AKRON, Oh. – With a goal in the 14th minute from Mackenzie Mix and four saves from freshman goalkeeper Sabrina Locas, the Niagara Purple Eagles women's soccer team took down the Akron Zips 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. The win gives the Purple Eagles a record of 3-0-1 in their last four games and keeps them on top of the MAAC with a 3-1-1 overall record.
 
Game Summary

• Final Score: Niagara 1, Akron 0
• Niagara Goals: Mackenzie Mix
• Niagara Assists: Eva Bachmann
• In Goal: Sabrina Locas (1-1-1) - 0 GA, 4 SV, SO
• Records: Niagara – 3-1-1; Akron – 1-4-1
• Location: FirstEnergy Stadium – Akron, Oh.
• Attendance: 332

 
Game Recap

• Niagara took control early in the first half with three shots on goal to Akron's one.
• After Hailey Bicknell was turned away by Akron goalkeeper Amani Jiu in the 12th minute, the Purple Eagles came back and found the back of the net to take the 1-0 lead. Senior Eva Bachmann set up Mackenzie Mix to the left side of the Akron box, and Mix's shot deflected off the goalkeeper and in.
• Akron challenged to tie the game with four consecutive shots midway through the first half, but only one found its way on goal and was stopped by Sabrina Locas.
• In the second half, the Zips took control of the possession and outshot Niagara 11-1 looking to tie the game and get on the scoreboard.
• After making a pair of saves earlier in the second half, Locas was challenged in the closing seconds on one last chance for Akron, stopping a header shot from Annamarie Alfery to secure the shutout victory for the Purple Eagles.

Coach's Corner

• Head coach Peter Veltri: "I thought we showed a lot of heart this weekend with two big road wins! It's difficult to get wins away from home, so for this young group to snag two really demonstrates our quality of play. Hopefully this will help build our confidence as we near conference play."

Inside the Numbers

• After missing the entire 2016 season due to injury, redshirt-freshman Mackenzie Mix picked up her first career goal in her fourth appearance of the season.
• Eva Bachmann registered her first assist of the 2017 campaign after leading the Purple Eagles with six assists a year ago.
• Freshman Sabrina Locas, who played 45 minutes of a 2-0 Niagara shutout win versus St. Bonaventure on Aug. 25, picked up her first complete shutout with four saves at Akron.
• Locas set season-highs in minutes played (90) and saves (four) in her first collegiate win.
• Niagara's goaltending tandem continues to shine this season, as Locas is now 1-1-1 on the season with a 1.10 goals-against average and a .786 save percentage. Redshirt-sophomore Shania van Nuland is 2-0 with a 0.80 goals-against average and .882 save percentage.
• Akron outshot Niagara 16-4 in total, but held a slim 4-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Zips also earned four corner kicks while Niagara had none.

 
Up Next

• The Purple Eagles bring their four-game unbeaten streak back to Niagara Field on Friday, Sept. 8 as they play host to Fairleigh Dickinson University at 7 p.m.

 
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for women's soccer updates, follow Niagara women's soccer at @NiagaraWSO. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook.com/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.