Akron women defeat Bowling Green

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Sophomore Rachel Phillip had one goal and one assist to help lead the University of Akron women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over Bowling Green on Sunday at Cochrane Field in Mid-American Conference action.

Phillip gave Akron (4-6-2, 2-3-1 MAC) a 1-0 lead heading into halftime, scoring her team-leading third goal of the season at 44:14. Then in the 89th minute she assisted on sophomore Liz Cloutier's first collegiate goal – keying the Zips' second victory in three matches. Cloutier's score came at 88:51 during a scramble in the penalty box.

UA held to its 1-0 lead until Bowling Green's Colleen Kordan converted a penalty kick at 85:26 and Akron quickly countered in the clutch.

"This game was not so much about the win, but about the season," Akron head coach Chris Pfau said. "This was a game we had to win. This was a game after a tough loss on Friday night and was about character, about our senior class becoming leaders. This was about giving up a penalty with less than five minutes to play and not wanting to lose – believing we were going to win."

Akron finished the game with 14 shots, 10 of which came in the second half. Freshman Ashley Hughes led the Zips with four shots, while Phillip, senior Britni Back and junior Leigh Cullen had three shots apiece. Phillip tied BGSU's Katie Stephenson with a game-high two shots on goal.

Bowling Green (4-9-2, 0-4-2 MAC) took 17 shots and suffered its fourth loss in five games.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert protected the UA net for all 90 minutes, earning her third win of the season while making five saves.

Akron continues league play at home next weekend, playing host to Miami (Ohio) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET and Ball State on Sunday at 1 p.m. The contest with Miami will be "YMCA Day", with YMCA members being eligible to purchase a discounted $2 ticket (must show valid membership card).

"If we can continue to play the way we did today and have that type of belief and determination it could be a fun ride the last five games," said Pfau.