DAYTON — Wright State concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 2-1 victory over Akron on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Field.
The Raiders improved to 2-3-2 overall, while Akron fell to 1-5 on the season. Wright State returns to action on Thursday, September 14, for its conference opener at Green Bay.
As a team, Wright State bested the Zips in total shots (12-9), shots on goal (7-5), and corner kicks (3-1).
Sophia Kuerze paced the attack with a goal and an assist — both the first of her collegiate career — in the winning effort.
Marcella Sizer finished with a team-leading three shots on goal, highlighted by a game-winning score at the 73-minute mark of the second half.
Tamara Smith was credited with an assist on Sizer's score, while
Lauren Borchert,
Kaylin Helinski, and
Caitlin Burger added shots on goal.
Goalkeeper
Kiera Sarka compiled four saves in net compared to one goal allowed.
Zara Graff anchored the Raider back line with 81 minutes of playing time.
Caitlin Burger and
Olivia Mace received 70-plus minutes of action.
Wright State reached the scoreboard first in the non-conference matchup, as Kuerze turned a blunder by Akron goalkeeper Sara Bower into her first collegiate goal at the 25-minute mark. The Zips responded with a game-tying goal off the foot of Katie Stafford in the 27th minute. Neither team tallied for a shot on goal for the rest of the period, which led to a 1-1 tie entering the break.
The Raiders threatened to take the lead in the opening 20 minutes of the second period, as Burger and Sizer tallied shots on frame. However, both strikes were taken in by Akron's goalkeeper.
Sizer broke the tie with a header to the back of the net in the 73rd minute off assists by Kuerze and Smith. WSU's back line limited the Zips to just one off-target shot for the remainder of the match to seal its second win of the year.
