra capped the Zips' scoring efforts in the second half with goals at the 18:40 and 25:05 marks.

Each of Akron's goals in the second half were off of assists, including a pair from redshirt junior Anna Dennison (Fallston, Md.).

Akron is slated to travel to Loretto, Pa., to battle Saint Francis (Pa.) in a 2 p.m. match on Sunday, Feb. 28.

AKRON GOALS:
Noelle Boyd (29:15-1st) (unassisted); Chloe Hererra (5:43-1st) (unassisted); Kaylee Riggins (25:58-2nd) (McMullen); Abby McMullen (23:46-2nd) (Riggins); Kaylee Riggins (23:18-2nd) (Boyd); Kaija Kunttu (16:24-2nd) (Dennison); Alexis Kiefer (11:20-2nd) (Kunttu); Chloe Hererra (4:55-2nd) (Dennison)