By: Parker Perry

After just getting back last Monday, the Lady Zips soccer team will board a plane and return to Florida to play in the University of South Florida soccer tournament. They will play both South Florida and Florida Atlantic.

The Zips offense will be under scrutiny during the weekend, as the squad has only been able to score a single goal in its first three games, which came right before the half in the first game of the season against Michigan.

In Florida, the Zips will first face the 2-2-1 Bulls of USF. USF’s average record steams from a competitive schedule thus far, as they have faced Murray State, Indiana and Vanderbilt.

Akron’s offense will have to step up and play one of its best games as South Florida has allowed just two goals in the last four matches. A key reason for that is goal keeper Nichole McClure. McClure has notched 17 saves under her belt and has been a great weapon between the pipes for South Florida. If they can find a way around her, a win for the Zips would get them back at .500 and on track for the season they were expected to have.

The Zips will play Florida Atlantic Saturday, with the level of competition seeing no relief for Akron. Despite the lack of name recognition, the Owls have accumulated a 3-1 record so far, though they have not played as tough a schedule as the other participating teams in the three-team tournament.

According to the statics, sophomore Jesse Shugg will be a top competitor for FAU. Shugg has scored a team-leading four goals.

The Zips will take on South Florida this Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the South Florida Tournament, and finish up play against Florida Atlantic on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.