The University of Akron Athletics
Steve Zakuani Named MAC Player of the Week
November 05 | Men's Soccer
University of Akron freshman Steve
Zakuani was named the Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer
Player of the Week as he had a goal and an assist in helping the
Zips capture their 10th league title.
Zakuani (London, England/Gladesmore Community School) took a
team-best six shots, five of which were on goal this past week as
the Zips won at Oakland (2-1) and at Western Michigan (3-0). First,
Zakuani gave Akron a 1-0 lead at Oakland, making an impressive run
from midfield, drawing the defense to him and passing to an open Elliot
Bradbrook for a Zip goal. On Saturday at Western Michigan, he
and senior Pablo Moreira executed a give and go. Zakuani
passed to Moreira and got the ball back to score.
This season, Zakuani scored five goals, tying for tops on the team
with Moreira, Bradbrook and Matt
Tutich. However, four of Zakuani's goals came in league play,
helping the Zips out-score MAC opponents 10-0 and finish unbeaten
in league play.
As the top seed and host for the 2007 MAC Tournament, held at UA's
Lee Jackson Field Nov. 16 and 18, Akron will play the winner of
Northern Illinois-Bowling Green on Friday the 16th at 7:30 pm.
Buffalo, the number two seed, also drew a bye and will face the
winner of Hartwick-Western Michigan on the 16th at 5 pm. (Both
play-in games are set for Nov. 13 and will be played at Bowling
Green and Hartwick, respectively.) The MAC Tournament championship
game is set for Sunday (Nov. 18) at 2 pm. Tickets are $8 for adults
and $5 for children. University of Akron students will be admitted
for free with a valid UA ID.
Zakuani is the third Zip to be honored b the MAC this season.
First, Anthony Ampaipitakwong was named MAC Player of
the Week in the first week of the year. The freshman finished the
season with a team-best nine assists, ranking among the NCAA
leaders, and one goal. Bradbrook has been honored by the MAC twice
this season, earning Player of the Week and Male Student-Athlete of
the Week honors. Bradbrook, like Zakuani, has two assists to go
with his five goals this season.
