The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Oakland
Zips register 4-1 triumph past Oakland in exhibition opener
August 18 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio - Senior Sean Sepe (West Islip, N.Y.) exploded for a three-goal evening to spark the Akron men's soccer team to a 4-1 triumph past Oakland in exhibition play on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
The Zips dominated the pace of play in the affair registering a 21-6 advantage in shots, including 12-4 on goal.
Sepe finished the contest with a match-high five shots for Akron, while sophomore Richie Laryea (Toronto, Ontario) and redshirt sophomore Sam Gainford (Whitehaven, England) added four and three shots. The Golden Grizzlies were led by two shots from Matt Dudley.
Sepe gave the Zips a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute (4:11) striking a ball past Oakland goalkeeper Eliott Tarney. The tally was set up off a shot by sophomore Stuart Holthusen's (Auckland, New Zealand) that deflected off of Tarney.
The Zips had opportunities to extend their margin in the first half, but Akron took a 1-0 lead into the intermission. The Zips posted a 13-2 margin in shots in the initial stanza.
Sepe found the back of the net just 14 seconds into the second half to extend the margin to 2-0 off a pass from Gainford at the 45:14 mark.
Fifty-one seconds later at the 46:05 mark, Sepe capped the hat trick clearing the deflection off of goalkeeper Wes Mink into the back of the net to give the Zips a 3-0 advantage.
Vittorio Sbrocca spoiled the shutout for Akron connecting on a goal in the 64th minute (63:44) to cut Oakland's deficit to 3-1.
Wrapping up the scoring in the affair with a successful penalty kick at the 81:05 mark was redshirt freshman Ezana Kahsay (Buffalo, N.Y.).
Senior Jake Fenlason (San Diego, Calif.) went the distance in goal for Akron registering three saves, while Tarney and Mink each collected four stops for Oakland.
Akron head coach Jared Embick found playing time for 21 Zips in regulation, while the remainder of the available roster found playing time in the extra 30-minute session, which was contested after the match was completed.
The Zips will close out their exhibition campaign on Saturday, Aug. 22, welcoming Bradley to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt.
– AKRON ZIPS –
The Zips will open their 2015 campaign traveling to VCU for a season-opening contest on Aug. 28 in Richmond, Va. Akron will battle Bradley in exhibition action on Saturday, Aug. 22, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
Limited Reserved Bleacher Back ($110) and General Admission ($60) season tickets as well as individual-game 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.
