Akron Hosts Oakland in 2024 Home Opener

Thursday, August 22

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Oakland

Buy Tickets

August 21 | Women's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team is set to open its home campaign welcoming Oakland to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday (Aug. 22).

Tickets for the contest against the Golden Grizzlies are available for purchase at http://www.gozips.com/Tickets. Fans are asked to park in Lots 6, 9 and 10 surrounding InfoCision Stadium and the Stile Athletics Field House. For complete parking information click here.

GAME INFO
Akron vs. Oakland | Aug. 22 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Live Video

HEAD COACHES
Oakland: Devin Zvosec (Rogers State), Overall Record: 0-1-1 (First Season), Record at Oakland: 0-1-1 (First Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 49-62-15 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 7-23-6 (Third Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips extended its unbeaten streak to open the campaign to two on the strength of earning a 1-1 draw at Eastern Illinois on Sunday (Aug. 18). Senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio) collected Akron's goal in the match off an assist from redshirt senior Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio).

Hadley, Pentz and sophomore Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) each own a goal for the Zips this season, while Pentz and sophomore Shani Sirota (Raanana, Israel) have accounted for Akron's assists on the campaign. Hadley paces the squad in shots (6) and shots on goal (3), while redshirt junior GK Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) owns a team-best five saves in net.

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

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, Hadley 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), Sirota, 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 Eastern Illinois with 23 and 21 points, respectively.
• King needs two goals to enter the top-10 in program history in career goals having amassed nine in her three campaigns.
• Cuirinier is ranked fifth, sixth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Akron women's soccer record book in career shutouts, saves, wins and goals against average.
• 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 OAKLAND
Oakland enters action against Akron at 0-1-1 on the campaign following a 1-1 draw versus North Dakota on Monday (Aug. 19).

The Golden Grizzlies are led by junior Frankie Mudd, who paces the team in goals (1), points (2), shots (7) and shots on goal (2). Sophomore GK Julia Zangerl has pulled in three saves en route to posting a 1.33 team goals against average.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Oakland are meeting for second time in program history following the Zips earning a 1-1 road draw versus the Golden Grizzlies on Aug. 25, 2022.

UP NEXT
Akron hosts Wright State at FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. match on Sunday (Aug. 25).

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.