Akron Closes Non-Conference Slate at Niagara

Thursday, September 14

Niagara Falls, N.Y.

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Niagara

September 13 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team faces its final non-conference showdown of the season as the Zips travel to Niagara Falls, N.Y., to battle Niagara in a 7 p.m. tilt on Thursday (Sept. 14).

GAME INFO
Akron at Niagara | Sept. 14 | 7 PM | Niagara Field | Live Stats | ESPN+

HEAD COACHES
Niagara: Peter Veltri (Bethany, 1993), Overall Record: 230-210-41 (27th Season), Record at Niagara: 218-191-37 (25th Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 46-52-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 4-13-4 (Second Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips enter their showdown at Niagara on Thursday (Sept. 14) at 1-5 on the campaign following a 2-1 setback at Wright State on Sept. 10.

Juniors Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) leads the Zips in goals (2) and points (4), while sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owns a team-best 11 shots. Juniors Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton, Ohio) 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 19 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, junior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio) 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 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 NIAGARA
Niagara enters its game with Akron on Thursday (Sept. 14) with a 1-6-0 mark this season following a 4-0 loss against Quinnipiac on Sept. 9.

The Purple Eagles are led by senior Emily Hahnel, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (4), shots (10) and game-winners (1), while senior Amanda Cripps paces the team in assists (2). Junior GK Felicia Grufman has pulled in 35 saves en route to posting a 3.27 team goals against average and one shutout.

SERIES HISTORY
The Zips will square off against Niagara for the ninth time in program with the Purple Eagles owning a 6-1-1 all-time series record. The two teams met last season with Akron coming up short versus Niagara, 2-0.