Kent State Edges Akron, 1-0

Sunday, March 7

Kent, Ohio

1:00 PM

University of Akron

0-2-0, 0-2-0MAC

Kent State

2-0-0, 2-0-0MAC

Akron

Kent State

March 07 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

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BOXSCORE (PDF)

KENT, Ohio - The University of Akron women's soccer team battled one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference down to the wire before Kent State (2-0-0, 2-0-0 MAC) garnered a 1-0 triumph past the Zips (0-2-0, 0-2-0 MAC) on Sunday, March 7.

"We competed much better today and that's what you always want to see, an improvement on the previous game," Akron head coach Noreen Herlihy commented. "We defended better, kept the ball better as a team, but in key moments in final third our final pass or decision-making wasn't clinical enough. The effort was there so we can take positives from today's game and build on it for next game."

A 61st-minute (60:01) goal from Yasmine Hall proved to be the game-winning tally, one that lifted the Golden Flashes to victory in the opening leg of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge between the two schools in women's soccer this season. Through 10 events, the Zips lead the multi-sport series, 4.0-3.5.

Kent State posted a 12-7 edge in shots on the afternoon, including 7-2 on goal.

Redshirt junior Aislinn Meaney (Ennis, Ireland) and freshman Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) directed Akron's offensive attack registering two shots apiece. Vital Kats led all players with a game-high six shots for the Golden Flashes.

Sophomore GK Vanessa Berlin (Gau-Odernheim, Germany) recorded a career-high six saves for the Zips, including four in the opening stanza. Sarah Melen collected a pair of stops in net for Kent State.

The two teams were locked in a scoreless contest at the intermission with the Golden Flashes edging Akron in first-half shots, 6-5.

Kent State scored what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 60:01 mark when Hall found the back of the net off an assist from Amanda Windquist.

Meaney recorded the first shot on goal for the Zips on the day in the 83rd minute (82:06), a strike that was corralled for a save by Melen.

Senior Ryley Watt (Irwin, Pa.) turned in a shot on goal of her own at the 87:20 mark, again thwarted by a stop from Melen.

Akron is scheduled to travel to Athens, Ohio, to square off against Ohio on Sunday, March 14 in a 4 p.m. contest.