Akron Visits Miami

Thursday, October 10

Oxford, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Miami

Photo by: Tony Davis

October 09 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team returns to the road on Thursday (Oct. 10) as the Zips face a 7 p.m. Mid-American Conference showdown at Miami.

GAME INFO
Akron at Miami | Oct. 10 | 7 PM | Oxford, Ohio | Live Stats | Live Video

HEAD COACHES
Miami: Courtney Sirmans (Dayton, 2008), Overall Record: 41-57-16 (Seventh Season), Record at Miami: 41-57-16 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 53-67-16 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 11-28-7 (Third Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
Akron comes into play at Miami at 5-5-2 on the campaign, including 0-5 in the MAC following a 3-1 setback against Ohio on Sunday (Oct. 6).

The Zips garnered a first-half goal from freshman Allie McMillen (Shreve, Ohio), but were not able overcome Ohio in a 3-1 setback versus the Bobcats. Redshirt junior GK Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) pulled in three saves for Akron.

Senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio), McMillen, junior Emma King (Akron, Ohio), redshirt senior Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and sophomores Anna Simmons (Manassas, Va.) Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) have accounted for the Zips' goals this season having netted two, two, one, one, one and one, respectively. Nine Akron players have recorded an assist on the campaign led by a team-high two from Pentz. Hadley paces the squad in shots (16) and shots on goal (7), while Cuirinier and sophomore GK Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) own 37 and 11 saves, respectively, in net for Akron.

The Zips under the leadership of third-year head coach Jen Simonetti returned nine starters in 2024, including senior team captains Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio) and Pentz.

The Zips boast 11 newcomers to the squad as donning the Akron uniform this fall will be junior Kaylen Goddard (Mechanicsville, Md.), sophomore Kellyn Fausel (New Philadelphia, Ohio), sophomore Shani Sirota (Raanana, Israel), redshirt freshman Nadia Zaborowski (Noblesville, Ind.) and freshmen Kailyn Biecker (Wadsworth, Ohio), Addison Lambert (Galena, Ohio), Allie McMillen (Shreve, Ohio), Kaitlyn Rogowski (Hilliard, Ohio), Elisabeth Rupp (Eden Prairie, Minn.), Eesha Sutharshan (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Ariana Vakos (Avon, Ohio).

EIGHT ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR DAY
The Zips' contest versus Saint Francis on Sept. 15 marked Senior Day for eight Zips as seniors Lacey Bernick (Huntingdon, Pa.), Caitlin Bruni (Canal Fulton, Ohio), Maxima Carlitz (Stolberg, Germany), Quinn Casey (Powell, Ohio), Ella Hadley, Clara Krohn (Akron, Ohio) and Morgan Shansky (Oakdale, Pa.) and Penelope Cuirinier were honored in pregame ceremonies.

AKRON NOTES
• Twenty of the 27 matches between Akron and Miami have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips posting five wins and three draws in those matches.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in five all-time meetings with Miami.
• Seven of the last 10 games between the two schools have resulted in a shutout.
• Penelope Cuirinier is ranked fifth in the Mid-American Conference in save percentage (.822) and in goals against average (0.84) and ninth in saves per match (3.08). Additionally, she is rated eighth in league-only saves per game (3.40) and ninth in goals against average (1.33).
• 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 five shutouts by the Zips are the most for Akron in a season since the 2019 season.
• The Zips posted shutouts in five consecutive contests and did not surrender a goal in more than 606 minutes (606:05).
• Akron is ranked 36th in the NCAA in save percentage (.841).
• Six 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 Miami with 199 career saves.
• Akron's victory over Oakland (Aug. 22) marked the 50th career coaching victory for head coach Jen Simonetti.
• Ella Hadley enters play versus Miami 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.
• Penelope Cuirinier was tabbed by the MAC as its Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Sept. 17.

SCOUTING MIAMI
Miami enters action against Akron at 5-3-4 on the campaign, including 1-2-2 in the Mid-American Conference following a 1-0 loss at Eastern Michigan on Sunday (Oct. 6).

The RedHawks are led by redshirt senior Taylor Hamlett, who paces the team in goals (7), assists (2), points (18), shots (34), shots on goal (14) and game-winners (1). Sophomore GK Dominique Popa has pulled in 41 saves on the campaign and owns a 0.77 goals against average with four shutouts.

Individually, Hamlett is ranked 38th in the NCAA in goals per game (0.64)

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Miami are meeting for 28th time in program history with the RedHawks leading the series by an 15-9-3 margin. Miami bested the Zips, 2-0, on Oct. 22, 2023, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

UP NEXT
Akron hosts Northern Illinois on Sunday (Oct. 13) in a 1 p.m. match at FirstEnergy Stadium.