The University of Akron Athletics
Sunday's Akron Soccer Game Moved to Northwestern
November 28 | Men's Soccer
Despite being awarded the fifth-highest seed in the country and
winning its second-round game against Ohio State Wednesday, the
NCAA Men's Soccer Committee recently ruled that the University of
Akron men's soccer team will travel to unseeded Northwestern for
its third round match-up in the NCAA Tournament.
The University of Akron is currently organizing fan buses to
Northwestern for Sunday's match. The only cost to the fan will be
the price of the game ticket and food. Further details regarding
the bus schedule, eating arrangements and more will be posted on
GoZips.com as soon as they are finalized.
"I am very disappointed that as the No. 5 seed, we have to travel
to Northwestern," said UA head coach Caleb
Porter. "However, we will make the best of this situation and
prepare to face a very tough Northwestern squad. Our players will
face this challenge head on in hopes of getting back home to Lee
Jackson Field for the quarterfinals. This team is on a mission and
having to play on the road is not going to change that."
With a top eight seed, the Zips (17-1-4) earned the privilege of a
first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament and at least two home games.
But after No. 4 seed Michigan State's loss to Chicago-Illinois in
the second round, UA was granted the advantage of hosting all the
way through the quarterfinals.
"I am very disappointed for our student-athletes who worked so hard
to achieve the number five overall seed and our great fans who
supported this team in grand fashion throughout the year," said UA
director of athletics Mack Rhoades. "Equally
disappointing is the process in which this decision was
finalized.
"I support the NCAA and its commitment to the greater well-being of
all participating student-athletes. I do not believe we were
provided a fair opportunity to prepare and/or analyze the readiness
of our field for Sunday's match. We have a wonderful grounds crew
who worked tirelessly to prepare the field for Tuesday's match
however weather and time were not on their side. I liked our
chances to have provided a safe playing surface for Sunday.
"We have notified the NCAA our field will be ready in the event we
beat a very good Northwestern team," Rhoades added. "Special thanks
to all our fans who have contacted the athletics department these
past 24 hours in support of our men's soccer program. We do have
plans in place for a new soccer facility and look forward to the
time when this can be a reality."
An abundance of precipitation, mixed in with harsh winter weather
conditions, made the surface of Lee Jackson Field unplayable for
Tuesday's originally scheduled second round match-up with Ohio
State. As a result, the game was postponed to Wednesday and the
site was moved to the field turf stadium at nearby St. Vincent-St.
Mary High School.
The announcement by the NCAA committee that Sunday's third-round
match-up between Akron and Northwestern will be played in Evanston,
Ill., was made following UA's 1-0 double overtime victory over OSU
Wednesday and was based on the possibility that the surface of Lee
Jackson Field would not be playable.
According to NCAA regulations in place for the soccer
championships, if it is determined in advance that a match cannot
be played at the higher seed's home field, the site must be moved
to the other participating school's home field.
Sunday's game will begin at 2 p.m. (EST). Follow the action on-line
by clicking here.
