The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Soccer Officially Kicks Off Preseason With First Practice
August 14 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – The No. 8 University of Akron men's soccer team officially took to the field for the first time Wednesday with its initial training session of the 2013 season.
It was the first practice led by new head coach Jared Embick, who had served the past six seasons as Caleb Porter's top assistant and recruiting coordinator.
Amid intermittent drizzle, the Zips trained for an hour-and-a-half at Shrank Field in what felt like a true fall afternoon. With another training session scheduled later in the day, it was the first of eight, two-a-day practices leading up to Akron's season-opening weekend at the College of Charleston Tournament from Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
Fans will have two opportunities to see the Zips in action before that happens however. UA will host an open-to-the-public, intrasquad scrimmage this Friday, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, then welcome Marshall for its first of two exhibition matches next Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. ET. There is no charge for the intrasquad scrimmage while the exhibition match is a ticketed event.
The Zips went 18-1-3 last fall en route to advancing to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive season. UA's roster features five returning starters, including top goal-scorer Reinaldo Brenes and veteran defender Bryan Gallego, nine returning letterwiners and 13 newcomers.
Season and single-game tickets for the 2013 campaign can be purchased online anytime at ZipsTickets.com, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-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).
