The University of Akron Athletics
Zakuani Earns Acclaim From MAC and National Media
September 08 | Men's Soccer
A day after begin named Offensive MVP of the University of Akron
Tournament, Zips' sophomore Steve
Zakuani brought home three more individual awards Monday.
Zakuani was named Mid-American Conference Player of the Week for
the second straight time in addition to being named to the College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer National Team of
the Week.
The 2007 MAC Newcomer of the Year and current Hermann Trophy
candidate recorded a pair of game-winners and added an assist as
the Zips shut out preseason No. 15 West Virginia, 1-0, and edged
previously undefeated Cincinnati, 2-1, to win the University of
Akron Tournament this weekend.
Zakuani accounted for the game's only score against the
Mountaineers, an NCAA Sweet 16 finalist a year ago, Friday. The
speedy forward took a pass from Ben
Zemanski, crossed to midfield and fired true on a line drive
into the back left corner of the net from about 20 yards out.
Then, in the tournament title match against the Bearcats Sunday,
Zakuani assisted a goal that pulled the Zips even before knocking
home the go-ahead score on a breakaway before the half. For his
efforts, the native of London, England was named to the
all-tournament team in addition to Offensive MVP honors.
Zakuani has been named MAC Player of the Week in each of the past
two weeks and three times for his career overall. The second-year
star was a College Soccer News All-Freshman Team honoree
and the MAC's Newcomer of the Year last season. He is one of 48
players to have been named to the Hermann Trophy Award Watch List
in 2008.
The Zips (3-0-1) will look to continue their winning ways this
weekend at the Nike Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. They will
face host New Mexico (2-1-1) Friday night at 9 p.m. EST and
Missouri State (0-3-1) Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Notable Zakuani Superlatives
Hermann Trophy Watch List (2008)
Soccer America Preseason All-American (2008)
College Soccer News Player to Watch (2008)
Two-Time Mid-American Conference Player of the Week (2008)
MAC Newcomer of the Year (2007)
College Soccer News All-Freshman Team (2007)
All-Great Lakes Region First Team (2007)
All-MAC First Team (2007)
