Akron Lacrosse Opens MAC Play at Rival Kent State

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AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron lacrosse team is set to commence its Mid-American Conference slate on Saturday, April 1, as the Zips battle rival Kent State in a 1 p.m. Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge tilt at Dix Stadium.

CRYSTAL CLINIC ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER WAGON WHEEL CHALLENGE:
Akron battles Kent State as part of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge during its match on Saturday, April 1. The 14-sport rivalry series between Akron and Kent State 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. The Golden Flashes lead the current series this year, 8.5-0.5, through 15 events.

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

SCOUTING AKRON:
Akron enters league play versus Kent State at 1-8 on the campaign following a setback at Radford on March 25. Senior Alexis Kiefer (West Chicago, Ill.) and sophomore Jaelyn Clinkscales (Rochester, N.Y.), who have posted 52 and 29 shots, respectively, headline Akron's offensive efforts this season. Kiefer, Clinkscales and senior Kaija Kunttu (Zionsville, Ind.), have recorded a team-high 21, 13 and eight goals, respectively, while Kiefer has registered team-best marks in goals (21), points (24), shots (52), shots on goal (43), draw controls (48), ground balls (18) and caused turnovers (10). Freshman GK Kylan Rhude (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) and sophomore GK Hannah Sanders (Massillon, Ohio) have combined to record 83 saves for Akron.

Kiefer is rated second in the MAC in draw controls per outing (5.33), fifth in goals per game (2.33), sixth in shots per outing (5.78) and in caused turnovers (1.11), eighth in ground balls per game (2.00) and ninth in points per contest (2.67).

Additionally, Rhude is second in goals against average (10.97), fifth in save percentage (.432) and ninth in saves per game (5.13). Sanders is sixth in ground balls per tilt (2.25), seventh in goals against average (14.15) and eighth in saves per game (5.25) and in save percentage (.404).

SCOUTING KENT STATE:
Akron is squaring off against Kent State for the fifth time in program history. The Golden Flashes are 3-6 on the campaign following a 18-13 setback versus Lindenwood on March 19. Kenze Sklar directs the Kent State offensive attack with team-high marks in goals (29), shots (72) and shots on goal (54), while ranking second in points (33). Zayda Crumpton paces the squad in draw controls (29) and ground balls (21). Goalkeeper Madison Flannigan has collected 84 saves on the campaign for the Golden Flashes. Kent State is led by fifth-year head coach Brianne Tierney, who owns a 16-49 ledger as a head coach for the Golden Flashes and is 39-74 in eight overall campaigns as a head coach.

IN OUR LAST MEETING WITH KENT STATE (APRIL 2, 2023 - KENT, OHIO):
In a rivalry battle showdown between Akron and Kent State it was only fitting that the outcome came down to the final minute with the Golden Flashes securing the game-winning tally with 15 seconds remaining to earn a 10-9 triumph on April 2, 2022 at Dix Stadium in Kent, Ohio.

Full match recap (click here)

ZIPS IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS:
Alexis Kiefer is ranked 35th in the NCAA in draw controls per tilt (5.33).

As a team, Akron ranked 22nd in the NCAA in ground balls per contest (18.11) and 42nd in draw control percentage (.526).

Junior Noelle Boyd (Murrysville, Pa.) is rated 32nd among active career leaders in Division I in draw controls per game (4.44), while Kiefer is 42nd in ground balls (95) and senior Julia Frombach (Avon, Ohio) is ranked 31st and 49th, respectively, in caused turnovers and caused turnovers per contest (1.44).

UP NEXT:
Akron hosts Youngstown State in a 5 p.m. tilt on Wednesday, April 5 at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field.

Akron Lacrosse Opens MAC Play at Rival Kent State

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Players Mentioned

Noelle Boyd

Jaelyn Clinkscales

Julia Frombach

Alexis Kiefer

Kaija Kunttu

Kylan Rhude

Hannah Sanders

The University of Akron Athletics