The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Saint Louis
Akron opens home campaign hosting No. 14 Saint Louis
September 10 | Men's Soccer
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MATCH NOTES NO. 5 VS. SAINT LOUIS (PDF)
No. 22 Akron (3-1) vs. No. 14 Saint Louis (2-0)
Friday, Sept. 11
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Webstream: www.gozips.com
WHAT'S AHEAD
In the 1,000th match in program history, Akron opens its 2015 home campaign welcoming No. 14 Saint Louis to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. contest on Friday, Sept. 11. The Zips are hosting their annual alumni reunion in conjunction with the tilt against the Billikens.
SCOUTING THE BILLIKENS
Saint Louis (2-0-0) comes into play this week having registered victories past Memphis and Tulsa to open its 2015 campaign. Senior Vince Cicciarelli owns a team-high three goals, while senior Filip Pavisic has accounted for the Billikens' other tally this season. Freshman Anthony Brown has collected a team-best four shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Sascha Otte has recorded nine saves, while not surrendering a goal en route to posting a pair of shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Friday's match marks the 11th meeting between Akron and Saint Louis and the first since a 4-0 Zips' victory on Sept. 10, 2011 in St. Louis, Mo. Akron has won the last two encounters in the series, but trail the Billikens in the all-time series, 7-3-0.
THE COACHES
Saint Louis: Mike McGinty is in his sixth season as head coach of the Billikens' program, owning a 61-32-8 (.716) record.
Akron: In his third year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and ninth season overall, is Jared Embick, who has a 33-11-3 mark (.734), including 80-32-13 (.692) 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 33-11-3 (.734) 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 143-24-19 (.820), 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 EARNS 3-2 VICTORY OVER NO. 6 MARYLAND
Akron sophomore Richie Laryea (Toronto, Ontario (Can.)) scored a pair of goals and assisted on a third to spark the Zips to a 3-2 men's soccer victory past No. 6 Maryland on Monday, Sept. 7.
Akron registered a pair of first-half goals from Laryea and junior Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.) and withstood a late second-half charge from Terrapins to register the Zips' first-ever road victory over Maryland.
After having their initial two shots of the evening blocked, Najem gave the Zips an early 1-0 advantage connecting on a through ball from Laryea at the 21:41 mark.
In the 39th minute (38:30) Laryea converted a Maryland turnover into his first goal of the season to push Akron's advantage to 2-0.
Each side registered five shots apiece in the initial stanza with the Zips owning and scoring on each of the two shots on goal.
The Terrapins posted the first two shots of the second half with Maryland cutting Akron's lead to 2-1 on Sebastian Elney's goal at the 66:28 mark. Mael Corbez delivered the ball into the box off the corner kick to Elney, who headed the ball past senior goalkeeper Jake Fenlason (San Diego, Calif.).
Laryea registered the Zips' first shot of the second half at the 82:40 mark, a strike that was saved by Dayne St. Clair.
Nine seconds later, Laryea connected on his second goal of the evening chipping in a ball from five yards out to extend Akron's lead to 3-1 in the 83rd minute (82:49).
Twenty-five seconds at the 83:14 mark, David Kabelik brought Maryland to within a goal at 3-2, scoring off an assist from Corboz.
The Terrapins were unable to get off a shot over the final 6:46 and suffered their first loss of the season.
The Zips were outshot in the affair, 13-8, but Akron was able to outshoot the Terrapins on goal, 4-3.
Laryea registered a match-high four shots, including four on goal, while Najem added three shots to Akron's offensive attack.
Laryea's first career multi-goal game marked the second time this season that a Zips has netted a pair of goals in a match. He joins redshirt sophomore Sam Gainford (Liverpool, England), who tallied a pair of scores in a 3-2 victory at VCU. Fenlason recorded a save in the game for Akron.
NAJEM NET GAME-WINNING GOAL IN 1-0 WIN PAST GEORGETOWN
A 63rd-minute (62:54) goal from Adam Najem propelled Akron to a 1-0 victory over No. 4 Georgetown (0-2-1) on Sept. 4.
