HUNTINGTON, WV – September 1, 2013 – The University of Akron (2-1-1) women’s soccer team played Marshall University (2-1-1) to a one-all draw on Sunday afternoon in Akron’s second straight overtime match.
“This weekend was a sign of the times for our program, as we went on the road again and had to battle back from a goal in both matches to get a result,” head coach Vernon Croft said Sunday. “This is the first time for us to have two results in a weekend and on the road nonetheless.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Klaire Adee registered a career high eight saves in the draw on Sunday, despite allowing one goal to the Thundering Herd offense. Adee, whose record now stands at 2-1-1, has a total of 14 saves this season.
Marshall’s Erin Simmons put Akron in a 1-0 deficit in the 27th minute, which would last through the first half. The UA defense has held opponents to one goal in three of the first four matches of the season.
Junior Lani Smith, a transfer from the University of South Carolina, registered the match-tying goal off a shot to the bottom left corner of the goal at 71:44, assisted by Karina Atkinson. Smith now has a total of three collegiate goals between UA and USC.
Three Akron players – Katie George, Brianna Kanz and Maggie Rusnak – remained on the pitch for the duration of the contest. George currently leads UA in minutes played with 380, followed up by Kanz with 363 minutes.
Senior midfielder Kelly DeNiro totaled the most shots on goal with two. DeNiro leads the Zips in shots taken this season with 15. Overall, the Akron offense totaled seven shots on goal.
“There is incredible commitment from everyone in our program to continue to make us better, from the training staff to the managing staff to the coaching staff and most importantly the players,” Croft said following the draw. “Could not be more proud of where we are, and am even more excited about where we can go.”
Akron will head to Youngstown State for a Friday matchup at 7 p.m., before coming to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field for the 2013 home opener against Boston University on Sunday at noon. There will be a schedule t-shirt giveaway for the home opener.
The Zips have a total of eight home games this season. Women’s soccer season tickets are just $40 for general admission, and are available for a $20 add-on for men’s soccer season ticketholders. Also, discounted tickets are available for faculty and staff at $32 and alumni at $25. Family plan add-ons can be made for $40.
Season and single game tickets can be purchased online at GoZips.com/tickets, by calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766), or at the C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office. The ticket office is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
