The University of Akron Athletics

Women’s Soccer Hosts Niagara on Thursday
September 07 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio- The Akron women's soccer team (1-0-2) will host Niagara on Thursday, Sept. 8 at FirstEnergy Stadium at 7 p.m.
GAME INFO
SCOUTING AKRON
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 freshmen 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.).
The Zips were last in action last Friday as Akron traveled to Richmond, Ky. to face Eastern Kentucky. The match was declared a "no-contest" due to weather conditions. The match was declared a no-contest since play had not reached the 70-minute threshold needed to decide a contest in accordance with NCAA soccer rules.
On the season, King leads the team with two goals on six shots while Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton) and Pentz each hold a goal. Bruni has the team's only assist.
Goalkeepers Carlitz and Cuirinier each have six saves with Cuirinier making two starts and facing 29 shots, while Carlitz has made one start and faced 21 shots.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
The Purple Eagles stand 2-3 overall after falling to Cleveland State 3-2 on Sunday. Transfers Amanda Cripps and Claudia Cuicani scored the goals for Niagara late in the second half of play. Cripps now has a goal in each of the last three games, and is pacing the squad with three tallies on the season while also leading the team with seven points, while Ibey registered the assist on Cripps' goal, giving her a team-high two on the year.
In goal, Felicia Grufman has made four stats and has registered eight saves on 27 shots faced.
SERIES HISTORY
The Zips will square off against Niagara for the seventh time in program with Akron owning a 1-4-1 all-time series record. The two teams met last season with Akron coming up short at Niagara, 2-1.
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. Niagara | Sept. 8 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Buy Tickets
SCOUTING AKRON
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 freshmen 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.).
The Zips were last in action last Friday as Akron traveled to Richmond, Ky. to face Eastern Kentucky. The match was declared a "no-contest" due to weather conditions. The match was declared a no-contest since play had not reached the 70-minute threshold needed to decide a contest in accordance with NCAA soccer rules.
On the season, King leads the team with two goals on six shots while Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton) and Pentz each hold a goal. Bruni has the team's only assist.
Goalkeepers Carlitz and Cuirinier each have six saves with Cuirinier making two starts and facing 29 shots, while Carlitz has made one start and faced 21 shots.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
The Purple Eagles stand 2-3 overall after falling to Cleveland State 3-2 on Sunday. Transfers Amanda Cripps and Claudia Cuicani scored the goals for Niagara late in the second half of play. Cripps now has a goal in each of the last three games, and is pacing the squad with three tallies on the season while also leading the team with seven points, while Ibey registered the assist on Cripps' goal, giving her a team-high two on the year.
In goal, Felicia Grufman has made four stats and has registered eight saves on 27 shots faced.
SERIES HISTORY
The Zips will square off against Niagara for the seventh time in program with Akron owning a 1-4-1 all-time series record. The two teams met last season with Akron coming up short at Niagara, 2-1.
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
Players Mentioned
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Toledo - 10/29/25
Wednesday, October 29
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference at Bowling Green - 10/26/25
Monday, October 27
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan - 10/23/25
Saturday, October 25
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Central Michigan - 10/9/25
Friday, October 10



















