Akron Women's Soccer Set to Open 2023 Campaign

Friday, August 18

Cleveland, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Cleveland State

August 17 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team is set to kick off its 2023 campaign with a pair on non-conference showdowns this weekend. The Zips will travel up I-77 to square off against Cleveland State on Friday (Aug. 18) at 7 p.m. before hitting the pitch at Youngstown State on Sunday (Aug. 20) at 1 p.m.

*Akron's game at Cleveland State has been moved from Thursday (Aug. 17) at 7 p.m. to Friday (Aug. 18) at the same time

GAME INFO
Akron at Cleveland State | Aug. 18 | 7 PM | Krenzler Field | Live Stats | No Live Video
Akron at Youngstown State | Aug. 20 | 1 PM | Farmers National Bank Field | Live Stats | Watch

HEAD COACHES
Cleveland State: Dallas Boyer (Miami Univ.), Overall Record: 44-45-1 (Seventh Season), Record at Cleveland State: 44-45-1 (Seventh Season)
Youngstown State: Brian Schrum (California, (Pa.)), Overall Record: 17-52-14 (Sixth Season), Record at Youngstown State: 17-52-14 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 45-48-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 3-9-4 (Second Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips open their 2023 season on Friday (Aug. 18) at Cleveland State before facing Youngstown State on Sunday (Aug. 20).

The Zips under the leadership of second-year head coach Jen Simonetti return 10 starters in 2023, including 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, junior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio) and sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio), 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), Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) return to lead the Zips.

The Zips will be bolstered by the addition of 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 Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio).

SCOUTING CLEVELAND STATE
Cleveland State comes into play against Akron on Friday, Aug. 18, following a 7-6-4 campaign a year ago, including a 4-4-2 mark in the Horizon League.

The Vikings return three Horizon League award winners from 2022 in seniors Rylee Bussen and Kathryn Ramicone along with sophomore Eleanor Simkonis. Cleveland State will be bolstered by the return of sophomore GK Celeste Sloma, who pulled in 35 saves en route to posting a 1.11 team goals against average and three shutouts.

SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Youngstown State enters its season opener on Thursday (Aug. 17) at Saint Francis, following a 9-8-3 record last season, including a 5-3-2 ledger in the Horizon League.

The Penguins will be sparked by the return of All-Horizon League honorees senior Abriana Rondin and sophomore Taylor Berry. Senior GK Brooklyn Kirkpatrick returns in net after recording 99 saves a year ago en route to collecting a 1.00 goals against average and eight shutouts.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Cleveland State are meeting for the 13th time in program history with the Zips leading the all-time series 8-4-0. In 2021, Akron bested the Vikings, 1-0, on Sept. 9, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

This is the 11th meeting between Akron and Youngstown State in a series that dates back to 2001. The Zips own a 9-0-1 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last five contests. A year ago, Akron defeated the Penguins, 1-0, in Akron, Ohio.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Individual and single-game 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.).