Akron Hosts Ball State

Thursday, October 12

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Ball State

October 11 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team returns home to FirstEnergy Stadium to host Ball State in a 7 p.m. tilt on Thursday (Oct. 12).

GAME INFO
Akron vs. Ball State | Oct. 12 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+

PARKING UPDATE
Akron fans are strongly encouraged to park in Lot 1 (Parking Garage) at the corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets off Route 8 for all Akron fall home sporting events due to construction on Exchange Street in Akron. Please allow extra time getting to campus.

HEAD COACHES
Ball State: Josh Rife (Indiana), Overall Record: 40-27-13 (Fifth Season), Record at Ball State: 40-27-13 (Fifth Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 47-59-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 5-20-4 (Second Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips come into their match against Ball State on Thursday (Oct. 12) at 2-11 on the campaign, including 0-6 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 3-0 setback at Toledo on Oct. 8.

Sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owns a team-high totals in goals (3), points (6), shots (16), shots on goal (8) and game-winners (1). Additionally, junior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio) is tied for the team lead in shots (16) and shots on goal (8), while juniors Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) have each recorded a pair of goals for the Zips. Juniors Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton, Ohio), Hadley and Laurie-Anne Renaud (Quebec City, Quebec) along with freshman Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) have each tallied an assist. Freshman Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) has pulled in 46 saves for Akron.

The Zips under the leadership of second-year head coach Jen Simonetti return 10 starters in 2023, including 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, Hadley and King, who garnered Second-Team All-MAC and MAC All-Freshman Team accolades. Additionally, a quartet of team captains in senior Bailee Bowers (Dublin, Ohio) and juniors Clara Knoepke (Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany), Pentz and Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) lead the Zips.

The Zips boast 13 newcomers to the squad in Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio), Kiana Harsh (Waterville, Ohio), Olivia Heskett (Lewis Center, Ohio), Lucia Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio), Sophie Kirsten (South Elgin, Ill.), Abby Koly (Avon, Ohio), Hannah Langstaff (Washington, Ill.), Jordanne Oberhaus (Wadsworth, Ohio), Kylie Schiemann (Geneva, Ohio), Anna Simmons (Manassas, Va.), Karlie Sugar (Medina, Ohio), Emalee Szablewski (Lancaster, N.Y.) and Wenzel.

SCOUTING BALL STATE
Ball State comes into action versus Akron with a 6-5-2 mark this season, including a 4-0-2 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 5-0 victory at Buffalo on Oct. 8.

The Cardinals are led by senior Avery Fenchel, who owns team-high marks in goals (8) and game-winners (3), while junior Lexi Fraley paces the squad in shots (43) and shots on goal (21). Junior GK Bethany Moser has pulled in 56 saves en route to posting a 1.60 team goals against average and two shutouts.

SERIES HISTORY
The Zips will square off against Ball State for the 22nd time in program history with the Cardinals leading the all-time series 13-2-6. A year ago, the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw on Oct. 13, 2022 in Muncie, Ind.

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.).