The University of Akron Athletics
Akron closes out spring exhibition campaign battling VCU
April 23 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio - The Akron men's soccer team is set to conclude it spring exhibition campaign this Sunday, April 26, as the Zips welcome VCU to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field for a pair of matches at 5 and 7 p.m.
The Rams, who are led by former Zips assistant Dave Giffard, registered a pair of victories over nationally-ranked opponents last fall as VCU bested No. 6 Georgetown (2-1 in OT) and 20th-rated George Mason (3-0).
The contests mark the final spring tests for the Zips in advance of their 2015 campaign. Akron opens its fall season at VCU on Aug. 28.
All spring exhibition matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field are open to the public and free of charge.
Sparked by a three-goal evening from Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.), Akron registered a 5-1 exhibition victory past Sigma FC on Saturday, April 18, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
Sigma FC, a Canadian soccer academy based in Toronto, Ontario, which competes in Leauge1 Ontario, scored the game's first goal to take an early 1-0 lead on what proved to be its only shot on goal of the half at the 7:57 mark.
Less than four minutes later in the 12th minute (11:43), Najem netted the equalizer off an assist from Bryce Cregan (Dallastown, Pa.).
The Zips went ahead for good in the contest when Najem struck for his second goal of the half at the 14:10 mark courtesy of an assist by Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand).
Capping the hat trick with his third goal in the 21st minute (20:41) was Najem. Registering the assist on the tally was Sam Gainford (Whitehaven, England).
Adi Dakwar (Upper Galili, Israel) extended Akron's lead to 4-1 at the 33:46 mark redirecting a shot by Gainford that deflected off the hands of Sigma FC's goalkeeper.
The Zips outshot Sigma FC in the initial stanza, 20-3, including 14-1 on goal.
Brent Nanchoff (North Royalton, Ohio) gave Akron a 5-1 lead in the 68th minute (67.35) with a goal off a free kick.
The Zips finished the half outshooting Sigma FC, 12-4, including 4-0 on net.
On the evening, Akron registered a 32-7 advantage in shots, including 18-1 on goal.
Limited Reserved Bleacher Back ($110) and General Admission ($60) season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to GoZips.com/tickets, 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) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 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), Lost, 1-6
Fri., March 20 - vs. Walsh, FirstEnergy Stadium, Won, 6-0
Sat., April 4 - at Louisville (Louisville, Ky.), Tied, 1-1
Sat., April 11 - vs. Butler, FirstEnergy Stadium, Won, 3-0
Sat., April 11 - vs. Notre Dame College, FirstEnergy Stadium, Lost, 0-5
Sat., April 18 - vs. Sigma FC, FirstEnergy Stadium, Won, 5-1
Sun., April 26 - vs. VCU, FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, 5/7 p.m. *
*the games have been moved from April 25 to April 26
