The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Wright State
Men's Soccer Routs Wright State In Exhibition Finale, 5-0
August 17 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – Senior Scott Caldwell played a role in three Zips' goals and junior Eric Stevenson found the net twice to lead The University of Akron men's soccer team to a 5-0 exhibition victory over Wright State in front of 2,124 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
It was the final tune-up for UA, which will officially kick off the regular season next Friday (Aug. 24) when Florida Gulf Coast comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. ET contest.
In all, the Zips, who dominated every statistical category, out-shot the Raiders 23-1 overall and 11-0 on frame. WSU's lone shot attempt was a long-range blast that sailed high early in the second half.
The Raiders, who are the preseason favorites in the Horizon League, chopped up play from the start; drawing three yellow cards in the first 11 minutes of the contest and had to play a man down after Findlay Milne was shown his second caution.
The Zips responded with a barrage of goals that quickly put the match out of reach. Caldwell led the charge by assisting the first two, then finished off a DeAndre Yedlin cross with a beautiful header from 12 yards out.
Not to be outdone, Stevenson, who scored UA's second goal in the 25th minute, found the net again at the 39:37 mark with an unstoppable strike from 16 yards that glanced off the left post and in. The Columbus native then capped off Akron's big first half by setting up Thomas Schmitt in the 41st minute.
Stevenson nearly completed the hat trick in the second half but his liner rang the cross bar in the 53rd minute. It was one of many scoring opportunities for Akron after the break, but goalkeeper Jacob Bye, who relieved starter Craig Feehan, made a pair of saves and a WSU defender came off the line twice to keep matters from getting worse for Wright State.
Also finding the net Friday was true freshman Dillon Serna, who got Akron on the board in the 21st minute following a long free kick from Caldwell.
In all, the Raiders committed 21 fouls, drew five yellow cards and had their second man sent off in the final minute of the contest.
Tickets for Friday night's regular-season opener and all men's 2012 contests start at $10 for General Admission, while Reserved Seats in the west bleachers are $15. The Single-Game Family Plan is $35 (General Admission seating). UA students with valid ID will be admitted free of charge.
Fans can purchase tickets online anytime at ZipsTickets.com, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).
