The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
VCU
Men's Soccer set to open 2015 campaign at VCU
August 27 | Men's Soccer
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MATCH NOTES NO. 1 VS. VCU (PDF)
No. 24 Akron (0-0) at VCU (0-0)
Friday, Aug. 28
SportsBackers Stadium (3,250)
Richmond, Va. • 7:30 p.m.
Live Stats: www.vcuathletics.com
Webstream (subscription-based): www.vcuathletics.com
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team will opens its 2015 campaign on Friday, Aug. 28, as the Zips travel to Richmond, Va., to battle VCU. Match time at SportsBackers Stadium is slated for approximately 7:30 p.m.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
VCU enters its home contest versus Akron receiving votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll. The Rams suffered a 1-0 setback in their lone exhibition match of the fall versus North Carolina State. VCU posted a 7-8-5 ledger in 2014, including a 4-1-3 record in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Rams' leading returning scorer is senior Dennis Castillo, who registered two goals, while adding an assist on 19 shots from his defender's position. Redshirt senior Garrett Cyprus returns in net for VCU after recording 58 saves en route to posting a 0.62 goals against average and nine shutouts in 2014.
The Rams, who are led by former Zips' assistant Dave Giffard, registered a pair of victories over nationally-ranked opponents last fall besting No. 6 Georgetown (2-1 in OT) and 20th-rated George Mason (3-0).
SERIES HISTORY
Friday's match marks the second regular season meeting between Akron and VCU. The then 19th-rated Rams registered a 1-0 triumph past the Zips at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field on Sept. 13, 2013.
The two squads met this past spring in exhibition action with Akron and VCU splitting a pair of matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. A successful penalty kick for the Rams in the 51st-minute (50:20) proved to be the lone tally in the opening match as VCU was able to withstood a late charge by the Zips to register a 1-0 triumph. The Zips finished the affair registering a 25-10 advantage in shots in the match. The nightcap was a lone 45-minute period, one in which the Zips outshot the Rams, 7-2, including 2-0 on net, en route to earning a 1-0 victory.
THE COACHES
VCU: Dave Giffard is in his sixth season as head coach of the Rams' program, owning a 49-34-18 (.574) record.
Akron: In his third year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and ninth season overall, is Jared Embick, who has a 30-10-3 mark (.733), including 77-31-13 (.693) overall, in his seventh year as a head coach.
AKRON HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
Jared Embick, who had previously served as the Zips' associate head coach and recruiting coordinator, officially became the seventh head coach in the history of The University of Akron men's soccer program in December of 2012.
The 2015 campaign marks his third year leading the Zips have registered a 30-10-3 (.733) ledger after going 13-6-2 a season ago.
During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 140-23-19 (.821), including a 44-2-1 (.947) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing seven conference tournament titles, eight trips to the NCAA Tournament and two appearances in an NCAA final.
Akron entered the 2014 season seeking to reload the Zips' talented foundation with a young squad following the departure of six starters from a 2013 team that posted a 17-4-1 record and a No. 7 national ranking.
Recording their 14th consecutive double-digit victory campaign, the Zips finished the season with a 13-6-2 ledger, including 4-1-0 mark in the Mid-American Conference. Akron's efforts were rewarded as the Zips earned the MAC's regular season and tournament crowns en route to collecting a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the 29th time in program history.
The Zips became one of just six Division I programs to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the past eight seasons with their 29th overall selection.
Led by Adam Najem, Saad Abdul-Salaam, Jake Fenlason and Andrew Souders, who were selected as first-team All-MAC men's soccer selections, seven Akron student-athletes garnered All-MAC accolades a year ago. Additionally, Stuart Holthusen, Richie Laryea and Victor Souto were recognized as second-team selections.
The Zips came into the campaign maintaining a No. 13 preseason ranking by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as well as being tabbed preseason No. 14, 15 and 23 by TopDrawerSoccer.com, College Soccer News and Soccer America, respectively.
