The University of Akron Athletics
Season Gets Underway for Men's Soccer
August 16 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 16, 2005
AKRON, Ohio - The days just got longer for the University of Akron men's soccer team as the squad reported for its first day of preseason camp Tuesday morning. The Zips will have just two days of practice before taking on preseason No. 10 SMU in the inaugural Westfield Cup on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in an exhibition match at Lee Jackson Field.
"The team is excited to get on the field and start preparing for this weekend's matches," said University of Akron head coach Ken Lolla. "We will be facing two of the top teams in the nation, and that will only benefit us as regular season play approaches."
Akron returns six starters from last year's team that finished 13-5-3 and made its fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. In addition to 12 returning letterwinners, Lolla welcomes 13 newcomers to the pitch. Ten freshmen will join junior transfers Jonathan McClain (Wright State) and Ashley Kozicki (St John's), and senior transfer Justin Sadler (Drexel).
Leading the veterans is senior forward Ross McKenzie (Whangamata, New Zealand/Mount Albert), who closed out the 2004 season with four goals over the final two games. McKenzie is the leading returning scorer, contributing eight goals and nine assists for 25 points a year ago.
Senior and team captain Yohann Mauger (Rennes, France/Marc
Bloch) will anchor the midfield, a group comprised of some of the
most experienced players on the team. In addition to Maguer,
sophomore Steve Kalan (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield) appeared in
20 games last season, and seniors Dino Campellone (Seven Hills,
Ohio/St. Ignatius) and Jeremy Field (Hamilton, New
Zealand/Hillcrest HS) have plenty of big-game experience behind
them.
|
|
In addition to the Mustangs, Akron will face either Maryland (preseason No. 3) or Connecticut (preseason No. 9) in its second Westfield Cup match. UA opens its regular-season slate at home on Sept. 2 against Evansville (7:30 p.m.).
