By: Parker Perry

Friday was supposed to be a pivotal day in Akron Zips women soccer history. The Zips charged into 31st nationally ranked Michigan and came away with a 1-0 victory. The win got them all kinds of recognition; sites had them listed as the number four team in all of Midwest soccer.

It woke the community up. People started whispering about the potential of two nationally ranked teams playing at First Energy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field when Michigan State tries to invade the pouch Sept. 4.

“Going into Michigan…the players were ready mentally and knew what they needed to do,” women’s Head Coach Chris Pfau said.

Jeny Wolbert, Akron’s keeper, put on a show, making big time stops in the shut out. Kelly DeNiro was able to get the ball to teammate Kyarah Foushee, who put it in the back of the net toward the end of the first half. The team kept the mighty Michigan offense off-balance for most of the game, limiting them to only a few good opportunities. Akron looked like the team to beat.

The season is a long one though, and what is given can easily be taken away. That is something that the Zips learned the hard way when they went into Miami, Fla. to take on Florida International University.

“I thought going into FIU, they never got themselves ready to play and it showed the first half,” said Pfau. “FIU is a very good team and our non-conference schedule is very tough.”  Akron ended up losing the match 1-0.

Despite the loss, hope and challenge lies ahead. When asked how he feels about his team, Pfau is still very upbeat.

“I like our team very much. They show up every day, work hard and play for each other.  We are doing things that I did not think we could do this year, and if we can learn to do those for 90 minutes, we will be tough to beat.”

To beat Michigan State this coming Sunday, Akron will have to play a well-rounded game both offensively and defensively. 

“The big thing is that we control the flow of the game,” said Pfau. “We did that at Michigan, and if we can do that at home this Sunday, we will give ourselves a shot at winning”

Akron hosts Michigan State at 1 p.m. Sunday. The matchup will mark their first home game of the season.