The University of Akron Athletics
Thursday, October 24
Kent, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Kent State
Akron Battles Kent State in Rivalry Showdown
October 23 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team renews its rivalry with Kent State as the Zips visit Dix Stadium for a 7 p.m. showdown on Thursday (Oct. 24).
GAME INFO
Akron at Kent State | Oct. 23 | 7 PM | Kent, Ohio | Live Stats | Live Video
HEAD COACHES
Kent State: Rob Marinaro (Clemson, 1992), Overall Record: 218-177-57 (24th Season), Record at Kent State: 218-177-57 (24th Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 53-68-18 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 11-29-9 (Third Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron comes into play at Kent State at 5-6-4 on the campaign, including 0-6-2 in the MAC following a 2-0 setback at Western Michigan on Friday (Oct. 18).
Sophomore GK Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) pulled in a career-high 16 saves in the contest, the second-most stops in a game in program history.
Senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio), freshman Allie McMillen (Shreve, Ohio) and redshirt senior Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) lead the Zips with two goals apiece this season, while, junior Emma King (Akron, Ohio), redshirt senior Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and sophomores Anna Simmons (Manassas, Va.) and Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) have netted one goal each. Eleven Akron players have recorded an assist on the campaign led by a team-high two from Pentz. Hadley paces the squad in shots (18) and shots on goal (8), while redshirt senior Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) and Bower each own 37 saves, respectively, in net for Akron.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron is in search of its first road victory over the Golden Flashes since a 1-0 triumph on Oct. 25, 2009.
• The Zips are rated second in the Mid-American Conference in saves per game (5.27) and fifth in shutouts (0.40).
• Sara Bower and Penelope Cuirinier lead the MAC in combined shutouts (4), while ranking second and 10th, respectively, in saves per game at 4.50 and 2.86 per contest. Additionally, Bower is rated second in save percentage (.857) and eighth in goals against average (1.11), while Cuirinier is fourth in goals against average (0.83) and fifth in save percentage (.826). In league-only affairs, Cuirinier is ninth, ninth and 10th, respectively, in goals against average (1.31), save percentage (.750) and saves per game (3.00), while Bower is rated leads the MAC in saves per game (6.50) and sixth in save percentage (.813).
• Akron is ranked 23rd in the NCAA in save percentage (.849).
• Seven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including one newcomer.
• Twenty-two Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
• Nine Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• Penelope Cuirinier collected her 175th career save against Cleveland State (Sept. 12) and enters play versus Kent State with 199 career saves.
• The Zips recorded the squad's initial seven-game unbeaten streak since 2007 this season. The unbeaten streak matched the longest in program history set during both the 2006 and 2007 campaigns.
• Akron has matched its 2006 squad as the only Zips' teams to post an unbeaten record in non-conference play.
• Akron posted the second most shutouts in a non-conference campaign in school history, trailing only the 2006 squad that registered six straight to open the 2006 season.
• Akron posted five consecutive shutouts for the first time since the 2009 campaign.
• The four 1-0 clean sheet victories this season represent the second-highest total in program history matching identical marks in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The 2006 Akron team holds the top mark with six 1-0 wins.
• The six shutouts by the Zips are the most for Akron in a season since posting seven in the 2011 campaign.
• The Zips posted shutouts in five consecutive contests and did not surrender a goal in more than 606 minutes (606:05).
• Akron's victory over Oakland (Aug. 22) marked the 50th career coaching victory for head coach Jen Simonetti.
• Ella Hadley enters play versus Kent State ranked ninth in career scoring at Akron with 26 points, while Emma King is nearing the top 10 in career scoring with 24 points.
• King needs one goal to enter the top 10 in program history in career goals having amassed 10 in her four seasons.
• Cuirinier is ranked third, third, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Akron women's soccer record book in career saves, shutouts, wins and goals against average.
• Katie Stafford was selected as the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 15.
• Penelope Cuirinier was tabbed by the MAC as its Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Sept. 17.
SCOUTING KENT STATE
Kent State enters its showdown with Akron at 6-5-3 on the campaign, including 3-3-2 in the Mid-American Conference following a 2-2 draw at Buffalo on Oct. 17.
Directing the Golden Flashes' offensive attack is senior Alisa Arthur, who paces the team in goals (7), points (15), shots (42) and shots on goal (21). Senior GK Heidi Marshall has pulled in 39 saves on the campaign and owns a 1.57 goals against average with four shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Kent State are meeting for 25th time in program history with the Golden Flashes leading the series by a 20-4-0 margin. Kent State edged the Zips, 2-1, on Sept. 24, 2023.
UP NEXT
Akron welcomes Bowling Green to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. match on Sunday (Oct. 27).
AKRON ATHLETICS NOW CASHLESS
The University of Akron Athletics Department announced its transition to cashless payments for all ticketing, concessions, and merchandise purchases at all Akron athletic venues, concession stands, and gear shops, beginning with the start of the 2024-25 sports seasons. For more information click here.
