Zips Open MAC Schedule With Kent State and Ohio

Thursday, September 23

Kent, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Kent State

September 22 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio- The Akron women's soccer team opens the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule with a pair of matches this week. The Zips head to rival Kent State for a Thursday (Sept. 23) matchup scheduled for 7 p.m. at Dix Stadium. Akron will kick off the home portion of the league slate, taking on Ohio on Sunday (Sept. 26) afternoon. That contest will begin at 1 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Sept. 23 at Kent State | 7 p.m. | Dix Stadium | Kent, Ohio
Live Stats: www.GoZips.com

Sept. 26 vs Ohio | 1 p.m. | FirstEnergy Stadium | Akron, Ohio
Live Stats: www.GoZips.com

SCOUTING AKRON:
Akron returns eight starters in 2021, including four of its top-five goal scorers led by junior Sydney Worthy (Groveport, Ohio), who posted team-high marks in goals (3), points (8), shots (13) and game-winners (2). Tallying one goal each for the Zips was redshirt junior Aislinn Meaney (Ennis, Ireland), junior Carly Pcholinsky (South Park, Pa.) and freshman Annabel Thomas (Canonsburg, Pa.). Sophomore GK Vanessa Berlin (Gau-Oderheim, Germany) returns for Akron after starting six games this past spring and recording 35 saves.

Akron enters Thursday's game 2-6-0 overall after falling to Niagara on the road, 2-1. The fell short on the road as Niagara capitalized on a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes of the game. Sophomore Bailee Bowers (Dublin, Ohio) scored her first goal of the season at the 71:41 mark of the game on an assist from Sarah Nguyen (Irwin, Pa.).

Stafford paces the Zips this season in goals (3), points (6), and shots on goal (4), while Meaney leads the squad in shots (15) and shots on goal (7). Freshman goalkeeper Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) has recorded 43 saves on the campaign.

Akron is led by seventh-year head coach Noreen Herlihy, who maintains a 33-67-14 ledger at the helm of the Zips' program, and a 283-180-44 mark in 27 campaigns overall as a head coach.

SCOUTING KENT STATE
Kent State enters plays this Thursday, Sept. 23 standing at 4-3-0 on the campaign after dropping a 2-1 decision to No. 15 West Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The Flashes are led by redshirt senior Cameron Shedenhelm who paces the squad in goals (4), points (17), shots (14), and assists (3). Junior goalkeeper Sarah Melen has played in seven games and recorded a team-high 18 saves.

The Flashes are led by 21st-year head coach Rob Mainaro, who maintains a 187-156-42 ledger at the helm of the Kent State program.

	KENT STATE	AKRON
Overall Record	4-3-0	2-6-0
Conference Record	0-0-0	0-0-0
Goals	18	8
Goals-Shot Attempts	18-70	8-78
Goals Per Game	2.57	1.00
Assists	13	6
Shots	70	78
Shot on Goal	46	36
Shots Percentage	.257	.103
Shots on Goal Per Game	6.57	4.50
Shots Per Game	10.00	9.75
Corner Kicks	28	21
Opponent Corner Kicks	41	38
Penalty Kicks	3-3	1-1
Opponent Penalty Kicks	2-2	1-1

SERIES HISTORY
The Zips will square off against Kent State for the 21st time in program history with Golden Flashes leading the all-time series 16-4-0. Last season, the Zips split the series, 1-1 with Kent State. Kent State earned a 1-0 decision past Akron on March 7, 2021, at Dix Stadium, before claiming the series finale with a 1-0 win at home on March 28, 2021. A 0.5 point is up for grabs in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge in Thursday's match.

CRYSTAL CLINIC ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE:
A half-point in the 15-sport Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge will be on the line when Akron battles Kent State on Thursday, Sept.22. The rivalry series between the Zips and Golden Flashes is based on a time-honored competition for an historic wooden wagon wheel trophy awarded originally in 1945 to the winner of the annual Akron-Kent State football game. Kent State took the challenge last season with a final score of 7.0-6.0.

Since the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include 15 NCAA varsity sports, with victories in each sport adding one point to the challenge standings. To learn more about the rivalry and follow the results and standings, visit:
www.WagonWheelChallenge.com

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio enters play on Sunday standing at 4-3-0 on the campaign after dropping a 3-0 decision to Western Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 19.

The Bobcats are led by sophomore Shae Robertson who paces the squad in goals (2), points (4), shots (17), and shots on goal (6). Senior goalkeeper Sam Wexell has played in all seven games and has registered 19 total saves.

The Bobcats are led by 9th-year head coach Aaron Rodgers who maintains a 57-83-13 ledger at the helm of the Ohio program.

	OHIO	AKRON
Overall Record	4-3-0	2-6-0
Conference Record	0-0-0	0-0-0
Goals	8	8
Goals-Shot Attempts	8-116	8-78
Goals Per Game	1.14	1.00
Assists	2	6
Shots	116	78
Shot on Goal	54	36
Shots Percentage	.069	.103
Shots on Goal Per Game	7.71	4.50
Shots Per Game	16.57	9.75
Corner Kicks	40	21
Opponent Corner Kicks	36	38
Penalty Kicks	0-1	1-1
Opponent Penalty Kicks	0-0	1-1

SERIES HISTORY
The Zips will square off against Ohio for the 21st time in program history with Bobcats leading the all-time series 12-5-3. Last season, the two teams split the series, 1-1 when Ohio earned a 3-0 triumph past Akron on March 14, 2021 in Athens, Ohio, before the Zips claimed a 2-0 win over the Bobcats at home on April 4, 2021.

UP NEXT
Akron will host Miami (OH) Thursday, Sept. 30 at FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. match before traveling to Muncie, Ind. for a 2 p.m. tilt at Ball State on Sunday, Oct. 3.