Akron's opening night line-up featured seven players making their initial collegiate starts for the Zips, while six first-year players took to the field at No. 5 New Mexico.
Individually, Najem, who garnered first-team All-Great Lake Regional honors, ranked fourth, fifth, eighth, eighth and 24th in the NCAA in goals scored (14), total points (32), goals per game (0.67), points per match (1.52) and game-winning goals (4). Jake Fenlason was equally impressive in goal rating 27th, 32nd and 53rd nationally in goals against average (.785), save percentage (.811) and total saves (73).
In January, 2015, Abdul-Salaam became the 10th Zip to have his name called during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft with his selection 12th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City.
Due in large part to Embick's recruiting efforts, Akron identified and secured some of the best prospects in the country – and around the world – with top-five recruiting classes in each of the past five seasons. The Zips' classes of 2012 and 2009 were ranked No. 1 in the country, while the classes of 2011 and 2010 each received a No. 2 designation.
More importantly, Akron's recruits have flourished in the Zips' system, which features a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball. In total, Embick recruited or helped develop 24 players who have gone on to play professionally either in MLS or overseas since 2007.
The success of this formula was no more evident than at the 2011 MLS SuperDraft where seven Zips had their names called, including five with the first eight selections overall, to set a pair of MLS records.
Embick has also served as a staff coach with the Under-16 and Under-18 U.S. Soccer Development Academy's Cleveland Internationals club team for the past five years.
Prior to joining the Zips, Embick spent four seasons (2003-06) as the head men's soccer coach at Missouri Baptist University where he led the Spartans to a record of 47-21-8 and the program's first NAIA regional tournament berth in 2003. In all, Embick spent six seasons at MBU, including two seasons as a graduate assistant (2000-01) and one season as an assistant coach (2002).
During his time at Missouri Baptist, Embick also served as assistant coach for River Cities FC of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) whom he helped lead to a 13-2-1 record in its inaugural season and an appearance in the WPSL national final.
A 2000 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan, Embick was named an All-American by the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) in 1998 and 1999 as a player. He was also an NAIA honorable mention All-America honoree in 1999 and was twice named to the All-Mid-Central Conference squad.
AKRON REGISTERS 3-1 EXHIBITION TRIUMPH PAST BRADLEY
Akron closed out its exhibition campaign with a convincing 3-1 triumph past Bradley last Saturday, Aug. 22, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
The Zips benefited from goals in the affair from sophomore Richie Laryea (Toronto, Ontario (Canada)), senior Sean Sepe (West Islip, N.Y.) and redshirt junior Brad Ruhaak (Akron, Ohio) en route to outshooting the Braves, 27-7, including 8-4 on net.
The Zips gained the early advantage when Laryea lifted a ball off a cross served into the box by Sepe and beat Bradley goalkeeper Logan Ketterer in the 11th minute (11:00) to give Akron a 1-0 lead.
The Braves nearly evened the contest at one at the 15:03 mark off the foot of Brad Brown were it not for redshirt sophomore Robby Dambrot (Akron, Ohio) stepping in front of a wide open net to clear out the shot for a team save.
Sepe staked the Zips to a 2-0 advantage collecting a goal in the 30th minute (29:09). Junior Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.) served a ball into the box for Sepe, who bested Ketterer with a strike from 17 yards out.
The Zips bettered the Braves in the initial stanza in shots, 13-2, including 4-1 on frame.
Ruhaak capped the scoring for the Zips in the affair registering a goal in the 70th minute (69:03) off an assist from redshirt sophomore Sam Gainford (Liverpool, England).
Sepe sparked the Zips with a match-high six shots, while Najem, junior Victor Souto (Sao Paolo, Brazil), freshman Pau Belana (Barcelona, Spain) and Gainford added four, four, three and three shots, respectively. Bradley was led by two shots apiece from Jacob Tyler and Andrew Brown.
Senior Jake Fenlason (San Diego, Calif.) garnered two saves for the Zips, while Ketterer pulled in five stops for Bradley.
