The University of Akron Athletics
Gainford Selected as MAC Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week
October 17 | Men's Soccer
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MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK RELEASE (OCT. 17)
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron redshirt junior Sam Gainford (Liverpool, England) has been selected by the Mid-American Conference as the MAC Men's Soccer Athlete of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Oct. 17.
The conference award is the first in Gainford's career and marks the third weekly conference accolade for a Zip in 2016.
Gainford registered team-high marks in goals (2), points (5), shots (5), shots on goal (2) and game-winners (1) en route to leading Akron to a 1-1 mark this past week.
Gainford sparked the Zips to a 7-0 road victory at Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 15, collecting a pair of goals, while adding an assist.
Gainford scored what proved to be the game-winning tally in the fourth minute (3:16) beating goalkeeper Drew Donnally for his first goal of the season. He then again found the back of the net at the 27:12 mark to extend the Zips' lead to 2-0.
The tally enabled Gainford to record his third career multi-goal performance of his career and first since scoring twice in a 3-2 win past Saint Louis on Sept. 11, 2015.
Earlier in the week, he posted one of eight shots for the Zips in a 2-1 setback at No. 14 Michigan State on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
On the season, Gainford owns a pair of goals, while adding an assist on 23 shots, including seven on goal.
The 18th-rated Zips (7-4-1) return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 18, with a 7 p.m. tilt at Penn State. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
