The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Insider: C.J.'s Corner Kicks
December 09 | 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 14th entry for GoZips.com:
MEDE-I-E-I-E-I-O To the College Cup we go!
Before the season started, the team had eight goals we wanted to accomplish. Just over four months and 23 games later, we have checked off seven of those goals with the biggest one remaining. The other seven were stepping-stones to set ourselves up to accomplish the final objective: bring a national championship to the University of Akron.
The win last Sunday against Stanford put us into the third round, otherwise known as the Elite Eight. Advancing to meet us was the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. They were able to edge Northwestern by a score of 1-0 in a rain-soaked game at home to earn the right to travel to Ohio.
As with every other week, the following days after the victory were used for rest and recovery. By the time Thursday rolled around, it was back to business, preparing for Tulsa. After practice I had a chance to eat at my favorite place in Akron, Diamond Deli. They occasionally cater our box lunches for road trips but there is nothing like going to the little homely establishment downtown and ordering my favorite sandwich. Also, they have the best brownies known to the human race.
Final preparations for Tulsa took place and before we knew it, Saturday was upon us. As always, our coaches gave us all the information we would need to be aware of Tulsa's strengths and weaknesses. They also did a great job in preparing us mentally so that we would be calm and collected for kickoff of this pressure-filled game.
It is typical for us to walk the game field the morning of the game to get a feel for its condition. Saturday morning was a special one as we were able to see the modifications to the west end of the stadium. Due to the high demand for tickets, the fence was torn down and around 1,500 additional bleacher seats were added behind the goal. It was great to envision the packed house we would have later that day.
We were presented with another surprise as we left our locker room to head out for pregame warm-ups. Walking up the stairs we could hear the beginnings of a serenade. As we walked out it was none other than all of the AK-Rowdies showing their support. Walking to the field with the entire group of student supporters behind us, letting us know they would follow us wherever we go not only gave me goose bumps but provided a memory that will last a lifetime.
As we walked into the stadium it was very apparent we would set a new attendance record and have a fitting atmosphere for the final home game of the year. 4,254 people showed up, smashing the old record of 2,806. The crowd's presence was made early and the game started with a matched intensity.
We were able to get on the board early, this time being put ahead by Kofi Sarkodie. Blair Gavin played a perfect through ball to hit Kofi in stride as he broke away and slipped home what would eventually be the game winner. Tulsa did not back down and continued to play unfazed despite the deficit. Our defense was able to absorb their pressure and survive the game with another shut out.
The final horn set off an immediate celebration as we were finally headed to the College Cup. There is no more talking about making it there; it is now a reality. After four months and 23 games, we are exactly where we expected to be, playing in the Final Four with a chance to win the National Championship.
We all thank you all for the support and words of encouragement you have provided all year long and will continue to give. The team is eager to get to Cary, North Carolina and start playing. We can't wait to hear our supporters in the stands cheering us as we pursue our ultimate goal.
In an effort to keep you updated and in touch with the experience you have helped us arrive at, I will be posting updates and pictures all weekend long. You can view these by following me on Twitter. I am @myman8 and will hope to give you a taste of what we are experiencing as a team.
Once again, thank you for all of the support this year. We look forward to representing the university and community of Akron in North Carolina and will do our best so that we can check off our eighth and final goal of the year: National Championship.
It's a great time to be a Zip.
Eat your vegetables, God bless.
-C.J. Kaufman, Jr. #8
