Akron Hosts Northern Illinois

Sunday, October 1

Akron, Ohio

1:00 PM

University of Akron

Northern Illinois

September 30 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team returns to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. matinee affair versus Northern Illinois on Sunday (Oct. 1).

GAME INFO
Akron vs. Northern Illinois | Oct. 1 | 1 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
Northern Illinois: Michael O'Neill (Tiffin), Overall Record: 85-65-20 (10th Season), Record at Northern Illinois: 8-13-7 (Second Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 47-56-13 (Eighth Season), Record at Akron: 5-17-4 (Second Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips enter their match versus Northern Illinois on Sunday (Oct. 1) at 2-8 on the campaign, including 0-3 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 1-0 setback at Bowling Green on Sept. 28.

Sophomore Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owns a team-high totals in goals (3), points (6), shots (15), shots on goal (8) and game-winners (1). Additionally, juniors Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) have each recorded a pair of goals for the Zips. Juniors Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton, Ohio), Ella Hadley (Concord, 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 38 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, Hadley 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.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois enters play against with Akron with a 2-5-3 mark this season, including a 0-2-1 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 3-1 loss at Ohio on Sept. 28.

The Huskies are led by freshman Isabel Struble, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (4) and game-winners (2), while sophomore Amber Best leads the squad in shots (18) and shots on goal (9). Redshirt senior GK Sadie McGill has pulled in 28 saves en route to posting a 1.23 team goals against average and three shutouts.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 22nd time in program history with the all-time series even at 9-9-3. A season ago, the Zips earned a 3-1 road victory on Oct. 19, 2022 in DeKalb, Ill.

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.).