Written by: Sartaj Aujla

The Akron women’s soccer team faced off against Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan this past weekend.

Akron was able to match Western Michigan 1-1 but fell later to Eastern Michigan 2-1.

Each game went into double overtime.

Akron falls to 5-11-1 for the season, and is now 1-8-1 in the Mid-American Conference.

“The players showed great effort this weekend,” interim head coach Vernon Croft said. “It’s unfortunate to not get the result we wanted to end conference play.”

Western Michigan came to FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field with a mission: to make it back into the tournament.

Last year, they made it to the championship game only to be knocked off by Toledo.

Akron fought for the game’s first score, but was unsuccessful, as the Broncos were able to find the net with a shot by Diana Dedvukaj to bring the score to 1-0.

The Zips tied the game with a goal by Karina Atinkson from the far post.

Defense was the motto for the rest of the game.

Even in double overtime, neither the Zips nor the Broncos scored, and the game ended 1-1.

“Western Michigan almost won the Conference Championship last season,” Croft said. “To at least tie, that’s a huge step for our program and its players. Our players really attacked, and it showed.”

The Zips stayed at home to host Eastern Michigan the following Sunday.

The game’s first half was a total defensive effort.

Neither team was able to find the scoreboard, and they went into the locker rooms 0-0.

Akron found the scoreboard first, coming out of the half.

At the 72-minute mark, Kelly DeNiro delivered the ball to the net to bring the score to 1-0, Akron.

The Eagles matched the Zips’ goal 11 minutes later with a goal by Cara Cutaia, bringing the game to 1-1 and essentially sending the game into overtime.

When no team landed a score in the first overtime, the game was sent into double overtime.

The Eagles ended the match with a game-closer by Emily Dzik, thereby handing Akron their 11th loss of the season and their eighth loss in conference play.

“We were physically and mentally tired as the game went on into back-to-back overtime,” Croft said. “We knew we needed a win.”

The Zips will close off the season against Buffalo in Buffalo, N.Y. this Thursday.

“At the end of the day, I know that our players play tough,” Croft said. “I expect them to continue that toughness and pride that they have as we end the season in Buffalo.”