AKRON, Ohio – The Miami (OH) University soccer team came out flying but couldn’t capitalize early and ultimately dropped a 1-0 decision to the Akron Zips (5-6-2, 3-3-1 Mid-American Conference) on a frigid, damp Friday night at Lee Jackson Field. The RedHawks (7-6-1, 3-3-1 MAC) came up short by a 1-0 score for the second straight game after falling to MAC-leading Central Michigan by the same tally last Sunday.

The RedHawks littered four shots over the first 16 minutes of the match and earned a pair corner kicks, but Miami couldn’t find the back of the net. Sopho more Courtney Clarke (Scarborough, Ont.) had Miami’s first attempt on goal in the sixth minute off a corner kick, but it sailed high. Senior Allison Berkey (Hopkinton, Mass.) put headers on frame in the 13th and 16th minutes, however Akron sophomore keeper Jeny Wolbert stopped both shots to keep the game scoreless.

The Zips answered with a trio of shots over the next eight minutes, none of which found the target. The teams struggled to create offense the remainder of the half as the teams headed into the break in a scoreless tie.  Both sides fired five shots in the half with the RedHawks earning the only two corners. Wolbert and Miami senior keeper Krista Pace (Toronto, Ont.) both made a pair of stops to keep their clean sheets.

The ’Hawks took their final shot of the match in the 56th minute when sophomore Alexandra Karlsson’s boot went wide. Five minutes later Akron broke the deadlock when Kate Ferrara put home a rebound off a free kick to put the Zips on top, 1-0. It was Ferrara’s first goal of the year.

Miami made a final effort to even the count with less than 30 seconds remaining by earning a free kick, but the RedHawks could not get a shot off and fell by the one-goal margin.

Akron finished with a slight, 7-6 edge in shots for the contest while both sides drew three corner kicks. Berkey took Miami’s only two shots on goal, while Pace made three saves in the loss.

The ’Hawks still lead the all-time series with the Zips, 4-3-2.

Miami looks to get back on track Sunday when the RedHawks invade Chessa Field in hopes of spoiling Ohio University’s Senior Day. First touch is set for 1 p.m. ET in Athens, Ohio.