The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Garner Host of Awards from Top Drawer Soccer
November 19 | Men's Soccer
The University of Akron men's soccer program was well
represented when Top Drawer Soccer released its
postseason awards Thursday.
In all, four UA players were named to the web site's Team of the
Season and while first-year goalkeeper David Meves was named to the
All-Rookie Team.
Sophomore forwards Teal Bunbury and Darlington
Nagbe, who have teamed up to form one of the nation's most
dangerous attacking duos this year, headlined the list, earning
First Team and Second Team honors, respectively. Junior Anthony
Ampaipitakwong, a Hermann Trophy Watch List selection, and
freshman defender Zarek Valentin, the MAC
Newcomer of the Year, were named Honorable Mention.
It has been a breakout season of epic proportions for Bunbury, who
is tied for the nation's lead with 16 goals this year. The native
of Prior Lake, Minn., has been the driving force on the Zips' No.
1-ranked attack all year after netting six goals during his rookie
campaign. The 2009 MAC Player of the Year has recorded at least one
point in each of his last seven games and in all but four this
season.
Along the way, Bunbury recorded four multiple-goal performances and
was named National Player of the Week by College Soccer
News after recording game-winning goals in back-to-back games
at Buffalo and against Penn State in late October. Additionally,
Bunbury was named to Top Drawer Soccer's National Team of
the Week twice and MAC Player of the Week three times this
season.
In a similar light, Nagbe has also enjoyed a career season in 2009.
The forward is second on the team with 10 goals after finding the
net twice last year. On top of that, the native of Lakewood, Ohio,
has been exceptional with the game on the line with five
game-winning goals to his credit - including both in last weekend's
MAC Tournament.
Nagbe, an All-MAC First Team selection, recorded the team's lone
hat trick of the year with three goals and an assist to fuel a 5-1
win at Michigan in October. For his efforts, he was named to
national teams of the week by Soccer America, Top
Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News in addition to
being tabbed MAC Player of the Week.
In all, Bunbury and Nagbe have combined to record nine game-winners
this fall.
Ampaipitakwong has continued to excell as the playmaker on UA's
vaunted attack. The crafty midfielder has scored five goals while
assisting five others this fall as an All-MAC First Team honoree.
The native of Carrollton, Texas, recorded game-winning goals
against Hartwick (Nov. 7), Western Michigan (Oct. 10) and Tulsa
(Sept. 6) this year while picking up Top Drawer Soccer
National Team of the Week honors last month.
Valentin has help guide a Zips' defense that is leading the nation
in shutout percentage (.700) and is third in goals-against-average
(0.35). UA allowed three goals through its first 16 matches and
just seven all year. Furthermore, the Zips have allowed more than
one goal just one time in 2009 and are on-ine to break the school
record for GAA (0.45), originally set last season.
Along those lines, Meves has been equally exceptional in his first
year of collegiate competition. The native of Arlington Heights,
Ill., was named to TDS's All-Rookie Second Team after posting a GAA
of 0.36 through the first 20 games, which is on-line to rewrite the
program's individual record of 0.46, set by Evan Bush in 2008.
Meves was at his best in a 3-0 shotout of Penn State at Lee Jackson
Field in late October. The rookie recorded a season-high five saves
and displayed keen instincts to preserve the Zips' 13th shutout of
the year. For his efforts all year long, Meves was named to the
All-MAC Second Team and earned the league's Player of the Week
award in September.
The Zips, who captured their sixth MAC Tournament title in eight
years last weekend, will participate in their 24th NCAA Tournament
Sunday at Lee Jackson Field. As the No. 1 seed, UA will host the
winner of Stetson at South Florida at 4 p.m.
2009 Top Drawer
Soccer Team of the Season
1st Team
GK Brian Perk, UCLA
D Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Connecticut
D Ike Opara, Wake Forest
M Corben Bone, Wake Forest
M Michael Thomas, Notre Dame
M Kyle Nakazawa, UCLA
F Bright Dike, Notre Dame
F Danny Mwanga, Oregon State
F Andrew Hoxie, William & Mary
F Teal Bunbury, Akron
F Irving Garcia, UC Irvine
2nd Team
GK Zac MacMath, Maryland
D Phil Edginton, Louisville
D Mark Blades, Northwestern
D Bobby Warshaw, Stanford
M Toni Stahl, Connecticut
M Ashley McInnes, Tulsa
M JC Banks, Wisconsin-Green Bay
F Andre Akpan, Harvard
F Matt Eliason, Northwestern
F Darlington Nagbe, Akron
F Will Bruin, Indiana
3rd Team
GK Jeff Attinella, South Florida
D Doug Verhoff, Ohio State
D AJ Soares, California
D Ryan Peterman, San Diego
M Michael Farfan, North Carolina
M Danny Barrera, UC Santa
Barbara
F Jason Herrick, Maryland
F Colin Rolfe, Louisville
F Sverre Wegge Gundhus, St.
John's
F Sam Maheu, St. Bonaventure
F Garrett Webb, Drake
Honorable Mention
Avery Steinlage, Michigan State;
Austin Guerrero, Portland; Richard
Martinez, Hofstra; Indy Smith, UNC Wilmington; Tim Ream, St. Louis; Zarek Valentin, Akron; Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Akron; Corey Hertzog, Penn State; Ryan Kinne, Monmouth; Michael Seamon, Villanova; Isaac Kissi, Dayton; Austin Neil, Tulsa; Two Boys Gumede, UAB; Mauro Fuzetti, Michigan; Steffen Vroom, DePaul; Zach Schilawski, Wake Forest; Alan Sanchez, NC State
