The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Soccer Announces Additions to Coaching Staff
August 01 | Women's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – Keri Sarver and Mike Lambeck have been named assistant coaches for The University of Akron women's soccer team, interim head coach Vernon Croft announced Wednesday.
Each hire is pending approval by the University Board of Trustees.
"We're very excited to have Keri and Mike join our staff," said Croft. "With these two additions, we have every piece of staff in place that will allow us to be successful as a program."
An accomplished club coach, Sarver has been the director of coaching for the Internationals Soccer Club in Cleveland since 2008, where she trained coaches and managers, organized team training, camps and tryouts, and oversaw the club's scheduling and travel needs.
As a staff coach with the Internationals since 2005, Sarver was involved with all aspects of team training with girls' teams ages 8-18. During that time, Sarver's clubs captured over 30 Ohio Youth Soccer Association North State (OYSAN) Championships, while three teams advanced to the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) National Finals and five won United Soccer Leagues Super-Y League National Championships. Sarver helped develop six U.S. Youth National Team pool players and placed over 100 players at various colleges throughout the country.
Sarver also assisted with the Internationals W-League team from 2007-09 after working with the club as a trainer from 1995-2004. In 2009, Sarver was honored as the USYSA Girls Competitive National Coach of the Year, as well as the OYSAN and Region II Girls Competitive Coach of the Year.
In addition to her work with the Internationals, Sarver has coached with the United States Soccer Federation Youth National Teams Program.
As a player, Sarver was an All-American at Massillon Jackson High School and the University of Maryland. She also played professional soccer with the Washington Freedom, New York Power and Carolina Courage of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA).
"With Keri's experience as a player and as a coach as a part of the U.S. National Team staff, she brings a wealth of knowledge, respect and coaching ability to our student-athletes," said Croft.
Lambeck, who will work with UA's goalkeepers, was a four-year starter between the pipes at Wittenberg University, where helped the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 2008. In 2010, he was an All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection and named the team's most valuable player. For his career, Lambeck made 318 saves, the second-best total in program history.
As a coach, Lambeck served at Akron's summer soccer camp as a goalkeeper coach and at the Buckeye Soccer Camp. He also worked with the Team Ohio F.C. and Team Dayton clubs as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach.
"Mike's ability as a goalkeeper coach, along with being a recent college goalkeeper himself, will allow him to relate well to our young goalkeeping corps," said Croft.
The Zips begin the 2012 season on Sunday, Aug. 5 with a home exhibition match against Duquesne at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET and is free for all fans. Live stats and a live video stream will be available.
The regular season begins on Friday, Aug. 17 when the Zips host Morehead State at 5 p.m. Akron returns seven starters and 20 letter winners.
Croft was named Akron's interim head coach on June 8.
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