Zips Close Non-Conference Slate Battling No. 10 Creighton

Tuesday, October 16

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Creighton

Zips Close Non-Conference Slate Battling No. 10 Creighton

October 15 | Men's Soccer

Follow Akron Men's Soccer on Twitter and Facebook

Purchase 2018 Men's Soccer Season and Single-Game Tickets Click Here

MATCH NO. 13 - AKRON VS. CREIGHTON GAME NOTES (PDF) (10/16)

Akron (5-5-2) vs. No. 10 Creighton (9-2-1)
Tuesday, Oct. 16
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio. • 7 p.m.

Series History: Akron leads 2-0-2
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN+
Television: ESPN+
Radio: Fox Sports Radio 1350AM

MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK

WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team faces its final non-conference showdown of the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 16, as the Zips welcome No. 10 Creighton to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. The 7 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ and aired on Fox Sports Radio 1350 AM.

AKRON VERSUS THE BIG EAST CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big East Conference for the second time this season and the 34th time in program history.
• In its last meeting with a school from the Big East Conference, Akron battled No. 9 Butler to a 2-2 double-overtime draw on Aug. 24, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• In all, Akron is 20-3-10 (.758) versus teams from the Big East Conference (Butler - 0-0-1; Creighton - 2-0-2; Georgetown - 2-0-1; Marquette - 8-1-4; Seton Hall - 1-0-0; St. John's - 0-2-2; Villanova - 1-0-0; Xavier - 6-0-0).

SCOUTING CREIGHTON
Creighton has won eight of its last nine matches and two straight entering play on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at Akron following the Bluejays' 3-1 victory at Xavier on Friday, Oct. 12. Senior Sven Koenig directs the offensive exploits for Creighton owning team-high marks in goals (7), points (14), shots (37), shots on goal (22) and game-winners (2). Freshman goalkeeper Paul Kruse has recorded 25 saves and posted six shutouts, while maintaining a 0.48 goals against average this season. The contest also marks the return of former Zip Anthony Maccione, who played for Akron during the 2014-16 campaigns.

As a team, the Bluejays have not surrendered more than a goal in any match this season and are ranked fourth in the NCAA in shots per game (17.50), fifth in goals against average (.484), 14th in winning percentage (.792), 16th in shutout percentage (.500), 20th in shots on goal (6.83) and 41st in corner kicks (5.67). Individually, Kruse is sixth in goals against average (0.48), 10th in shutouts (6) and 31st in save percentage (.806), while Koenig is 17th in shots on goal (1.83) and 43rd in total goals (7).

SERIES HISTORY
Tuesday evening's game is the fifth meeting between Akron and Creighton. The Zips lead the all-time series, 2-0-2. In the last encounter, Akron registered a 3-2 double-overtime victory past the Bluejays in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals on Dec. 5, 2015 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. The two squads had tied its previous two matches, both occurring during the 2012 campaign. Additionally, the Zips garnered a 1-0 home triumph over Creighton Oct. 27, 2010.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (DEC. 5, 2015 - AKRON, OHIO)
A perfectly executed free kick from Adam Najem at the 101:55 mark of the second overtime snared the coveted golden goal propelling the Akron men's soccer team to its fourth NCAA College Cup berth and first since 2010 with a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime triumph past third-ranked Creighton on Dec. 5, 2015 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

The game-winning goal was setup by a heady play from Richie Laryea, who garnered a foul just outside the top of the box to set the stage for Najem to deliver his 10th goal and fourth game-winning tally of the season.

Najem was not to be denied after having an opportunity at a game-winning shot in the initial overtime period off a free kick at the 96:41 mark blocked.

The Zips registered a 5-2 advantage in shots in overtime, but were bettered 26-19 overall in shots in the contest, including 12-8 on goal.

Stuart Holthusen directed Akron's offensive attack with a game-high five shots, including a pair on frame. Najem added four strikes of his own, while Sean Sepe recorded three shots. Fabian Herbers and Fernando Castellanos led Creighton with five shots apiece.

Jake Fenlason was stellar in goal for the Zips corralling a season-best 10 saves. Connor Sparrow was nearly as impressive for the Bluejays garnering five stops.

Akron and Creighton battled to a scoreless draw in the opening 45 minutes, despite the Bluejays owning an 8-5 advantage in shots, including 5-2 on net.

The Zips finally broke through in the 60th minute (59:04) when Creighton was whistled for a tackle in the box on Laryea resulting in a penalty kick.

Stepping over the ball and delivering the goal with a perfectly executed penalty kick was Victor Souto.

The lead was fleeting for Akron as Castellanos netted the equalizer for the Bluejays at the 63:09 mark off an assist from Herbers.

Najem, Sepe and Holthusen created scoring opportunities at the 70:18, 71:32 and 75:52 marks, respectively, for Akron which each narrowly missed giving the Zips a 2-1 lead.

The attacking strikes by Akron finally netted a go-ahead goal in the 80th minute (79:51). Laryea served a ball into the box where Holthusen accepted the ball and struck a shot that found the corner of the net to provide the Zips with a 2-1 lead.

