Akron Downs Saint Francis to Notch Program’s First-Ever Victory

Sunday, February 28

Loretto, PA

2:00 PM

University of Akron

1-1

Saint Francis (Pa.)

0-1

Akron

Saint Francis

Akron Downs Saint Francis to Notch Program’s First-Ever Victory

February 28 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

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BOXSCORE (PDF)

LORETTO, Pa. - A goal by redshirt freshmen Alexis Kiefer (West Chicago, Ill.) with 35 seconds left in regulation propelled the University of Akron women's lacrosse team to the first-ever victory in program history, an 8-7 triumph, over Saint Francis (0-1) on Sunday, Feb. 28.

"The score of this game is not the only thing that represents a WIN today, but the amount of energy, fight, maturity, and camaraderie that this team showed topped it all off," Akron head coach Christy Mitchell commented. "They earned this win, and it is only the beginning. We are so proud to be Zips."

Kiefer led the Zips (1-1) with a match- and career-high four goals on the afternoon, with all four of her tallies coming in the final 11 minutes of the match.

Akron also benefited from one goal apiece courtesy of redshirt junior Anna Dennison (Fallston, Md.), redshirt freshman Kaija Kunttu (Zionsville, Ind.), redshirt sophomore Kaylee Riggins (Zionsville, Ind) and redshirt freshman Abby Schaefer (Beaver Falls, Pa.).

Freshman Noelle Boyd (Murrysville, Pa.), Kunttu and Schaeffer added assists on the day for the Zips.

Sparked by a 14-6 edge in second-half shots, including 12-6 on goal, Akron finished the afternoon besting Saint Francis in shots (25-23) and shots on goal (19-17).

Livia Baker scored a team-high three goals for the Red Flash, while Emileigh Scott, Lizzie Fisher and Amanda Heidt registered two, one and one goals, respectively.

In her first collegiate start in goal, freshman Ashley Lapp (Missouri City, Texas) notched 10 saves.

The two sides exchanged the first six goals of the opening half with Kunttu, Riggins and Schaefer tallying goals at the 2:42, 9:08 and 12:27 marks.

After Saint Francis went ahead, 4-3, Dennison knotted the match at four with her first goal of the season in the 20th minute (19:10).

The tilt was tied at four at halftime as the Red Flash posted an 17-11 edge in first-half shots, including an 11-7 margin in shots on goal.

Scoring proved to be at a premium to start the second half as neither team cracked the scoring column until Saint Francis went ahead, 6-4, with tallies at the 12:20 and 16:31 marks, respectively.

Kiefer answered with back-to-back goals over a 34-second span to even the score at six with 10:45 remaining in the match.

The Red Flash went back ahead with a goal with 2:34 left in the match before Kiefer found the back of the net with the equalizer with 89 seconds remaining in regulation.

Akron is slated to open play in the Mid-American Conference hosting Youngstown State on Friday, March 5. The 3 p.m. tilt will be contested at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

AKRON GOALS:
Kaija Kunttu (27:18-1st) (unassisted); Kaylee Riggins (20:52-1st) (Schaeffer); Abby Schaefer (17:33-1st) (Boyd); Anna Dennison (10:50-1st) (unassisted); Alexis Kiefer (11:19-2nd) (unassisted); Alexis Kiefer (10:45-2nd) (Kunttu), Alexis Kiefer (1:29-2nd) (unassisted); Alexis Kiefer (0:35-2nd) (unassisted)