TOLEDO, OH - A big second half helped propel the Rockets past Akron, 3-0, on Friday evening at Scott Park. A pair of goals from junior captain Megan Connor and redshirt freshman Isa Echeverri just minutes apart helped Toledo cruise to the shutout victory.

The Rockets held a 13-9 edge in shots including a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. Echeverri led the Midnight Blue & Gold with four shots while junior midfielder Geri Siudzinski followed closely with three blasts of her own.

Junior keeper Sam Tiongson tallied five saves and registered her sixth shutout of the season. The Carmel, IN native has recorded back-to-back shutouts dating back to a 1-0 win over Bowling Green on Oct. 12.

The Rockets opened the contest with lots of pressure on the Zips and nearly broke through just 10 minutes into the contest as Echeverri found space. The Medellin, Colombia native fired a shot from 25 yards out and beat the keeper but the ball bounced off of the crossbar and out of play.

The teams traded possession for most of the first half and Akron nearly capitalized as Lani Smith broke free behind the UT defense and had a one-on-one shot at Tiongson. However, Tiongson stood tall, showed great patience and made an acrobatic diving save to keep the game tied at 0-0 with 14 minutes to play in the half.

The save seemed to jolt the Rockets attack and Siudzinski took matters into her own hands. After a give-and-go play with senior Rio James, Siudzinski dribbled through and around the UA defenders and ripped a shot from just outside the box, which found the back of the net to give Toledo the 1-0 lead just before the half.

The Rockets upped the pressure and really pressed the Akron players  early in the second half looking for their second goal of the game. UT was rewarded for their efforts as Connor gathered a rebound just outside the box and rifled a shot inside the near the post and rippled the net to make it 2-0 Toledo.

Just two minutes later Toledo once again lit the scoreboard as freshman forward Chiara Paradiso sent in a lofted cross from the left side and Echeverri sent a rainbow header over the goalie and into the net.

Despite the 3-0 lead, Toledo continued to apply pressure and tallied nine second half shots. Akron's offense was stifled by the solid Rocket defenders and could not find a quality chance to cut into the lead.

Toledo will honor six seniors before its game against Buffalo at 1:05 p.m. on Sunday. Seniors Kirsten Catloth, Brooke Lawler, Meghan Topolewski, Rio James, Alexis Tice and Sarah Seig will each be recognized for their efforts and accomplishments during their collegiate career at UT.

Sunday's game will be aired live on BCSN.

Toledo 3 Akron 0
 
UT: G. Siudzinski, 32:24
UT: M. Connor, 48:06
UT: I. Echeverri, 50:48
 
Shots: UT 13 UA 9
Corner Kicks: UT 5 UA 2
Saves: UT 5 UA 3