TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Akron women’s soccer team fought defending Mid-American Conference champion and current conference leader Toledo to a 2-2 road draw at UT’s Scott Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Zips (5-5-2, 2-2-2 MAC) fought back from a 1-0 second half deficit to take a 2-1 lead in the 81^st minute before allowing an equalizer from the Rockets (6-5-2, 5-0-1). UA became the first team to steal points from Toledo in conference play this season.

Freshman Karina Atkinson and senior Rachel Phillip tallied goals for Akron, with junior Ashley Hughes picking up her first assist of the season on Phillip’s goal. Senior goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert made five saves in net, including one in each of the two overtime periods.

The Rockets jumped into the lead just over a minute into the second half when Megan Blake’s shot found the back of the net.

Akron equalized on Atkinson’s second goal of the season in the 56^th minute. After receiving the ball from junior Katie Wise, the rookie forward smashed a shot that took a deflection off a UT defender and into the right side netting.

The Zips then took a 2-1 advantage on Phillip’s 81^st minute strike. Hughes picked up the ball in the middle third of the field and found Phillip on a perfectly timed run in alone on UT keeper Vicki Traven. Phillip did the rest by firing low past Traven and into the back of the net. Phillip was potent in front of goal all afternoon, launching four shots on target. The senior striker forced Traven into a save just over a minute into the match and again in the final minute of regulation.

The Akron lead was short lived, however, with UT answering right back less than a minute after the Phillip score. Kristen Lynn finished a cross from Nicole Gyugyik with a header past Wolbert to provide the final score.

The Zips return to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field next weekend to open MAC East play versus Bowling Green on Friday night and Miami on Sunday. Friday’s match will serve as the team’s senior night, while Sunday’s contest is alumni day for the women’s soccer program.

Zips Notebook: Senior goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert became Akron’s all-time leader in minutes played in goal in the match, surpassing Krystin Wilson. Wolbert has played 4,991 minutes in goal during her Akron career … Rachel Phillip’s goal was the 15^th of her career. Phillip is now one goal behind Britni Back for second on the Akron career goals scored list.

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