The University of Akron Athletics
Zips open spring exhibition campaign in strong fashion
March 15 | Men's Soccer
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PITTSBUGH, Pa. – The Akron men's soccer team began its spring exhibition campaign in strong fashion on Sunday, March 15, as the Zips garnered a 1-1 tie versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the United Soccer League (USL) before edging Wright State in the nightcap, 2-1.
"I was pleased we were able to find a result in the first game against older more mature professional players," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "It was a very physical game where both teams worked hard. It is a game we can learn from but also gain confidence from. The second game we were OK in the first half and were unfortunate to be down a goal, but the second half we performed much better and scored two great goals. I was really happy with what I saw from the young players."
The Zips cracked the scoring column first in the 15th minute against the Riverhounds as Adi Dakwar (Upper Galili, Israel) delivered a goal off an assist from Victor Souto (Sao Paolo, Brazil).
Akron maintained the advantage until just before the end of the half in the 45th minute when Kevin Kerr connected on the equalizer to send the contest into the intermission tied at one.
Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.) nearly found the back of the net in the 60th minute as his chip hit the crossbar.
The Raiders scored a first-half tally to assume a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Anthony Macchione (Camas, Wash.) squared the tilt at one in the 53rd minute off assists from Sam Gainford (Whitehaven, England) and Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand).
Gainford registered what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute driving his shot off the post and into the net for a 2-1 Zips' lead.
Jake Fenlason (San Diego, Calif.) started the contest in goal versus Pittsburgh, while Jonny DeMoya (Olney, Md.) was in net against Wright State.
Following today's matches, Akron will travel down I-71 to battle the Columbus Crew in an exhibition tilt on Friday, March 20, at 1 p.m. before venturing back to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field to host Walsh later that same evening at 7 p.m.
2015 Akron Spring Schedule
Sun., March 15 - vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Tied, 1-1
Sun., March 15 - vs. Wright State (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Won, 2-1
Fri., March 20 - vs. Columbus Crew (Columbus, Ohio)/Walsh, FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, 1/7 p.m.
Sat., April 4 - at Louisville (Louisville, Ky.), 7 p.m.
Sat., April 11 - vs. Butler/Notre Dame College, FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, 5/7:30 p.m.
Sat., April 18 - vs. Sigma FC, FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, 6/8 p.m.
Sat., April 25 - vs. VCU, FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, 5/7 p.m.
