Akron Opens MAC Play Hosting Buffalo

Thursday, September 21

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Buffalo

September 20 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team is set to open Mid-American Conference play welcoming Buffalo to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. tilt on Thursday (Sept. 21).

GAME INFO
Akron vs. Buffalo | Sept. 21 | 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. For fans traveling using Route 8 North to campus please be advised that the Carroll Street exit off Route 8 is temporarily closed and to please allow extra time getting to campus.

HEAD COACHES
Buffalo: Shawn Burke (Mercyhurst, 2002), Overall Record: 98-51-28 (10th Season), Record at Buffalo: 98-51-28 (10th Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 47-52-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 5-13-4 (Second Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips enter their conference opener versus Buffalo on Thursday (Sept. 21) at 2-5 on the campaign following a 1-0 victory at Niagara on Sept. 14.

Sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owns team-high totals in goals (2), points (4), shots (13), shots on goal (7) and game-winners (1), while juniors Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) are tied with King for the team lead in goals (2) and points (4). 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 24 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 (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.

AKRON DUO SWEEPS WEEKLY MAC HONORS
Emma King and GK Sara Bower were honored by the Mid-American Conference as its Women's Soccer Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, the league announced on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

King led the Zips to a 1-0 victory at Niagara on Sept. 14 connecting on a goal in the 71st minute, her team-leading second of the season. She finished the contest with two shots, both on frame. On the season, she owns team-best marks in goals (2), points (4), shots (13), shots on goal (7) and game-winners (1).

Bower turned in a stellar week for the Zips, pulling in five saves at Niagara en route to registering her first career shutout on the strength of the five saves. On the season, she has tallied 24 saves and owns a .667 save percentage.

SCOUTING BUFFALO
Buffalo comes into action against with Akron with a 3-1-3 mark this season following a 1-1 draw at Connecticut on Sept. 16.

The Bulls are led by sophomore Katie Krohn, who owns team-high marks in goals (4), assists (2), points (10), shots (18) and game-winners (1), while ranking second in shots on goal (6). Freshman GK Lexie Thompson has pulled in 16 saves en route to posting a 0.83 team goals against average and a pair of shutouts.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Buffalo are meeting for the 24th time in program history with the Bulls owning a 11-9-3 series advantage. A year ago, Buffalo registered a 3-0 victory over the Zips on Sept. 22, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y.

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.).