INDIANAPOLIS - On a night when the IUPUI women's soccer team (1-1-1) knocked on the door throughout the match, the University of Akron (3-0-0) used the weather to its advantage in sending the Jags to their first defeat of the season.

Adrienne Knox fired a wind-aided rocket over the outstretched hands of Jessie Mann in the 52nd minute, and Heather Rains put home a rebound from 6 yards out in the 69th as the Zips topped the Jags, 2-0 in front of IUPUI's largest crowd of the season.

"I think from one 18 to the other 18, we basically dominated the game," said IUPUI head coach Chris Johnson. "That said, we've got to find ways to win games. We have to score goals."

In front of a crowd of just shy of 300, the Jags' attackers, led by forwards Emily Hicks and Angie Pilat controlled the tempo from the opening kickoff, outshooting the Zips 11-4 in the first half and 15-12 for the match. However, despite threatening throughout both halves, the Jags failed to convert several key opportunities, and the Zips took advantage of strong winds at their backs in the second half to find the back of the net.

After a scoreless first half, junior midfielder Sheri Levack recovered a loose ball off the second-half kickoff and fired an unchallenged line-drive shot from 17 yards out that was saved by a diving Krystin Wilson.

Moments later, the Zips defense cleared ahead to midfielder Amee Thompson on the right wing. Thompson crossed to Knox, who controlled from 28 yards out and drove a laser over a leaping Mann into the upper right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

The Jags continued to pressure the Zips defense, but failed to convert on another chance in the 62nd minute. Sophomore defender #J.J. King# weaved through defenders on the right wing to the back line and crossed to an open Levack 8 yards out, but Levack's right-footer sailed over the crossbar.

Rains capped the scoring in the 69th minute. Midfielder Donna Swift took a pass on the left wing and rifled a shot from 30 yards out. Mann, standing on the 6-yard box, appeared to initially misjudge the wind-guided ball, then backpedaled and deflected the shot off her finger tips as she lost her footing. Rains sprinted past the Jaguar defenders, secured the rebound inside the 6-yard box and hammered a left-foot shot into the opposite corner before Mann could recover.

Johnson applauded the play of defenders Lisa Gebhard, King, Lindsey Warfield and Samantha Sliney.

"I thought our back four did a great job," said Johnson. "Those two balls they fired in were from way out.

"Our midfielders also did a nice job of keeping up our attack throughout the match," said Johnson.

The Jags will look to return to their winning ways on Sunday as they welcome Cleveland State University (1-1-0) to Kuntz Stadium, capping the season-opening four-game homestand. The match is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.