The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Hosts Eastern Michigan in Halloween MACtion
October 30 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's soccer team culminates its regular season campaign welcoming Eastern Michigan to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 3 p.m. tilt on Thursday (Oct. 31).
Admission for the contest against Eastern Michigan is free. 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. Eastern Michigan | Oct. 31 | 3 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Live Video
HEAD COACHES
Eastern Michigan: Taylor Clarke (Saginaw Valley State, 2013), Overall Record: 49-24-15 (Fifth Season), Record at Eastern Michigan: 6-6-5 (First Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 53-70-18 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 11-31-9 (Third Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron enters action versus Eastern Michigan at 5-8-4 on the campaign, including 0-8-2 in the MAC following a 2-0 setback versus Bowling Green on Sunday (Oct. 27).
Sophomore GK Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) posted a pair of saves in the match for the Zips.
Senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio), freshman Allie McMillen (Shreve, Ohio) and Stafford led the Zips with two goals apiece this season, while, junior Emma King (Akron, Ohio), redshirt senior Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and sophomores Anna Simmons (Manassas, Va.) Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) have netted one goal each. Eleven Akron players have recorded an assist on the campaign led by a team-high two from Pentz. Additionally, Pentz paces the squad in shots (20) and Pentz in shots on goal (8), while redshirt junior Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) and sophomore Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) own 48 and 39 saves, respectively, in net for Akron.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron has won three of the previous four encounters with Eastern Michigan.
• Eight of the 22 matches between Akron and Eastern Michigan have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning three wins and a draw in those contests.
• The Zips are second in the Mid-American Conference in saves per game (5.47).
• Sara Bower and Penelope Cuirinier lead the MAC in combined shutouts (4), while ranking third and eighth, respectively, in saves per game at 4.22 and 3.27 per contest. Additionally, Bower is rated second in save percentage (.844) and 10th in goals against average (1.22), while Cuirinier is fifth in save percentage (.831) and sixth in goals against average (0.89). In league-only affairs, Cuirinier is sixth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in saves per game (3.63), save percentage (.784) and goals against average (1.28).
• Akron is ranked 23rd in the NCAA in save percentage (.845).
• Seven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including one newcomer.
• Twenty-two Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
• Nine Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• Penelope Cuirinier collected her 175th career save against Cleveland State (Sept. 12) and enters play versus Eastern Michigan with 210 career saves.
• The Zips recorded the squad's initial seven-game unbeaten streak since 2007 this season. The unbeaten streak matched the longest in program history set during both the 2006 and 2007 campaigns.
• Akron has matched its 2006 squad as the only Zips' teams to post an unbeaten record in non-conference play.
• Akron posted the second most shutouts in a non-conference campaign in school history, trailing only the 2006 squad that registered six straight to open the 2006 season.
• Akron posted five consecutive shutouts for the first time since the 2009 campaign.
• The four 1-0 clean sheet victories this season represent the second-highest total in program history matching identical marks in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The 2006 Akron team holds the top mark with six 1-0 wins.
• The six shutouts by the Zips are the most for Akron in a season since posting seven in the 2011 campaign.
• The Zips posted shutouts in five consecutive contests and did not surrender a goal in more than 606 minutes (606:05).
• Akron's victory over Oakland (Aug. 22) marked the 50th career coaching victory for head coach Jen Simonetti.
• Ella Hadley enters play versus Eastern Michigan ranked ninth in career scoring at Akron with 26 points, while Emma King is nearing the top 10 in career scoring with 24 points.
• King needs one goal to enter the top 10 in program history in career goals having amassed 10 in her four seasons.
• Cuirinier is ranked third, third, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Akron women's soccer record book in career saves, shutouts, wins and goals against average.
• Katie Stafford was selected as the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 15.
• Penelope Cuirinier was tabbed by the MAC as its Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Sept. 17.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan comes into play against Akron at 6-6-5 on the campaign, including 2-3-5 in the Mid-American Conference following a 1-0 win over Kent State on Sunday (Oct. 27).
Directing the offensive attack for the Eagles is sophomore Olivia Sipsock, who paces the team in goals (4), assists (2), points (10), shots (39) and shots on goal (20). Redshirt sophomore GK Ella Holland has pulled in 72 saves on the campaign and owns a 0.82 goals against average with eight shutouts.
The Eagles are ranked 26th in the NCAA in save percentage (.843) and 49th in goals against average (.824). Individually, Holland is rated 25th in shutouts (8) and 34th in save percentage (.837).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Eastern Michigan are meeting for 23rd time in program history with the Eagles leading the series by a 14-6-2 margin. The Zips recorded a 2-1 road triumph past Eastern Michigan, on Oct. 19, 2023, in Ypsilanti, Mich.
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.
