The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Soccer Hosts Western Michigan on Saturday at 7 p.m.
October 23 | Men's Soccer
GAMENOTES IN PDF
Match #14: Western Michigan (7-4-3, 1-0-1) at No. 19/22 Akron (8-4-1, 2-0)
Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 • 7 p.m. ET
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field • Akron, Ohio
Webstream • Live Stats
THIS WEEK
Akron returns home to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field to host Western Michigan in MAC play on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. GoZips will carry the game live online with David Suntup (play-by-play) and former Zip Reinaldo Brenes (analyst) calling the action.
Under the guidance of second-year head coach Jared Embick, the No. 19/22 Zips stand 8-4-1 overall and 2-0 in MAC play after a 3-2 win over West Virginia on Oct. 18.
After 13 matches, sophomore MF Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.) is the Zips' leading scorer with six goals, two assists, and 14 points. Freshman F Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand) follows with four goals, three assists, and 11 points. In goal, junior Jake Fenlason (San Diego, Calif.) has started all 13 games and has a 0.82 goals-against average. He has 55 saves in 1,210 minutes of action.
The Western Michigan Broncos, under the tutelage of second-year head coach Chad Wiseman, stand 7-4-3 overall and 1-0-1 in MAC play after a 3-0 win over Northern Illinois on Oct. 18. The two sides played a scoreless first half, but WMU erupted for three second half goals. Sophomore Hunter Vandenboom gave Western Michigan a 1-0 lead in the 51st minute, scoring his second goal of the season.
After 14 matches, junior D Connor Furgason is the team leader with four goals, two assist, and 10 points. Junior MF Nick Wysong and junior MF Sean Conerty follow with nine points apiece. Wysong has three goals and three assists, while Conerty has a team-best and MAC-best nine assists. In goal, junior Chase Rau has 35 saves and a 1.37 GAA in 11 starts. Redshirt freshman Drew Shepherd, who played the entire 90 minutes in the shutout of NIU, has eight saves and a 0.99 GAA in four games (two starts).
HOLTHUSEN NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Freshman F Stuart Holthusen was named the Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Week on Oct. 20.
The freshman helped Akron to two home wins on the week, extending the Zips' home unbeaten streak.
In the 3-0 shutout of Michigan, Holthusen put the Zips on the scoreboard in the sixth minute in what would end up as the game-winning goal.
In the 3-2 MAC win over West Virginia, the Zips were down 2-0 when Holthusen found the back of the net to pull UA within one and restore the team's momentum. One minute later, teammate Adam Najem tied the game. Holthusen's goal was up for Top Drawer Soccer's Goal of the Week.
This fall Holthusen has played in all 13 games with five starts as a true freshman. He is second in team scoring with four goals, two assists, and 10 points.
Holthusen is the third Zip to receive weekly recognition from the MAC. Sophomore midfielder Adam Najem (Oct. 6) and junior goalkeeper Jake Fenlason (Oct. 13) also earned MAC accolades this fall.
AKRON-WMU: THE SERIES
Saturday night's game is the 37th meeting between Akron and Western Michigan in series history (since 1975). The Zips lead, 32-2-2.
Last fall, the squads met twice. During regular-season play, the Zips claimed a 2-1 win in Kalamazoo on Nov. 9. During the MAC championship at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Nov. 17, Akron won again, 4-1, en route to its 10th MAC Championship.
SMART COOKIES
Four Akron Zips have been nominated for the 2014 CoSIDA Academic All-America Team. To be eligible, student-athletes must have a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.30 or better and be a starter or significant reserve. Representing the Zips are GK Jake Fenlason, MF Adam Najem, D Brad Ruhaak, and D Andrew Sounders. The district Academic teams will be announced on Oct. 30. District honorees are then forwarded to the national ballot. The Academic All-America Team will be announced on Nov. 25.
IN THE POLLS
Akron moved into several national polls this week (Oct. 21).The Zips are No. 19 in the NCAA.com poll and ranked No. 22 by Top Drawer Soccer. College Soccer News lists Akron at No. 29 on its Top 30 poll. The Zips are No. 31 in the NSCAA.com. Complete polls are list on page 4.
UP NEXT
Akron hosts Cleveland State in non-conference action on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
