The University of Akron (5-11-3, 2-4-1) wrapped up the 2013 season on a rain-drenched Thursday afternoon with a 2-1 loss to Mid-American Conference opponent the University at Buffalo (6-9-3, 3-7-1) at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

The Bulls struck first on the scoreboard with a goal at the 3:57 mark by Karen McMahon to give UB a 1-0 advantage early into the first.

Despite the early goal, junior Lani Smith scored the match-tying goal in the ninth minute. Smith finished the season with nine goals and two assists to give her a total of 20 points this season. Her 20-point season ranks tied for third in program history for points in a season, while her nine goals ties the single season record for Akron women’s soccer.

Buffalo fought back quickly to attain their second lead of the afternoon. Kristin Markiewicz netted an unassisted goal from the top of the box at the 12:29 mark, which would bring the match to its final score of 2-1.

Goalkeeper Alex Luevano-Harden started the match, and saw her record fall to 1-7-0 in the decision. She also recorded a pair of saves in the contest.

The Zips defense had a strong performance on Sunday in spite of the goals scored by the Bulls. UA held Buffalo to two shots in the second half and just one corner kick overall in the match. Defenders Katie George, Gillian Gross, Brianna Kanz and Maggie Rusnak remained on the pitch for the duration of the match.

Akron finished the season with 21 goals and 17 assists, good for a total of 59 points in 2013.

The University of Akron (5-10-3, 2-7-1 MAC) women’s soccer team was dropped by a score of 4-1 on Sunday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference matchup with Eastern Michigan University (10-6-2, 7-2-1 MAC) at Scicluna Field.

The Zips offense struck first in the match against EMU, as junior Lani Smith netted a goal at the 2:37 mark to put Akron up 1-0. Smith’s goal increased her team-leading total to eight goals on Sunday.

EMU equalized the match with a goal in the 24^th minute, which gave the match a 1-all tie heading into the half. Junior goalkeeper Alex Luevano-Harden allowed one goal in the first half with three saves.

Eastern Michigan began to pull away early in the second half with goals at the 45^th, 53^rdand 59^th minute. Sophomore Klaire Adee allowed three goals during the half, while also accruing three saves in the second half. Adee’s record dropped to 4-4-3 with the loss.

Overall, Akron produced 12 shots, three on goal, in the loss to Eastern Michigan. Senior Kelly DeNiro and Smith led the squad with four shots a piece. Smith also had a shot on goal in the contest.

Akron will look ahead to the final home regular season match of the season on Oct. 31 against Buffalo at 4 p.m.

The University of Akron (5-9-3, 2-6-1 MAC) women’s soccer team fell to Western Michigan University (8-4-4, 6-1-2 MAC) by a score of 3-0 in a Mid-American Conference matchup on Friday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.

The Western Michigan offense came out in strong form on Friday, as the team scored a pair of goals in the first half on starting goalkeeper Alex Luevano-Harden.

Despite the pair of goals, Luevano-Harden was able to deflect six shots in 45 minutes in goal. A total of 17 shots came her way in the first half.

The Broncos scored their final goal of the match early into the second half at the 46:05 mark. Sophomore Klaire Adee took over in goal for the second half, and picked up three saves in her 45 minutes at goal.

The Zips defense had much more success in the second half, as opposed to the first. UA held WMU to two shots on goal and just one corner kick in the second half.

Overall, Akron posted eight shots – five on frame – in the loss on Friday. Senior Kelly DeNiro led the pack with three shots and two shots on goal. Katie George, Amber Kern, Lani Smith, and Sarah Sivic each recorded a shot on goal.

UA will look ahead to another MAC opponent on Sunday in Eastern Michigan University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

A pair of second half goals pushed the University of Akron (5-8-3, 2-5-1 MAC) women’s soccer to a 2-1 victory over Bowling Green State University (0-13-1, 0-7-1 MAC) in a Mid-American Conference matchup on Sunday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

Bowling Green registered the lone goal of the first half in the 21^st minute off the foot of Madeline Wideman, to put the Falcons up 1-0 with less than 25 remaining in the half.

Junior Alex Luevano-Harden made the start in goal for the Zips, and registered three saves in her 45 minutes at goalie. She has tallied 36 saves this season.

The second half continued with strong defense on both sides, until Amber Kern scored the Zips first goal of the match to tie the game at 1-all. Kern’s goal came on a penalty kick at the 62:33 mark, and was her first of 2013.

The match remained at the 1-all score heading into the final 10 minutes of the second half. On a breakaway from the Falcons’ defenders, junior Lani Smith scored the game-winning goal in the 85^thminute, which brought the match to its final score of 2-1.

Sophomore goalie Klaire Adee, who came into goal in the second half, was credited with the win on Sunday to improve her season record to 4-3-3. Adee picked up one save in 45 minutes at goalkeeper.

Overall, the Zips offense collected 15 shots, six on goal. Sydney Blomquist led the Akron attack with four shots and two shots on goal in 62 minutes played. Freshman Sarah Sivic posted the second highest shot total with three and one shot on goal.

Akron women’s soccer will look ahead to two away MAC matches next week, beginning with Western Michigan on Friday at 3 p.m. The Zips will wrap up the road swing on Sunday at Eastern Michigan.

The University of Akron (4-8-3, 1-5-1 MAC) women’s soccer team fell to Mid-American Conference opponent Central Michigan University (5-9-1, 5-2-0 MAC) by a score of 2-0 on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

Akron and Central Michigan both played strong defense through the first half, as the match was a no-score tie through the first 45 minutes in goal.

Junior Alex Luevano-Harden started in goal for the Zips, and picked up a pair of saves in her first 45 minutes as Akron’s goalkeeper.

However, CMU’s offense came out in strong form for the second half. The Chippewas took a 1-0 lead in the 49^th minute on a goal by Laura Gosse. Minutes later, Central Michigan netted their second goal of the match to give the match its final score of 2-0.

Luevano-Harden was handed the loss on Friday to drop her record to 1-5-0 overall in goal for UA. She finished the match with two saves.

Overall, the Zips registered seven shots on the evening, three on goal. Senior midfielder Kelly DeNiro tallied the most shots for Akron with three total shots and two shots on goal. Sophomore defender Katie George recorded Akron’s third shot on goal late in the match.

Akron will look ahead to Sunday’s MAC matchup against Bowling Green. The match is slated to begin at noon on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.