The University of Akron Athletics

Women’s Soccer Opens 2022 Campaign Hosting Youngstown State
August 17 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio- The Akron women's soccer team opens its 2022 campaign this week with a pair of matches versus Youngstown State and at Marshall. The Zips will battle the Penguins in a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday, Aug. 18 at FirstEnergy Stadium, before traveling to Marshall to face The Herd on Sunday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m.
GAME INFO
Under the direction of first-year head coach Jen Simonetti, the Zips return 16 players from last season's squad, including eight players who started 10 or more games. Akron is led by sophomore Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) who paced the team with four goals, an assist, and six shots on goal last season, while sophomore Sarah Nguyen (Irwin, Pa.) led the team with four assists and eight shots on goal. In the net, the Zips return sophomore goalie Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) who made 18 starts in goal and registered 94 saves.
The Zips welcome three true freshman to the squad in Ari Mahoney (Medina, Ohio), Emma King (Akron, Ohio), and Kristina Syragakis (Quebec, Canada), while also adding three transfers in Clara Krohn (Akron, Ohio), Merica Abnathy (Lakeland, Fla.), and Lacey Bernick (Huntingdon, Pa.).
PRESEASON POLL
The Zips were predicted to finish 11th in the Mid-American Conference in preseason poll of the league's head coaches. The Zips collected 29 points, while Ohio was picked to win the league with 131 points.
SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE
The Penguins return 22 letterwinners, including 10 seniors, for the 2022 campaign uner the direction of head coach Brian Shrum. The Penguins' 10 seniors. Seniors Reagan LaVigna and Abriana Rondin tied the team last season with two goals scored last season, while LaVigna and junior Lianna Van Sice each had a pair of assists to lead YSU.
In the net, junior Brooklyn Kirkpatrick and Mackenzie Simon are two experienced goalkeepers for the Penguins. Last season, Kirkpatrick posted a 1.02 goals-against average with 44 saves and two shutouts, while Simon was credited with a shutout and 31 saves.
SCOUTING MARSHALL
Head coach Michael Swan enters his third season at the helm of the Herd. Marshall soccer welcomes 10 newcomers to the squad.
Returning to Huntington includes Kat Gonzalez and Morgan White, each garnered third-team all-Conference USA honors last season, along with Meg Jarvis, who was named to the conference's all-freshman team.
Jarvis and Gonzalez were the team's leading goal scorers last season with five each.
White finished tied with Courtney Corcoran with for the team lead in assists with two.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Youngstown State will meet for the 10th time in program history with the Zips leading the series 8-0-1. Last season, Akron bested YSU with a 3-2 victory.
The Zips will square off against Marshall for the ninth time in program with Akron owning a 3-3-2 all-time series lead. Last season the two teams met with Marshall coming away with a 2-0 win.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Akron has instituted new clear bag policy where approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed a size of 12 inches wide by 12 inches high and 6 inches deep. Other approved bags include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar), medical bags and small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.
Prohibited bags include backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, fanny packs, large-printed bags, mesh bags, purses and tinted plastic bags.
We want all fans to have an enjoyable experience while on campus at the University of Akron and the safety of all fans is of utmost importance to us. We look forward to seeing everyone at an Akron Zips athletic event this year.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased now by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
About Zips Athletics
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200 degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
Follow women's soccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
GAME INFO
- Akron vs. YSU | Aug. 18 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Watch | Buy Tickets
- Akron vs. Marshall | Aug. 21 | 1 PM | Hoops Family Field | Live Stats | Watch
Under the direction of first-year head coach Jen Simonetti, the Zips return 16 players from last season's squad, including eight players who started 10 or more games. Akron is led by sophomore Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) who paced the team with four goals, an assist, and six shots on goal last season, while sophomore Sarah Nguyen (Irwin, Pa.) led the team with four assists and eight shots on goal. In the net, the Zips return sophomore goalie Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) who made 18 starts in goal and registered 94 saves.
The Zips welcome three true freshman to the squad in Ari Mahoney (Medina, Ohio), Emma King (Akron, Ohio), and Kristina Syragakis (Quebec, Canada), while also adding three transfers in Clara Krohn (Akron, Ohio), Merica Abnathy (Lakeland, Fla.), and Lacey Bernick (Huntingdon, Pa.).
PRESEASON POLL
The Zips were predicted to finish 11th in the Mid-American Conference in preseason poll of the league's head coaches. The Zips collected 29 points, while Ohio was picked to win the league with 131 points.
SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE
The Penguins return 22 letterwinners, including 10 seniors, for the 2022 campaign uner the direction of head coach Brian Shrum. The Penguins' 10 seniors. Seniors Reagan LaVigna and Abriana Rondin tied the team last season with two goals scored last season, while LaVigna and junior Lianna Van Sice each had a pair of assists to lead YSU.
In the net, junior Brooklyn Kirkpatrick and Mackenzie Simon are two experienced goalkeepers for the Penguins. Last season, Kirkpatrick posted a 1.02 goals-against average with 44 saves and two shutouts, while Simon was credited with a shutout and 31 saves.
SCOUTING MARSHALL
Head coach Michael Swan enters his third season at the helm of the Herd. Marshall soccer welcomes 10 newcomers to the squad.
Returning to Huntington includes Kat Gonzalez and Morgan White, each garnered third-team all-Conference USA honors last season, along with Meg Jarvis, who was named to the conference's all-freshman team.
Jarvis and Gonzalez were the team's leading goal scorers last season with five each.
White finished tied with Courtney Corcoran with for the team lead in assists with two.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Youngstown State will meet for the 10th time in program history with the Zips leading the series 8-0-1. Last season, Akron bested YSU with a 3-2 victory.
The Zips will square off against Marshall for the ninth time in program with Akron owning a 3-3-2 all-time series lead. Last season the two teams met with Marshall coming away with a 2-0 win.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Akron has instituted new clear bag policy where approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed a size of 12 inches wide by 12 inches high and 6 inches deep. Other approved bags include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar), medical bags and small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.
Prohibited bags include backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, fanny packs, large-printed bags, mesh bags, purses and tinted plastic bags.
We want all fans to have an enjoyable experience while on campus at the University of Akron and the safety of all fans is of utmost importance to us. We look forward to seeing everyone at an Akron Zips athletic event this year.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased now by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
About Zips Athletics
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200 degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
Follow women's soccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
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