The University of Akron Athletics
Ampaipitakwong Earns National Acclaim Following Heroics
November 23 | Men's Soccer
Junior Anthony Ampaipitakwong was
named National Player of the Week by College Soccer News Monday following
his two-goal performance against South Florida in the second round
of the NCAA Tournament Sunday.
The midfielder from Carrollton, Texas, produced a pair of
highlight-reel worthy goals to power the Zips (21-0-0) to a 2-0
victory before a record crowd of 2,700 fans and into the Round of
16 for the second consecutive season. Akron will host Stanford
(12-5-2), which defeated 15th-seeded UC Irvine, 1-0, Sunday at 4
p.m. at Lee Jackson Field. Click here for ticket information.
Ampaipitakwong, a Hermann Trophy candidate, scored the first goal
of the contest off a direct free kick from 23 yards in the 25th
minute by wrapping the ball just inside the left post and into the
upper right corner of the net. Then, in the 33rd minute, he
delivered again with another brilliant goal - this time pushing the
ball just inside the right post from 22 yards out. Ampaipitakwong
is third on the team with seven goals on the season - four of which
have been game-winners.
Ampaipitakwong, an NSCAA All-American in 2008, is the third UA
player to receive National Player of the Week honors, following Michael
Nanchoff (Sept. 22) and Teal Bunbury (Nov. 3).
Nanchoff was honored by by Soccer America while Bunbury
earned his distinction from College Soccer News as
well.
Akron, which is competing in its 24th NCAA postseason, is making
its fifth appearance all-time in the Sweet 16 of the prestigious
event. The Zips are currently riding the second longest,
single-season win streak in NCAA history with 21 consecutive
victories. Indiana owns the current high mark with 23, set in
1997.