ZIPS BETTER OAKLAND, 4-1, IN EXHIBITION OPENER
Senior Sean Sepe exploded for a three-goal evening to spark Akron to a 4-1 triumph past Oakland in exhibition play on 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 and Sam Gainford added four and three shots.
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 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.
Wrapping up the scoring in the affair with a successful penalty kick at the 81:05 mark was redshirt freshman Ezana Kahsay (Ameras, Eritrea). Jake Fenlason went the distance in goal for Akron registering three saves.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Adam Najem and Brad Ruhaak have been named as team captains for the 2015 campaign.
• Akron finished the 2014 campaign with a 7-2-1 mark in its last 10 matches en route to winning the 2014 Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament championships.
• Senior goalkeeper Jake Fenlason, a first-team All-MAC honoree in 2014, registered 73 saves a season ago and posted a 0.78 goals against average and seven shutouts.
• Najem was selected by United State's Under-23 men's national team head coach Andi Herzog to attend a college identification training camp that allowed the coaching staff to evaluate collegiate players as the team continues preparations ahead of October qualifying for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The four-day camp ran Aug. 5-8 at the U.S. National Training Center in Carson, California.
• Akron owns a 16-1-1 record in its last 18 home matches.
• Since 2007, Akron owns a league record of 44-2-1 (.947) mark in the MAC. Furthermore, the Zips have won 10 consecutive MAC regular season championships and seven of the last eight MAC Tournament titles.
• In all, Akron leads all league members with 17 regular-season and 11 tournament championships since joining the MAC in 1993, and has won both titles in the same season 10 times after doing so in 2014.
• In 22 seasons in the MAC, the Zips have produced 161 All-MAC honorees, including a conference-record nine first-team selections in 2010.
• In all, the Zips have produced 20 Academic All-American honors in its history, dating back to the 1998 season.
• Akron has long been associated with academic excellence. In addition to posting a team GPA of better than 3.37 in 2014, the Zips finished second in Division I in 2011-12 with a cumulative mark of 3.44. The remarkable feat follows years that saw the Zips post GPAs of 3.43 in 2010-11 and 3.33 in 2009-10.
• Akron garnered scoring contributions from 16 players last season, including eight freshmen.
• Najem is Akron's active career leader in goals (18), assists (13), points (49), shots (93) and shots on goal (46). Andrew Souders (Amherst, Ohio) leads active Zips on the roster in games played (60) and in contests started (48).
• Saad Abdul-Salaam became the 10th Zip to have his name called during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft with his selection 12th overall in the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City in January.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.821) with an overall record of 140-23-19, heading into the 2015 campaign. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 131-33-22 (.763), Connecticut, 112-30-32 (.736), North Carolina, 115-39-27 (.710) and New Mexico, 104-40-18 (.698). Akron has made eight straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-14), earning a first-round bye in six seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in five of the last seven years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 29 times, including each of the past eight seasons and 13 of the past 14.
PROTECTING OUR HOUSE
Since 2007, the Zips have recorded an 83-5-11(.894) ledger in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. Akron owns four unbeaten campaigns during that span, including posting home marks of 12-0-1, 13-0-0, 12-0-1 and 10-0-2 during the 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 seasons, respectively.
NAJEM NAMED TO MAC HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
Adam Najem added another accolade to his growing resume with his selection to the 2015 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List.
Najem is one of 30 men tabbed for consideration for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer presented annually to one male and one female athlete. The winners will be announced Friday, Jan. 8, 2016, at the trophy presentation banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis.
Near the end of the collegiate regular season, NCAA Division I coaches whose programs are current NSCAA College Services members will vote on their top choices and the lists will be narrowed down to the top 15 players.
College soccer fans will also have the opportunity to participate in the selection process, by voting for their favorite semifinalist in November at the MAC Hermann Trophy website, managed by LockerDome.
