The University of Akron Athletics
Men?s Soccer Ready for Exhibitions
August 22 | Men's Soccer
AKRON – Akron's men's soccer team had its final intra-squad scrimmage Wednesday morning on Schrank Field. After a workout Thursday, the team will begin to see live action, playing in two exhibition games this weekend.
On Friday, the Zips, who are the Mid-American Conference preseason favorite, will travel to Fort Wayne, Ind., to face Big Ten foe Michigan State. Two days later (Sunday, Aug. 26) Akron will host Cleveland State in an exhibition at Lee Jackson Field with start time set for 5 pm.
"Today's scrimmage went well," said head coach Caleb Porter. "I had very high expectations for this team coming into the preseason and am pleased that we are were I hoped we would be at this point."
Akron has a veteran squad returning, including nine lettermen and four first team All-MAC picks, and has the fifth-best recruiting class in the nation taking the pitch this fall.
"We have a number of established players who possess a lot of skill and leadership," Porter said. "Then you add to the mix an influx of young players who only bolster what was already a solid team. I am very excited to play Michigan State and host Cleveland State. They will be two good tests for us as we prepare for the season opener."
Akron begins the regular season on Friday, Aug. 31, when it plays host to New Mexico at 7:30 pm as part of the third-annual Westfield Insurance Cup at Lee Jackson Field. Akron's second game of the Westfield Cup will be versus Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday, Sept. 2, at 5 pm.
