AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women’s soccer team fought defending Mid-American Conference Tournament champion Central Michigan to a scoreless draw in the MAC opener for both teams Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

The match was evenly played across the board with each side holding possession for long, alternating periods and each squad firing three shots on goal. UA goalkeeper Jeny Wolbert made a trio of saves and earned her third shutout of the season. It was the Zips third straight clean sheet, extending Akron’s current shutout streak to 316 minutes.

The first half saw each team fire three shots, with the Zips producing a pair of excellent chances late in the period.  UA (3-3-1) created its first grade-A opportunity in the 32^nd minute when Rachel Phillip found herself in space on the left flank after a quick Akron restart. Phillip sent in a high, driven cross towards the back post that ricocheted just passed the right post.

Jordan Clark then nearly opened the scoring in the 41^st minute when her one-time strike from the center of the box sailed inches high of the crossbar. Clark just missed again minutes later when her shot from distance was a foot wide.

Ashley Hughes had Akron’s best chance in the second half, when she split a pair of CMU (6-1-2) defenders and charged in on goal from the left side of the penalty area. Hughes’ shot to the far post was tipped just wide by Chippewa keeper Stefanie Turner to keep the game scoreless.

Akron played well defensively through the whole match, turning away numerous Chippewa long free kicks into the box and holding CMU to just the three shots on frame.

The Zips take on Eastern Michigan on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.

Zips Notebook: Akron turned in a third consecutive clean sheet for the first time since 2009. UA held five straight opponents off the scoreboard that season on its way to a MAC East title.

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