The University of Akron Athletics
Najem Earns National Honors
November 04 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio — Akron sophomore midfielder Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.) garnered national recognition for his efforts in a pair of Zips' victories last week as he was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com and the College Soccer News National Men's Soccer Team of the Week on Tuesday.
Additionally, Najem was selected as the Mid-American Conference Men's Soccer co-Player of the Week and Zips' Student-Athlete of the Week on Monday.
The team captain helped Akron to two wins on the week.
In the 5-0 shutout over Cleveland State (Oct. 28), Najem netted the first hat trick of his career. He scored the game-winner, and eight minutes later, added an insurance goal. Before halftime, he recorded his third goal on the night. Najem became the first Zip to tally a hat trick since Reinaldo Brenes did it in a 4-0 win over Buffalo on Sept. 29, 2012.
In the 2-1 victory at Northern Illinois (Nov. 1), Najem garnered the game-winning goal on a penalty kick in the 82nd minute.
Najem has started all 15 games this fall en route to leading the team with 10 goals, two assists, and 22 points. He is a perfect 3-for-3 in penalty kicks.
Najem is the second Akron player to be tabbed to the TopDrawerSoccer.com National Men's Soccer Team of the Week this season, joining junior forward Sean Sepe (Islip, N.Y.), who collected accolades on Sept. 30
Akron (10-5-1, 3-1 MAC) travels to No. 16 Penn State on Wednesday, Nov. 5 for a 7 p.m. contest before hosting Buffalo on Senior Night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
