Akron Women's Soccer Set to Open 2024 Campaign at Iona

Thursday, August 15

New Rochelle, N.Y.

2:00 PM

University of Akron

Iona

Akron Women's Soccer Set to Open 2024 Campaign at Iona

August 14 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team is set to commence its 24th intercollegiate campaign traveling to Iona for a 2 p.m. match on Thursday (Aug. 15) in New Rochelle, N.Y.

GAME INFO
Akron at Iona | Aug. 15 | 2 PM | New Rochelle, N.Y. | Live Stats | Live Video

HEAD COACHES
Iona: Todd Plourde (Quinnipiac, 2004), Overall Record: 28-45-10 (Sixth Season), Record at Iona: 28-45-10 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 48-62-14 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 6-23-5 (Third Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips open their 2024 season on Thursday (Aug. 15) at Iona before traveling to face Eastern Illinois on Sunday (Aug. 18).

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

A year ago, Pentz led the Zips in goals (4) and points (8), while junior Emma King (Akron, Ohio) owned a team-high totals in shots (29), shots on goal (15) and game-winners (1). Additionally, King, senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio) and Stafford recorded three, two and two goals, respectively for the Zips. Hadley tallied a team-best two assists on the campaign. Sophomore Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) pulled in 65 saves for Akron.

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), 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).

AKRON NOTES
• Ella Hadley and Emma King are nearing the top-10 in career scoring as they enter play at Iona with 21 points apiece.
• King needs two goals to enter the top-10 in program history in career goals having amassed nine in her first two campaigns.
• Redshirt junior GK Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) is ranked fifth, seventh, seventh and seventh, respectively, in the Akron women's soccer record book in career shutouts, saves, goals against average and wins.
• Morgan Pentz led the Zips with a pair of multi-goal games a season ago tallying a pair of tallies at Cleveland State and Eastern Michigan.

SCOUTING IONA
Iona comes into action versus Akron following a 1-15-3 mark a season ago, including a 0-7-3 record in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

The Gaels were led by Sofia Giamanco, who owned team-high marks in goals (3), and points (6), while Samantha Hogan paced the squad in shots (33) and shots on goal (13). Sophomore GK Savannah Rogers returns in net after pulling in 99 saves en route to posting a 2.03 team goals against average and one shutout.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Iona are meeting for first time in program history.

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Charleston, Ill., for battle Eastern Illinois in a 2 p.m. ET tilt on Sunday (Aug. 18).