Eastern Michigan University's women's soccer team fell to Akron 3-2 after a close second half on Thursday. The Zips are now 4-4-1 on the season and the Eagles dropped to 4-11-2.
The Zips were primed for a quick momentum after losing their last four games. They had 10 shots on goal in the first half and scored two goals. Ashley Amato scored first for Akron in the 17th minute on her only shot on goal in the game. Akron was moving the ball around on the offensive end and kept goalkeeper Chelsea Abbotts in the action. Forward Carly Pcholinsky scored the second goal with 1:47 left in the first half.
The Zips took the 2-0 lead into the halftime break despite having six fouls. Akron goalkeeper Libby Harper and Abbotts each had three saves going into the second half.
Pcholinsky continued her scoring momentum and connected on another goal just under five minutes after the second half started. Her two goals were the only shots on goal she had during the game.
EMU started their scoring at the 60-minute mark. Linsey Shira kicked a goal to make the game 3-1 in favor of the Zips. This started the urgency to get back in the contest as EMU had six shots on goal to Akron’s three.
Amanda Cripps scored for the Eagles to make it 3-2 at the 76-minute mark. The lead nearly diminished for the Zips until they stood up with their defense late in the match. Eastern Michigan couldn’t manage enough opportunities for scoring chances in the final minutes and Akron put a stamp on the 3-2 win with great defense.
EMU dropped to 3-6 in the MAC and 4-11-2 overall. Akron gets back up to .500 in the conference at 4-4-1 and is 7-9-1 overall on the season. The Eagles have now lost two straight games against Ohio and Akron following their victory over Kent State on Friday, Oct. 18.
The Eagles will head into their second to last game of the regular season at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27 at home against the Buffalo Bulls. Eastern Michigan will finish the regular season against rival Central Michigan on Oct. 31 in Mount Pleasant. The last time the Eagles faced Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan came out on top with a 3-2 victory in overtime at home.
The Eagles will look to compete in the MAC Tournament following the regular season which begins on Sunday, Nov. 3. Last year the Eagles were eliminated by Bowling Green in the first round of the conference championship.
Bowling Green is leading the conference again this year with a 8-1 record against the MAC and a total of 24 points. Ball State is currently in second place with a 7-2 record and 21 points. Ohio, Buffalo and Western Michigan all have 16 points. Eastern Michigan and Toledo are tied with nine points.
