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AKRON, Ohio – The Eastern Kentucky University women’s soccer team fell to the University of Akron on Friday night, 2-1. Trailing 1-0 at the half, the Colonels tied it early in the second stanza off a goal by senior forward Kayla Swearingen. However, an own goal late in the game would give the Zips a lead they would not relinquish.

“We only showed up to play 20 minutes of a 90 minute match,” head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. “There’s no way you can win matches at this level if you decide to only play for 20 minutes. We had key opportunities in the first half and we just didn’t capitalize on them. The girls need to take the reins early on instead of waiting around for the second half to start playing.”

With the loss, the Colonels drop to 2-2-1 on the season, while the undefeated Zips improve to 4-0.

EKU was out shot in the first half, 9-4. Akron finally converted on one of their shot attempts with just three minutes remaining in the half. Britni Back took an assist from Liz Haney and fired it from the top of the box into the right side of the net, putting the Zips up 1-0.

The Colonel offense finally came alive in the second half. Just two minutes in, Swearingen received a cross from the right and fired a shot that hit the left cross bar and bounced into the net, tying the score.

Led by Swearingen’s four shots on goal, the Colonels out shot Akron in the second half, 8-3. However, an own goal at the 72:24 mark would put the Zips up for good.

Basalyga noted that the Colonel defense continued to play well in Friday’s match.

“Our back line is playing very solid,” Basalyga said. “Eva Hollenberg is playing great soccer. Ashley Green, Maddy Shumaker, Jessica Goshert, and Stephanie Murray also played very well.”

Sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Lynch played all 90 minutes of the match and made six saves.

The Colonels return to action on Sunday at Cleveland State. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

“I think this match will make us a better team,” Basalyga said. “And I’m confident they’re going to respond on Sunday.”