The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Insider: C.J.'s Corner Kicks
October 28 | Men's Soccer
To help chronicle 2009 University of Akron men's soccer season, senior midfielder C.J. Kaufman has agreed to provide Zips' fans, friends and alumni inside access throughout the year on GoZips.com.
What better source to get the scoop on the nation's No.1 team than through the eyes of one of its student-athletes? Check back every week to read the latest journal entry of "C.J.'s Corner Kicks" on GoZips.com!
Kaufman, a native of Tucson, Ariz., has been with the Zips since 2005 after earning first-team all-state honors as a senior at Salpointe Catholic High School. To his teammates and coaches, Kaufman is known as a hard worker with a positive attitude and the perfect example of what a student-athlete should be. In addition to his devotion on the field to the UA men's soccer program, Kaufman owns cumulative GPA of 3.431 as a civil engineering major and currently serves as the president of the University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
The following is Kaufman's eighth entry for GoZips.com:
With six of our last seven games on the road, it is with a breath of relief to say we look forward to playing our last three regular season games at home. Also, as long as everything goes to plan (fingers crossed), we will be at home all of the way until the College Cup. By finishing the season on a high note, we anticipate hosting the MAC tournament as well as receive a top-four seed that would allow us to host three NCAA tournament matches before heading to Cary, North Carolina. However, all of this depends on how we perform down the stretch and with a tough three games ahead, we will have to earn this right.
This last week presented us with two tough matches: one against Michigan and the other versus Buffalo. After returning back to Akron on Tuesday night with a victory over the Wolverines (talked about in last week's Corner Kicks), it was not long before we were on the bus again on Thursday headed for Buffalo. The four-hour bus ride meant only one thing for me: catching up on the "Saw" series. With the sixth episode of the movie thriller due out this past Friday, I found it necessary to catch up before seeing it. I was able to watch "Saw I" on the way home from Michigan and was ready for the second installment. Along with my X-Factor partner Enrique Paez, we were able to watch the second in the bus and the third once we arrived at the hotel.
The game on Friday was set for 7:30 at night. As with every night game on the road, we went to the game field for a jog and stretch the morning of. With the weather being quite cold and rainy, Coach (Caleb Porter) was quick to remind me that I wasn't in Arizona any more. This is always more than evident as I make it a point to bundle up as much as possible. The return to the warm hotel for a warm shower and nap was more than welcome by everyone. After pre-game meal, we had just enough time to squeeze in "Saw IV" before my ritual pre-game shower.
With our next attainable team goal being the regular season MAC champions, we knew the result against Buffalo would be an important one. While they have not had the same success this season they have had in the past few years, the Bulls always prove to be a tough opponent. With around 100 Rowdies not only out-numbering but also out-cheering the Buffalo support, we were able to dominate the possession and win by a score of 1-0. Teal Bunbury extended his hot streak by scoring the games' only goal, his 12th overall. Another huge THANK YOU to all of the Rowdies who came to support us.
With another four hours to spare, "Saw V" was viewed - finishing my review of the series. The late return home on Friday night allowed for a late morning wake-up on Saturday. The day off was spent trying to catch up on school as well as a day to take care of a few injuries on the team. Thankfully I am about 97 percent recovered (still haven't caught my runny nose) from my sinus infection, therefore allowing me to not miss our Mariachi's Locos trip for the second straight week. This week was a special trip as a few members of the volleyball and softball team joined in on the festivities.
Practice on Sunday was not until 5:00, allowing more than enough time after lunch to finally see "Saw VI". The movie was all I anticipated it to be, tying up all of the loose ends. I am not sure how they intend to make two more but am excited to hear the seventh will be in 3-D.
The leaves falling off the trees and the frost on the pumpkin
are always a reminder that the end of the season is upon us. As
always, we look forward to this week's game against Penn State with
great anticipation. They are a talented team who are enjoying a
successful season thus far. While we have enjoyed our traveling
support, there is nothing like playing at home in front of all of
our friends and family. Don't forget to vote for Ben.
It's a great time to be a Zip.
Eat your vegetables, God bless.
-C.J. Kaufman, Jr. #8
The Zips open a three-game homestand Wednesday night against Penn State starting at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field.
