The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, April 2
Kent, Ohio
1:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Kent State
Akron Renews Rivalry with Kent State in MAC Showdown
April 01 | Women's Lacrosse
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KENT STATE: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
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AKRON, Ohio -Â The University of Akron lacrosse team renews its rivalry with Kent State this weekend as the second installment of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge between the two teams takes place on Saturday, April 2 with the Zips traveling to face the Golden Flashes in a 1 p.m. showdown at Dix Stadium.
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CRYSTAL CLINIC ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE:
A half point in the 14-sport Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge will be on the line when Akron battles Kent State on Tuesday, Feb. 23. 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. Through 14 events this season, the Zips lead the series, 5.0-4.5.
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Since the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include 14 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
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SCOUTING AKRON:
Junior Alexis Kiefer (West Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Noelle Boyd (Murrysville, Pa.), who own 73 and 63 shots, respectively, have headlined Akron's offensive efforts this season. Kiefer, Boyd, sophomore Anjali Silverheels (Hamburg, N.Y.) and freshman Izzy Szejk (Camp Hill, Pa.) have posted a team-high 24, 23, eight and eight goals, respectively, while Boyd has registered team-best marks in goals (24), points (28), draw controls (77) and ground balls (34), while ranking second in assists (4), shots (63) and shots on goal (52). Sophomore GK Ashley Lapp (Missouri City, Texas) has turned in 98 saves for Akron on the year.
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Boyd rates fifth in the MAC in shots (63), sixth in goals (24) and shots per contest (5.25) and seventh in goals per game (2.00). Kiefer is ranked third in shots (73) and shots per tilt (6.08). Lapp ranks first in the conference in goals against average (12.31), second in save percentage (.434), third in saves (98) and fourth in saves per outing (8.17).
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SCOUTING KENT STATE:
Kent State has won its last two matches, including a 16-11 triumph past Detroit on March 26, entering play against the Zips on Saturday, April 2. Sophomore Jackie Wolford directs the Golden Flashes' offensive attack with team-high marks in goals (29), points (31) and shots on goal (41), while ranking second in shots (63) and draw controls (23) and fourth in ground balls (17). Senior Abby Jones leads Kent State in draw controls (35), while junior Morgan Kubicki paces the team in assists (10). Junior GK Madison Flannigan has collected 104 saves on the campaign for Kent State. The Golden Flashes are led by fourth-year head coach Brianne Tierney, who owns a 34-64 ledger in seven years as a head coach, including a 11-39 ledger at Kent State.
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ZIPS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS:
Goalkeeper Ashley Lapp is rated 21st in the NCAA in saves (98), 46th in saves per game (8.17), 51st in save percentage (.434) and 58th in goals against average (12.31). Boyd is ranked 17th in draw controls per contest (6.42), 23rd in ground balls per tilt (2.83) and 28th in free position percentage (.615), while Alexis Kiefer is 43rd in free position percentage (.583). Juniors Abby McMullen (Medina, Ohio) and Jenna Ridener (Cincinnati, Ohio) are rated 45th, respectively, in caused turnovers per match (1.50).
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As a team, Akron is ranked first in the NCAA in ground ball per game (22.33), 21st in caused turnovers (9.42), 40th in draw control percentage (.516), 44th in free position percentage (.458), 45th in save percentage (.440) and 54th in scoring defense (12.06).
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IN OUR LAST MEETING WITH KENT STATE (FEB. 23, 2022 - AKRON, OHIO):
Noelle Boyd scored a career-high six goals to spark the Zips to an 11-6 triumph past rival Kent State on Feb. 23 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.
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Full match recap (click here)
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UP NEXT:
Akron welcomes Youngstown State to InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field for a 2 p.m. tilt on Saturday, April 9.
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KENT STATE: LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
Â
AKRON, Ohio -Â The University of Akron lacrosse team renews its rivalry with Kent State this weekend as the second installment of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge between the two teams takes place on Saturday, April 2 with the Zips traveling to face the Golden Flashes in a 1 p.m. showdown at Dix Stadium.
Â
CRYSTAL CLINIC ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE:
A half point in the 14-sport Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge will be on the line when Akron battles Kent State on Tuesday, Feb. 23. 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. Through 14 events this season, the Zips lead the series, 5.0-4.5.
Â
Since the 2011-12 academic year, the rivalry was broadened to include 14 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
Â
SCOUTING AKRON:
Junior Alexis Kiefer (West Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Noelle Boyd (Murrysville, Pa.), who own 73 and 63 shots, respectively, have headlined Akron's offensive efforts this season. Kiefer, Boyd, sophomore Anjali Silverheels (Hamburg, N.Y.) and freshman Izzy Szejk (Camp Hill, Pa.) have posted a team-high 24, 23, eight and eight goals, respectively, while Boyd has registered team-best marks in goals (24), points (28), draw controls (77) and ground balls (34), while ranking second in assists (4), shots (63) and shots on goal (52). Sophomore GK Ashley Lapp (Missouri City, Texas) has turned in 98 saves for Akron on the year.
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Boyd rates fifth in the MAC in shots (63), sixth in goals (24) and shots per contest (5.25) and seventh in goals per game (2.00). Kiefer is ranked third in shots (73) and shots per tilt (6.08). Lapp ranks first in the conference in goals against average (12.31), second in save percentage (.434), third in saves (98) and fourth in saves per outing (8.17).
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SCOUTING KENT STATE:
Kent State has won its last two matches, including a 16-11 triumph past Detroit on March 26, entering play against the Zips on Saturday, April 2. Sophomore Jackie Wolford directs the Golden Flashes' offensive attack with team-high marks in goals (29), points (31) and shots on goal (41), while ranking second in shots (63) and draw controls (23) and fourth in ground balls (17). Senior Abby Jones leads Kent State in draw controls (35), while junior Morgan Kubicki paces the team in assists (10). Junior GK Madison Flannigan has collected 104 saves on the campaign for Kent State. The Golden Flashes are led by fourth-year head coach Brianne Tierney, who owns a 34-64 ledger in seven years as a head coach, including a 11-39 ledger at Kent State.
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ZIPS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS:
Goalkeeper Ashley Lapp is rated 21st in the NCAA in saves (98), 46th in saves per game (8.17), 51st in save percentage (.434) and 58th in goals against average (12.31). Boyd is ranked 17th in draw controls per contest (6.42), 23rd in ground balls per tilt (2.83) and 28th in free position percentage (.615), while Alexis Kiefer is 43rd in free position percentage (.583). Juniors Abby McMullen (Medina, Ohio) and Jenna Ridener (Cincinnati, Ohio) are rated 45th, respectively, in caused turnovers per match (1.50).
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As a team, Akron is ranked first in the NCAA in ground ball per game (22.33), 21st in caused turnovers (9.42), 40th in draw control percentage (.516), 44th in free position percentage (.458), 45th in save percentage (.440) and 54th in scoring defense (12.06).
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IN OUR LAST MEETING WITH KENT STATE (FEB. 23, 2022 - AKRON, OHIO):
Noelle Boyd scored a career-high six goals to spark the Zips to an 11-6 triumph past rival Kent State on Feb. 23 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.
Â
Full match recap (click here)
Â
UP NEXT:
Akron welcomes Youngstown State to InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field for a 2 p.m. tilt on Saturday, April 9.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Lacrosse
MF
/ Women's Lacrosse
GK
/ Women's Lacrosse
MF
/ Women's Lacrosse
D
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
/ Women's Lacrosse
A
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