Kent State University
University of Akron
Flashes Host Zips in First Wagon Wheel Lacrosse Game
3/12/2021 11:01:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State lacrosse team (0-4, 0-1 MAC) hosts Akron (3-1, 1-0 MAC) in the first rendition of the women's lacrosse Wagon Wheel rivalry on Saturday, March 13, at 1 p.m., at Dix Stadium.
The two teams were set to jump start the historic rivalry in exuberant fashion last season on Tierney Field at the U.S. Lacrosse facility in Baltimore, Md. That game was cancelled along with the rest of the season, so this Saturday becomes history for the two programs.
Through Four Games
The Golden Flashes have yet to come away with a victory this season but are showing improvement across each level of the field. Kent State has allowed less goals than the previous game in each of its last three contests.
Part of that is due to solid goalkeeping by freshman Taylor Monturo. She was the third goalie to make an appearance against Robert Morris but used an impressive seven-save effort to earn her first career start against Cincinnati. Monturo made seven saves against the Bearcats in 42 minutes of action.
Against Cincinnati, the Golden Flashes had their best start to a game this season. Nine minutes into the contest, Kent State held a 2-1 lead. The Bearcats went on to score 14 straight goals and earn the victory, but there are a lot of positives for the Flashes to build on.
Kent State is led by juniors Abby Jones and Madison Rapier, who each have scored eight goals this season. More Flashes are getting involved offensively with Pilar Lewis and Lexi Piekarski each recording their first goal of 2021 against Cincinnati.
The team's lone senior, Emily Speckman, leads the team defensively with four caused turnovers. Junior Anna Woodhams – a swiss-army knife who has played multiple positions – and freshman Lily Miller both have three caused turnovers.
About Akron
Akron will make the shorty journey to Kent riding a three-game winning streak. The Zips got their first win this season against Saint Francis (Pa.), 8-7. They went on to beat Youngstown State in their first Mid-American Conference matchup, 12-11.
The Zips took it to Delaware State earlier this week, 18-5, to earn their third straight victory. Redshirt freshman Alexis Kiefer led the way for Akron, scoring six goals against Delaware State. She leads the team with 13 points (12g, 1a).
Along with Kiefer, redshirt sophomore Kaylee Riggins has scored in all four games for the Zips. She is second on the team with nine points (7g, 2a).
In goal for the Zips is freshman Ashley Lapp. She has allowed 29 goals in four games and made 30 saves on 83 shots faced. Lapp has a perfect 3-0 record on the year with an impressive .508 save percentage. She ranks 22nd in the country in that category.
Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge
A half point in the 16-sport Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge will be on the line as the Flashes host the Zips on Saturday. The rivalry series between the two teams is based on a time-honored competition for an historic wooden wagon wheel trophy awarded originally in 1945 to the winner of the annual Kent State-Akron football game. Through 10 events this season, the Flashes trail the series, 4.0-3.5.
Follow the Flashes
Saturday's Wagon Wheel matchup can be watched on Kent State Athletics and live stats are available during the game. For more information on the women's lacrosse team, follow Kent State Lacrosse on Twitter and Instagram and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
Next Up
The Flashes will make their second road trip of the city, this time a couple hours east to Pittsburgh to take on Duquesne on Tuesday, March 16. Kent State will return home on Monday, March 22, for a non-conference matchup with Presbyterian.
