UA Women's Soccer Defeated 4-1 on Sunday by EMU

YPSILANTI, MI - October 27, 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 24th 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 45th, 53rdand 59th 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.

UA Women's Soccer Falls to WMU on Friday

KALAMAZOO, MI - October 25, 2013 - 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.

Akron Women's Soccer Utilizes Late Goal to Drop BGSU, 2-1

AKRON, OH - September 20, 2013 - 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 21st 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 85thminute, 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.

Akron Women's Soccer Drops Friday Match to CMU, 2-0

AKRON, OH - October 18, 2013 - 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 49th 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.

Akron Women's Soccer Falls to Kent State on Sunday, 2-0

KENT, OH - October 13, 2013 - The University of Akron (4-7-3, 1-4-1 MAC) women's soccer team fell to Mid-American Conference rival Kent State University (9-5-0, 4-2-0 MAC) by a score of 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Zoeller Field as a part of the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge.

Strong defense controlled the majority of the match as Akron and Kent State played to a no-score tie through the first 45 minutes. The Zips were held to just two shots in the half, while also collecting four corner kicks.

Junior Alex Luevano-Harden started at goalkeeper for the Zips, and set a season high in total saves in the match. Luevano-Harden made five saves in the first half, and saw a total of 12 shots come her way through the first 45 minutes. 

Madison Kaser recorded the Zips lone shot on goal in the first half, with senior Amber Kern picking up the second Akron shot.

Defense continued into the second half, as Luevano-Harden remained in goal for the second half. However, Kent State's Jessacca Gironda picked up the first goal of the match at the 55:20 mark to take a 1-0 lead. 

Late in the second half, Gironda struck again for the Golden Flashes to put them up 2-0 in the 84th minute. The late goal would bring the match to its final score of 1-0.

Luevano-Harden was handed the loss in Sunday's contest, bringing her record to 1-4-0 in the 2013 campaign. She finished the match with seven saves.

Kaser had a team-leading two shots in the loss to Kent State. Kelly DeNiro, Abby Gindlesberger, Maggie Rusnak, Lani Smith, and Kern spent the duration of the match on the pitch for the Zips. 

Akron will look ahead to two home matches next weekend, with Central Michigan scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m., and Bowling Green set for Sunday at noon.

Akron Women's Soccer Ends in Draw on Friday

Photo by Brent Durken/ISNSoccer.com

AKRON, OH - October 11, 2013 - The University of Akron (4-6-3, 1-3-1) women's soccer team played Ohio University (5-4-4, 1-2-2 MAC) to a 2-all draw on Friday evening in a Mid-American Conference matchup at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

The Bobcats struck first on offense in the 15th minute after a goal by Ohio's Holly Harris, but the Zips would not let that lead stand long. 

Junior Lani Smith registered her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 23rd minute from the left of goal. Smith's match equalizing goal was assisted by Zips women's soccer career assists leader, senior Kelly DeNiro.

DeNiro and Smith teamed-up again five minutes later - this time DeNiro with the goal - to take a 2-1 lead with a little over 15 minutes remaining in the first half. DeNiro now has two goals and three assists this season, while Smith's assist gives her two on the season. 

Despite a 2-1 lead heading into the half, the Zips allowed the match-tying goal in the 69th minute to Ohio's Allison Cislo to give the game its final score.

In the draw, Akron outshot Ohio 24-9 and had more shots on goal 9-5. The Zips defense also held the Bobcats to three corner kicks during the match. 

Klaire Adee was the goalie of record in Friday's tie, which gives her an overall record of 1-3-1. Adee recorded three saves in 65 minutes at goalkeeper.

Akron will head to MAC rival Kent State University on Sunday afternoon as a part of the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Match Photos

Akron Women's Soccer Falls on Sunday to Toledo, 1-0

TOLEDO, OH - October 9, 2013 - The University of Akron (4-6-2, 1-3-0 MAC) women's soccer team lost in a close 1-0 match with the University of Toledo (4-8-0, 1-3-0 MAC) on Sunday afternoon at Scott Park.

Akron and Toledo would play to a no-score tie through the first half, despite shots on goal by Kelly DeNiro, Madison Kaser and Lani Smith.

Following the scoreless first half, starting goalkeeper Alex Luevano-Harden remained in goal in her fourth start of the season.

The match would remain at nil until the 70th minute, when Toledo's Rachel MacLeod posted the lone goal of the match, her ninth of the season.

The Zips went on to post two shots on goal after Toledo's match-deciding goal. Sydney Blomquistregistered her lone shot on goal of the match, while DeNiro tallied her second.

Overall, the Akron offense registered eight total shots and five on goal. DeNiro led the squad with three total shots, followed up by five other Zips with one shot each.

Freshman Abby Gindlesberger earned her first start of the season, and also played the full 90 minutes. Brianna Kanz, Maggie Rusnak, Smith and DeNiro also were on the pitch for the duration of the match.

Luevano-Harden saw her record in goal fall to 1-3-0 following the loss. The junior totaled four saves and one goal allowed in 90 minutes.

Akron will look ahead to Friday's home match against Ohio University at 7 p.m. The Zips will also play next Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Kent State Golden Flashes.

Akron Women Fall to NIU

DEKALB, IL - October 4, 2013 - The University of Akron (4-5-2, 1-2-0 MAC) lost in Friday evening's Mid-American Conference matchup to Northern Illinois University (3-7-1, 1-2-0 MAC) by a score of 2-0 at the NIU Soccer Complex.

Northern Illinois took the first lead of the game in the 24th minute from Nicole Gobbo, allowed by starting goalie Alex Luevano-Harden. Luevano-Harden made her third start of the season with four total saves, but saw her record fall to 1-2-0.

Sophomore Klaire Adee took over in goal for the second half of the match, and allowed one goal also to the Huskies offense. NIU's Gobbo registered her second goal of the contest in the 53rd minute to bring the match to its final score of 2-0.

Overall, the Akron offense produced five shots and four shots on goal in the match. Senior Kelly DeNiro and junior Lani Smith tied for the team-lead with two shots each, both on goal.

Despite the loss, the Akron defense held Northern Illinois to two shots and two corner kicks in the second half.

The Zips will look ahead to Sunday's matchup with the Toledo Rockets in a MAC East matchup at 1 p.m., in Toledo, Ohio.