The University of Akron Athletics
Sunday, September 24
Kent, Ohio
1:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Kent State
Akron Women's Soccer Faces Rivalry Showdown at Kent State
September 23 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team renews its rivalry with Kent State as the Zips battle the Golden Flashes on Sunday (Sept. 24) in a 1 p.m. tilt at Dix Stadium.
GAME INFO
Akron at Kent State | Sept. 24 | 1 PM | Dix Stadium | Live Stats | BoxCast TV
HEAD COACHES
Kent State: Rob Marinaro (Clemson, 1992), Overall Record: 204-167-54 (23rd Season), Record at Kent State: 204-167-54 (10th Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 47-54-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 5-15-4 (Second Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips enter their showdown at Kent State on Sunday (Sept. 24) at 2-6 on the campaign, including 0-1 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 2-0 setback versus Buffalo on Sept. 21.
Sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owns a team-high totals in goals (2), points (4), shots (13), shots on goal (7) and game-winners (1). Additionally, 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 27 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 KENT STATE
Kent State comes into action against with Akron with a 4-2-2 mark this season, including a 1-0-0 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 1-0 victory at Ohio on Sept. 21.
The Golden Flashes are led by junior Alisa Arthur, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (6), shots (24), shots on goal (12) and game-winners (2). Senior GK Sarah Melen has pulled in 30 saves en route to posting a 1.03 team goals against average and a pair of shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Kent State will square off for the 23rd time with the Golden Flashes leading the all-time series, 18-4-0. A season ago, Kent State posted a 2-0 triumph over the Zips on Sept. 25, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
GAME INFO
Akron at Kent State | Sept. 24 | 1 PM | Dix Stadium | Live Stats | BoxCast TV
HEAD COACHES
Kent State: Rob Marinaro (Clemson, 1992), Overall Record: 204-167-54 (23rd Season), Record at Kent State: 204-167-54 (10th Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 47-54-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 5-15-4 (Second Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips enter their showdown at Kent State on Sunday (Sept. 24) at 2-6 on the campaign, including 0-1 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 2-0 setback versus Buffalo on Sept. 21.
Sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owns a team-high totals in goals (2), points (4), shots (13), shots on goal (7) and game-winners (1). Additionally, 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 27 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 KENT STATE
Kent State comes into action against with Akron with a 4-2-2 mark this season, including a 1-0-0 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 1-0 victory at Ohio on Sept. 21.
The Golden Flashes are led by junior Alisa Arthur, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (6), shots (24), shots on goal (12) and game-winners (2). Senior GK Sarah Melen has pulled in 30 saves en route to posting a 1.03 team goals against average and a pair of shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Kent State will square off for the 23rd time with the Golden Flashes leading the all-time series, 18-4-0. A season ago, Kent State posted a 2-0 triumph over the Zips on Sept. 25, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Players Mentioned
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