Akron Women Fall to FIU

AKRON, OH - August 27, 2011 - The University of Akron women’s soccer team was handed its first loss of the 2011 season on Saturday, dropping a 1-0 decision to Florida International in Miami. 

Kelly DeNiro registered three shots – one on target – to lead Akron (1-1-0). Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Alex Luevano-Harden recorded six saves.

“We did not provide a good enough effort until the final 20 minutes of the match,” coach Chris Pfau said. “We need to remember this game going forward and must play with maximum effort for the entirety of the match.”

UA surrendered the match’s only goal just before halftime when Kim Lopez scored on free kick in the 43rd minute.

Akron will take on Michigan State next Sunday (Sept. 4) in its first home match of the season. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

Akron Women Picked to Finish Second in the MAC East in Preseason Poll 

AKRON, OH - August 15, 2011 - The University of Akron women’s soccer team has been selected to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division in the 2011 Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Monday.

The Zips collected 56 points in the voting – trailing Miami’s 68 points. Kent State (43), Ohio (40), Bowling Green (31) and Buffalo (14) rounded out the East Division. Toledo was selected as the favorite in the MAC West as well as the favorite to win the 2011 MAC Tournament.

Akron, 9-0-1 in MAC East play during the last two seasons, won the division in 2009 and finished just a point back of Miami in the 2010 standings. Coach Chris Pfau return nine starters from the 2010 side including leading scorer Rachel Phillip; fifth-year senior midfielder Jordan Clark; defenders Liz Cloutier and Kara Cooper; MAC All-Freshman Team selection Kelly DeNiro; and goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert.

The Zips open up the season with road tests at Michigan (Aug. 19) and Florida International (Aug. 27) before their home opener against Michigan State on Sept. 4 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

Women's soccer season tickets (all general admission) are on sale now for $40. Tickets can be purchased through the Akron Athletics Ticket Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting the ticket window at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).

Dominant Preseason Performance from Akron Women

AKRON, OH - August 7, 2011 - The University of Akron women’s soccer team shutout Cleveland State, 4-0, on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field in its first exhibition game of the 2011 season. The game was played as three 30-minute periods.

Junior Ashley Hughes led the way with a pair of third period goals, while junior Katie Wise and freshman Karina Atkinson also scored for the Zips. Senior Jeny Wolbert and redshirt freshman Alex Luevano-Harden combined to record the clean sheet.

Wise started the scoring in the 17th minute when senior Rachel Phillip found her one-on-one with the CSU keeper Sarah Wood with a low cross from the left side. Wise dribbled around Wood and slid home the game’s opening score.

After a scoreless second stanza, Hughes scored the first of her two tallies nine minutes into period three. Sophomore Amber Kern sent a through ball to the end of a perfectly timed Hughes’ run down the left center of the penalty area. Hughes then provided the finish with a slotted shot from 10 yards out to the left of netminder Abby Crotteau.

Hughes was at it again in the 82nd minute of play, this time teaming up with senior Jordan Clark to produce the third Akron score. Clark found Hughes in space 14 yards out from the middle of the net with a short pass and Hughes sent a shot to the right of Crotteau and into the back of the net.

The Zips found the exclamation point with less than three minutes to play when Atkinson showed tenacity in the box to put Akron ahead 4-0. Atkinson took a cross from fellow freshman Carli Pimm, and despite falling down, was able to regain her footing and strike a shot off the tips of Crotteau’s mitts and into the side netting for her first goal of the preseason.

Akron will continue training camp this week before traveling to Duquesne for the final preseason match on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.