From that pool of 30, six finalists (three men, three women) will be chosen for the award. The winners will be announced in January.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
No. 19 VCU def. No. 7 Akron, 1-0 (Sept. 13, 2013)
AKRON, Ohio - Despite dominating possession and out-shooting their opponent 28-3, seventh-rated Akron suffered a 1-0 defeat to No. 19 VCU at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
It was an unlikely result for the Zips, who controlled the match from the start but couldn't capitalize on their numerous chances.
The Rams scored the match's lone goal against the run of play when Dennis Castillo headed home Juan Monge Solano's long free kick from near mid field in the 75th minute. The decisive strike came on just the Rams' third and final shot of the night.
The Zips came out flying in the first half and pushed VCU to the limit, out-shooting the Rams 15-1, but couldn't break through.
Robbie Derschang gathered a long service from Adam Najem on the far side of field and fired a liner that was saved by the Wells. The ball deflected quickly to Bryan Gallego, who briefly took possession in front of the net before sending it back in. But Wells made perhaps the play of the match with a point-blank stop of Gallego's strike.
Eric Stevenson capped off the rapid-fire series with another ball on frame just seconds later, but Wells turned it away as well.
In all, Akron recorded five shots on goal before halftime, including a great strike from Victor Souto from the top of the box that was pushed just over the cross bar in the 29th minute.
The Zips had to work harder to break down VCU's numbers in the second half but still managed to record 13 shots, while allowing just two. Nonetheless, Akron fell behind on the restart goal and couldn't find the equalizer.
ZIPS PRIMED FOR BIG THINGS IN 2015
The Zips enter the 2015 campaign looking to build upon an 13-6-2 mark last season, including a 4-1-0 ledger in the Mid-American Conference.
Akron is seeking to integrate six newcomers Pau Belana, Alonzo Clarke (New Carrollton, Md.), Nick Costa (North Royalton, Ohio), Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), Barth-Luther Mouafo (Potomac, Md.) and Goncalo Soares (Lisbon, Portugal) this season onto a roster that boasts nine returning starters from a year ago.
Included among the returnees are nine starters from the close of the 2014 campaign is a trio of first-team All-MAC performers in junior Adam Najem and seniors Jake Fenlason and Andrew Souders.
Sophomores Stuart Holthusen and Richie Laryea, along with junior Victor Souto were tabbed as second-team All-MAC honorees in 2014.
Complimenting that quartet is the return of sophomore Jesse Garcia-Aguilar (Portland, Ore.), junior Brad Ruhaak and senior Sean Sepe, who were each starters in 2014.
AKRON TABBED TO CAPTURE MAC REGULAR AND POSTSEASON TITLES
Akron was tabbed to capture the Mid-American Conference regular and postseason titles in a preseason poll of six conference coaches.
The Zips under third-year head coach Jared Embick, were picked to repeat as conference champions in the MAC Coaches Preseason poll with three first-place votes. Akron (32 points) was followed by Western Michigan (28 points), who received two first-place votes, while West Virginia (28 points) also garnered a first-place tally.
Rounding out the rest of the poll was 2014 MAC Tournament runner-up Bowling Green (16 points), Buffalo (13 points) and Northern Illinois (nine points).
Also voted on by the coaches was the predicted 2015 MAC Tournament Champion. Akron received three of the six first-place votes. Western Michigan collected two championship votes and West Virginia garnered the final tally.
MLS TOP 24 UNDER 24 PREVIEW
The annual MLSsoccer.com's "24 Under 24" list has become an annual staple for soccer enthusiasts. Will Parchman of TopDrawerSoccer.com has revealed his award for the competition and a number of familiar names on it, including the No. 1 selection midfielder Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew) who was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection in 2011 and 2012 and a third-team NSCAA All-American in 2012.
At No. 11 is Dillon Serna (Colorado Rapids). As a freshman in 2012, Serna was named by College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com to its All-Freshmen Teams as well as being chosen as the MAC Player of the Year and first-team all-conference honoree. He was signed as an MLS Homegrown Signee by the Colorado Rapids following the 2012 campaign after registering a pair of goals and adding eight assists on 48 shots to lead the Zips to a 18-1-3 record in 2012.