Najem scored what proved to be the game-winning tally delivering a half touch over Georgetown goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski that found the back of the net off an assist from sophomore Nate Shultz (Mayfield, Ohio). The goal was the first of the season for Najem and 19th for this Akron career.
Najem's tally coupled with a strong defensive effort down the stretch allowed the Zips to collect their first regular season road win over a top five opponent since besting No. 3 Wake Forest, 2-0, on Sept. 5, 2010.
Akron and Georgetown each recorded 13 shots in the contest, with the Zips owning a 7-5 advantage in shots on goal.
Richie Laryea registered a game-high four shots for Akron, including three on goal. The Zips also benefited from three shots apiece from Najem and Sam Gainford. Five different Hoyas notched two shots each.
Jake Fenlason recorded five saves in the affair for the Zips en route to notching the shutout.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• With its win over No. 4 Georgetown on Sept. 4 and No. 6 Maryland on Sept. 7, Akron has posted back-to-back regular season road victories over top 10 opponents for the first time since defeating No. 4 North Carolina (3-0) and No. 3 Wake Forest (2-0) to open the 2010 National Championship campaign.
• Akron owns a 21-11-2 overall record against the current men's soccer members of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in seven of the squad's last 10 matches, including on three occasions this season.
• Sam Gainford registered the Zip' first multi-goal performance of the season with his two tallies versus VCU (Aug. 28). A year ago, only Adam Najem with his three-goal effort against Cleveland State logged a multi-goal game.
• Richie Laryea netted his first career multi-goal game knocking in a pair of tallies in Akron's 3-2 victory at No. 6 Maryland.
• The Zips own a pair of victories over ranked opponents this season having defeated No. 4 Georgetown (1-0 on Sept. 4) and No. 6 Maryland (3-2 on Sept. 7).
• Najem and Brad Ruhaak (Akron, Ohio) 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 (20), assists (15), points (55), shots (103) and shots on goal (51). Andrew Souders (Amherst, Ohio) leads active Zips on the roster in games played (64) and in contests started (52).
• 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 (.820) thru games of Sept. 9 with an overall record of 143-24-19. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 133-34-23 (.761), Connecticut, 112-30-35 (.732), North Carolina, 118-39-28 (.714) and New Mexico, 105-41-19 (.694). 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.
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 (Barcelona, Catalonia), 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 (Auckland, New Zealand) and Richie Laryea along with junior Victor Souto (Sao Paulo, Brazil) 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 (West Islip, N.Y.), 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 is holding its annual alumni reunion in conjunction with the Zips' clash against Saint Louis at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field on Friday, 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
The Zips will be playing for the ninth time in program history on Sept. 11 when Akron hosts Saint Louis on Friday. The Zips own a 6-2 mark in the previous eight matches on the date registering victories over Pittsburgh (5-1 in 1976), Eastern Michigan (6-0 in 1982 and 3-2 in 1994), Wright State (2-0 in 2005), High Point (4-1 in 2009) and Bowling Green (2-0 in 2010).
NATIONALLY SPEAKING
The Zips are nationally-ranked in several categories this season. As a team, Akron is rated 23rd in total goals (8), 29th in scoring offense (2.00), 38th in total points (21) and 39th in winning percentage (.750). Individually, Richie Laryea is ranked 25th in game-winning goals (1), 26th in shots on goal per game (2.00), 49th in total goals (2), 53rd in points per contest (1.67), 54th in goals per game (0.67) and 64th in total points (5). Adam Najem is rated 25th in game-winning goals (1), 49th in total goals (2) and 64th in total points (5). Additionally, Anthony Macchione (Camas, Wash.) is ranked 25th in game-winning goals (1) and 49th in total goals (2), Sam Gainford is 49th in total goals (2) and Nate Shultz is 36th in total assists (2) and 60th in assists per game (0.50). Goalkeeper Jake Fenlason is rated 45th in total saves (15).
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 (Akron, Ohio) 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 squares off against Ohio State in a rematch of the opening round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Game time is slated for 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
