The University of Akron Athletics
Pair of Zips earn NSCAA/Continental Tire All-Great Lakes Region accolades
December 11 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio - Akron sophomore men's soccer player Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.) and senior Saad Abdul-Salaam (Gahanna, Ohio) have been tabbed 2014 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire All-Great Lakes Region selections.
Najem garnered first-team accolades, while Abdul-Salaam was named a second-team honoree.
It marks the 12th-consecutive season and 15th time since 1999 in which the Zips have had a player on the first-team All-Region squad. Najem and Abdul-Salaam are the 39th and 40th players, respectively, in the history of the Akron men's soccer program to be so honored.
The Zips have now been recognized 63 times since 1997 with their inclusion on the All-Great Lakes Regional teams.
A first-team All-Mid-American Conference honoree, Najem started all 21 games for Akron and led the Zips in goals (14), points (32), shots on goal (27) and game-winning tallies (4), while ranking second in assists (4) and shots (48). He scored goals in 12 of the Zips' 21 games, including a three-goal explosion in a 5-0 win over Cleveland State. He is ranked fourth, fifth, eighth, eighth and 24th, respectively, in the NCAA in total goals, total points, goals per game, points per contest and game-winning goals.
A first-team All-MAC performer, Abdul-Salaam started all 21 games for the Zips registering two goals and a team-high six assists. He recorded 17 shots, including five on goal, and finished third on the squad in scoring with 10 points. He is ranked 55th nationally in total assists (6) with three of those assists coming on game-winning goals.