GAME INFO
Akron at Kent State | Oct. 23 | 7 PM | Kent, Ohio | Live Stats | Live Video
HEAD COACHES
Kent State: Rob Marinaro (Clemson, 1992), Overall Record: 218-177-57 (24th Season), Record at Kent State: 218-177-57 (24th Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 53-68-18 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 11-29-9 (Third Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron comes into play at Kent State at 5-6-4 on the campaign, including 0-6-2 in the MAC following a 2-0 setback at Western Michigan on Friday (Oct. 18).
Sophomore GK Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) pulled in a career-high 16 saves in the contest, the second-most stops in a game in program history.
Senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio), freshman Allie McMillen (Shreve, Ohio) and redshirt senior Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) lead the Zips with two goals apiece this season, while, junior Emma King (Akron, Ohio), redshirt senior Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and sophomores Anna Simmons (Manassas, Va.) and Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) have netted one goal each. Eleven Akron players have recorded an assist on the campaign led by a team-high two from Pentz. Hadley paces the squad in shots (18) and shots on goal (8), while redshirt senior Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) and Bower each own 37 saves, respectively, in net for Akron.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron is in search of its first road victory over the Golden Flashes since a 1-0 triumph on Oct. 25, 2009.
• The Zips are rated second in the Mid-American Conference in saves per game (5.27) and fifth in shutouts (0.40).
• Sara Bower and Penelope Cuirinier lead the MAC in combined shutouts (4), while ranking second and 10th, respectively, in saves per game at 4.50 and 2.86 per contest. Additionally, Bower is rated second in save percentage (.857) and eighth in goals against average (1.11), while Cuirinier is fourth in goals against average (0.83) and fifth in save percentage (.826). In league-only affairs, Cuirinier is ninth, ninth and 10th, respectively, in goals against average (1.31), save percentage (.750) and saves per game (3.00), while Bower is rated leads the MAC in saves per game (6.50) and sixth in save percentage (.813).
• Akron is ranked 23rd in the NCAA in save percentage (.849).
• Seven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including one newcomer.
• Twenty-two Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
• Nine Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• Penelope Cuirinier collected her 175th career save against Cleveland State (Sept. 12) and enters play versus Kent State with 199 career saves.
• The Zips recorded the squad's initial seven-game unbeaten streak since 2007 this season. The unbeaten streak matched the longest in program history set during both the 2006 and 2007 campaigns.
• Akron has matched its 2006 squad as the only Zips' teams to post an unbeaten record in non-conference play.
• Akron posted the second most shutouts in a non-conference campaign in school history, trailing only the 2006 squad that registered six straight to open the 2006 season.
• Akron posted five consecutive shutouts for the first time since the 2009 campaign.
• The four 1-0 clean sheet victories this season represent the second-highest total in program history matching identical marks in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The 2006 Akron team holds the top mark with six 1-0 wins.
• The six shutouts by the Zips are the most for Akron in a season since posting seven in the 2011 campaign.
• The Zips posted shutouts in five consecutive contests and did not surrender a goal in more than 606 minutes (606:05).
• Akron's victory over Oakland (Aug. 22) marked the 50th career coaching victory for head coach Jen Simonetti.
• Ella Hadley enters play versus Kent State ranked ninth in career scoring at Akron with 26 points, while Emma King is nearing the top 10 in career scoring with 24 points.
• King needs one goal to enter the top 10 in program history in career goals having amassed 10 in her four seasons.
• Cuirinier is ranked third, third, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Akron women's soccer record book in career saves, shutouts, wins and goals against average.
• Katie Stafford was selected as the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 15.
• Penelope Cuirinier was tabbed by the MAC as its Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Sept. 17.
SCOUTING KENT STATE
Kent State enters its showdown with Akron at 6-5-3 on the campaign, including 3-3-2 in the Mid-American Conference following a 2-2 draw at Buffalo on Oct. 17.
Directing the Golden Flashes' offensive attack is senior Alisa Arthur, who paces the team in goals (7), points (15), shots (42) and shots on goal (21). Senior GK Heidi Marshall has pulled in 39 saves on the campaign and owns a 1.57 goals against average with four shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Kent State are meeting for 25th time in program history with the Golden Flashes leading the series by a 20-4-0 margin. Kent State edged the Zips, 2-1, on Sept. 24, 2023.
UP NEXT
Akron welcomes Bowling Green to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. match on Sunday (Oct. 27).
AKRON ATHLETICS NOW CASHLESS
The University of Akron Athletics Department announced its transition to cashless payments for all ticketing, concessions, and merchandise purchases at all Akron athletic venues, concession stands, and gear shops, beginning with the start of the 2024-25 sports seasons. For more information click here.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
GK
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F
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