Admission for the contest against Eastern Michigan is free. 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. Eastern Michigan | Oct. 31 | 3 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Live Video
HEAD COACHES
Eastern Michigan: Taylor Clarke (Saginaw Valley State, 2013), Overall Record: 49-24-15 (Fifth Season), Record at Eastern Michigan: 6-6-5 (First Season)
Akron: Jen Simonetti (Dayton, 2005), Overall Record: 53-70-18 (Ninth Season), Record at Akron: 11-31-9 (Third Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
Akron enters action versus Eastern Michigan at 5-8-4 on the campaign, including 0-8-2 in the MAC following a 2-0 setback versus Bowling Green on Sunday (Oct. 27).
Sophomore GK Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) posted a pair of saves in the match for the Zips.
Senior Ella Hadley (Concord, Ohio), freshman Allie McMillen (Shreve, Ohio) and Stafford led the Zips with two goals apiece this season, while, junior Emma King (Akron, Ohio), redshirt senior Morgan Pentz (Broadview Heights, Ohio) and sophomores Anna Simmons (Manassas, Va.) Rachel Wenzel (Akron, Ohio) have netted one goal each. Eleven Akron players have recorded an assist on the campaign led by a team-high two from Pentz. Additionally, Pentz paces the squad in shots (20) and Pentz in shots on goal (8), while redshirt junior Penelope Cuirinier (Mionnay, France) and sophomore Sara Bower (Cincinnati, Ohio) own 48 and 39 saves, respectively, in net for Akron.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron has won three of the previous four encounters with Eastern Michigan.
• Eight of the 22 matches between Akron and Eastern Michigan have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning three wins and a draw in those contests.
• The Zips are second in the Mid-American Conference in saves per game (5.47).
• Sara Bower and Penelope Cuirinier lead the MAC in combined shutouts (4), while ranking third and eighth, respectively, in saves per game at 4.22 and 3.27 per contest. Additionally, Bower is rated second in save percentage (.844) and 10th in goals against average (1.22), while Cuirinier is fifth in save percentage (.831) and sixth in goals against average (0.89). In league-only affairs, Cuirinier is sixth, sixth and seventh, respectively, in saves per game (3.63), save percentage (.784) and goals against average (1.28).
• Akron is ranked 23rd in the NCAA in save percentage (.845).
• Seven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including one newcomer.
• Twenty-two Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
• Nine Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• Penelope Cuirinier collected her 175th career save against Cleveland State (Sept. 12) and enters play versus Eastern Michigan with 210 career saves.
• The Zips recorded the squad's initial seven-game unbeaten streak since 2007 this season. The unbeaten streak matched the longest in program history set during both the 2006 and 2007 campaigns.
• Akron has matched its 2006 squad as the only Zips' teams to post an unbeaten record in non-conference play.
• Akron posted the second most shutouts in a non-conference campaign in school history, trailing only the 2006 squad that registered six straight to open the 2006 season.
• Akron posted five consecutive shutouts for the first time since the 2009 campaign.
• The four 1-0 clean sheet victories this season represent the second-highest total in program history matching identical marks in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The 2006 Akron team holds the top mark with six 1-0 wins.
• The six shutouts by the Zips are the most for Akron in a season since posting seven in the 2011 campaign.
• The Zips posted shutouts in five consecutive contests and did not surrender a goal in more than 606 minutes (606:05).
• Akron's victory over Oakland (Aug. 22) marked the 50th career coaching victory for head coach Jen Simonetti.
• Ella Hadley enters play versus Eastern Michigan ranked ninth in career scoring at Akron with 26 points, while Emma King is nearing the top 10 in career scoring with 24 points.
• King needs one goal to enter the top 10 in program history in career goals having amassed 10 in her four seasons.
• Cuirinier is ranked third, third, fifth and sixth, respectively, in the Akron women's soccer record book in career saves, shutouts, wins and goals against average.
• Katie Stafford was selected as the MAC Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 15.
• Penelope Cuirinier was tabbed by the MAC as its Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Sept. 17.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan comes into play against Akron at 6-6-5 on the campaign, including 2-3-5 in the Mid-American Conference following a 1-0 win over Kent State on Sunday (Oct. 27).
Directing the offensive attack for the Eagles is sophomore Olivia Sipsock, who paces the team in goals (4), assists (2), points (10), shots (39) and shots on goal (20). Redshirt sophomore GK Ella Holland has pulled in 72 saves on the campaign and owns a 0.82 goals against average with eight shutouts.
The Eagles are ranked 26th in the NCAA in save percentage (.843) and 49th in goals against average (.824). Individually, Holland is rated 25th in shutouts (8) and 34th in save percentage (.837).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Eastern Michigan are meeting for 23rd time in program history with the Eagles leading the series by a 14-6-2 margin. The Zips recorded a 2-1 road triumph past Eastern Michigan, on Oct. 19, 2023, in Ypsilanti, Mich.
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.
Players Mentioned
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Green Bay - 8/31/25
Monday, September 01
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Souther Indiana - 8/24/25
Monday, August 25
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Eastern Illinois - 8/17/25
Monday, August 18
2025 Akron Zips Women's Soccer - Season Preview with Student-Athletes - 8/12/25
Tuesday, August 12