At No. 14 in Perry Kitchen (DC United). As a freshman in 2010, Kitchen started 25 games, scoring six goals and adding one assist. He earned first-team All-MAC honors and helped Akron to the 2010 National Championship. He scored an unassisted goal on an emphatic right-footed blast from 30 yards out during Akron's 2-1 win over Michigan in the national semifinal of the College Cup.
EMBICK RECEIVES CONTRACT EXTENSION
Akron men's soccer head coach Jared Embick received a three-year contract extension, interim Director of Athletics Nathan J. Mortimer announced on July 17. The extension will keep Embick at the helm of the storied program through the 2018 season.
ZIPS WELCOME BACK ALUMNI
Akron will hold its annual alumni reunion in conjunction with the Zips' clash against Saint Louis at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field on Sept. 11.
Akron head coach Jared Embick and the current Zips welcome back all of the proud alumni that have contributed to the growth and development of the Akron men's soccer tradition over the course of the program's 61 years.
A pre-game tailgate and March to the Match festivities will precede the match. Alumni will gather at the Game Grill following the match. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the alums may watch team training at 11 a.m. before a Varsity "A" Tailgate. Zips football hosts Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field. A cigar/cognac fundraising event will follow the game.
ON THIS DATE IN ZIPS HISTORY
For the first time in program history Akron will play a game on Aug. 28 when it battles VCU on Friday.
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
The Zips were nationally-ranked in several categories last season. As a team, Akron was 17th in total goals (37), 25th in goals against average (0.78), 26th in save percentage (0.815), 30th in scoring offense (1.76), 34th in winning percentage (.667), 35th in total points (100) and 42nd in points per game (4.76). Individually, Adam Najem was rated fourth, fifth, eighth, eighth and 24th nationally in total goals (14), total points (32), goals per contest (0.67), points per game (1.52) and game-winning goals (4). Goalkeeper Jake Fenlason was 27th in goals against average (0.785), 32nd in save percentage (0.811) and 53rd in total saves (53). Additionally, Saad Abdul-Salaam ranked 55th in total assists (6).
SEASON AND INDIVIDUAL-GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE
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.
ZIPS LIVE RADIO SHOW
Every Thursday throughout the season from 7-8 p.m. ET, Akron head coaches can be heard on the weekly radio program Zips Live, presented by Lee Hyder and Associates. The show airs locally on 1350 AM (WARF) and originates from Johnny J's Pub and Grill in the Valley (1282 Weathervane Lane). A free audio stream is available on SportsRadio1350.com.
WHAT IS A ZIP?
One of the unique nicknames in collegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron.
Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth "Red" Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletics teams.
Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers.
The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers, a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.
The evolution of Zippy, UA's mascot, began 40 years ago when the student council decided the University needed a mascot.
"Zippy" the kangaroo was officially declared the school's mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as "Zippy" was a 1965 Zip football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name "Zippy" came Sept. 24, 1965, in an identification of a photo of the cheerleaders listing "Mascot - 'Zippy' - Charles Huettner."
In 2007, Zippy was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Redshirt sophomore MF/D Robby Dambrot is the son of Zips' men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot.
• Akron men's soccer has produced 20 Academic All-Americans since 1998.
• Nine Zips have had their names called during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, including a league record five selections in the first eight picks in 2011 following the Zips' national championship season.
• Akron broke a second MLS record that day as seven Akron players were chosen in the first two rounds, the most from a single team in draft history.
• Zippy is just one of five female-gendered college mascots in Division I athletics. Do you know the other four? (YoUDee, the Delaware Blue Hen; Mrs. Wuf of N.C. State; Lucy Lobo of New Mexico; and Wilma Wildcat of Arizona).
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Norfolk, Va., to square off against No. 24 Old Dominion on Sunday, Aug. 30. Match time at the Old Dominion Soccer Complex is slated for 7 p.m.
