Ubiparipovic Named MAC Player of the Year

November 05 | Men's Soccer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -

University of Akron senior midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor/UIC) was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, and eight Zips picked up all-league honors as announced Sunday by the MAC.

Akron dominated the All-MAC first team with six selections, led by Ubiparipovic. Heading into Sunday's MAC Championship game at Northern Illinois, Ubiparipovic is tied for the team lead with seven goals scored and is tops on the squad with 21 points. It is Ubiparipovic's second-straight first team selection, and the second consecutive year that the Zips have produced the MAC Player of the Year (Ross McKenzie- 2005).

"It is a credit to the type of season we have had that our players have gained the attention of the league coaches," said head coach Caleb Porter. "Obviously I think we have an entire team of outstanding players and I am proud of how hard they have worked to get to this point in the season."

Two other Zips earned first-team honors for the second-consecutive season in sophomore midfielder Matt Tutich (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) and sophomore defender Ossie Michalsen (Bergen, Norway/Soccer Academy of Danielsen). Tutich has started all 18 games, recording four goals and three assists for 11 points. The team's co-captain, Michalsen has been the Zips' leader on defense with 18 starts, helping lead Akron to nine shutouts on the season.

After earning All-MAC second team honors in 2005, senior defender Jonathan McClain (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne/Wright State) was named to the first team this season. Playing left back for the Zips, McClain is often the originator of the Akron offensive attack and has posted five assists in 18 starts.

Earning All-MAC honors for the first time in their careers were junior midfielder Steve Kalan (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield) and junior forward Pablo Moreira (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville). Kalan has been a force along the left flank for Akron and is tied for second on the team in goals scored with five, as well as total points with 14. Moreira has matched Kalan with five goals and four assists on the season, and is tied with Ubiparipovic with three game-winning goals in 18 starts.

Rounding out Akron's honorees are second-team selections senior forward Ashley Kozicki (Kresgeville, Pa./Pleasant Valley/St. John's) and junior defender Devin McKenney (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted/Dayton). Kozicki has been an offensive juggernaut for Akron in his final season in the blue and gold, recording seven goals and three assists for 17 points. Kozicki has appeared in 18 games, making 12 starts.

A transfer in his first season at Akron, McKenney stepped into the starting lineup at center back in the second game and has not looked back, helping to lead the Zips to a 0.86 goals-against average. McKenney also got into the scoring act with an assist in the Zips' 8-2 win over Bowling Green in the MAC Tournament semifinal.

Akron led all teams with eight selections, followed by Northern Illinois with six. The Zips' six first-team selections was twice as many as any other team and was just one off last year's league-record of seven. In 14 seasons of MAC play, Akron has had 59 first-team picks, the most among league schools.