The advantage didn't hold up as Ricardo Perez squared the contest at two converting his sixth goal of the season at the 84:17 mark off assists from Herbers and Timo Pitter.

The Bluejays bettered the Zips in shots in the second stanza, 16-9.

Creighton registered its only shots in overtime at the 91:41 and 94:25 marks. Fenlason denied a Herbers' strike with a save, while Lopez-Espin's shot went wide.

THE COACHES
Creighton: Elmar Bolowich is in his eighth season as head coach of the Creighton program, owning a 113-38-15 (.726) record. Overall in 30 years as a head coach, Bolowich holds a 393-182-55 (.667) mark.

Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 84-28-13 mark (.724), including 131-48-21 (.708) overall, in his 10th 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 2018 campaign marks his sixth year leading the Zips having registered a 84-28-13 (.724) ledger after posting an 18-4-2 record a season ago en route to earning the program's fifth College Cup berth. Akron also posted a perfect 12-0 ledger at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field in 2017.

During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 194-41-29 (.790), including a 55-5-4 (.891) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing 10 conference tournament titles, 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament and two appearances in the College Cup final.

Due in large part to recruiting efforts of Embick and his staff, Akron identified and secured some of the best prospects in the country – and around the world – with top-five recruiting classes. The Zips' classes of 2015, 2012 and 2009 were ranked No. 1 in the country, while the classes of 2016, 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 37 players who have gone on to play professionally either in MLS or overseas since 2007.

Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players selected among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players chosen among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 12.

WEST VIRGINIA EDGES AKRON IN OVERTIME, 2-1
Akron suffered a 2-1 overtime setback to West Virginia in Mid-American Conference play on Oct. 13, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field as Joey Piatczyc's golden goal at the 92:27 mark lifted the Mountaineers to a come-from-behind triumph.

The Zips appeared destined to secure a 1-0 victory over West Virginia as junior Marcel Zajac's (Mississauga, Ontario) tally in the 57th minute (56:22) maintained Akron's advantage until Piatczyc connected on a goal with only 13 seconds remaining in regulation to send the affair into overtime.

The Zips were outshot on the evening, 15-9, with Zajac pacing Akron's efforts with a game-high three shots, including two on goal. The Mountaineers were led by three shots apiece from Piatczyc, Kevin Morris and Logan Lucas.

Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) made five saves in net for the Zips, while Steven Tekesky collected three stops for West Virginia.

The contest started as a defensive back-and-forth affair in the opening stanza as Akron registered a 6-4 margin in shots, including 3-1 on frame.

The Zips best scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 33rd minute as Zajac struck a ball just beyond the 18-yard box that was blocked before deflecting to the hands of Tekesky. Freshman Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) struck a shot off the rebound that was denied by a save from Tekesky.

Both sides posted a shot in the opening minutes of the second half before Zajac scored his second goal of the season at the 56:22 mark to give the Zips a 1-0 lead. A pair of strong passes from senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) and redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) for assists set up Zajac on the scoring play.

The Mountaineers nearly netted the equalizer in the 78th minute as Ryan Kellogg struck a ball at the 77:36 that was denied for a team save by Ritaccio before the follow-up strike from Albert Andres-Liop was thwarted by a save from Lundt.

Akron appeared to have a quality chance on net in the 92nd minute as sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) delivered a ball into the box to a charging Zajac, who had a 1v1 with Tekesky. Unfortunately for the Zips, they were called for an offsides call on the play.

ZIPS' DUO COLLECTS TOP-100 ACCOLADES
A pair of University of Akron men's soccer standouts in sophomore David Egbo and senior Abdi Mohamed garnered accolades when TopDrawerSoccer.com unveiled its Midseason National Top 100 list on Oct. 15.

Egbo checked in at No. 75 on the list, while Mohamed was tabbed 79th in the rankings. Egbo and Mohamed represented the top-rated players in the Mid-American Conference.

Egbo has appeared in all 12 matches for Akron, including 11 starts, and had recorded team-high marks in goals (8), points (19), shots (34), shots on goal (13) and game-winners (3).

Mohamed has started 11 of the Zips' 12 contests this season and has responded with an assist on the strength of 10 shots, including three on goal.

AKRON FRESHMEN GARNER MID-SEASON HONORS
The accolades continue to be bestowed upon the Akron men's soccer program as freshman Carlo Ritaccio, Pol Hernandez, Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio) and Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) garnered recognition on TopDrawerSoccer.com's mid-season list of the top-100 freshmen in college soccer this season.

The quartet was tabbed as the Nos. 13, 32, 60 and 68 selections in the latest ratings.

Milanese, Ritaccio, Hernandez, Biros and have started 11, 10, nine and six games for Akron this fall and have combined to register two goals and a pair of assists on the strength of 20 shots, including three on frame.

ZIPS TIDBITS
• Akron's 0-0 draw at Bowling Green marked only the third regular season scoreless league contest for the Zips since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1993. The last time this occurred for Akron was on Oct. 13, 2007 versus Northern Illinois.
• The Zips' contest versus West Virginia represented the 125th match for head coach Jared Embick at Akron and his 200th game overall in his head coaching career.
• The Zips are unbeaten in their last four road matches (3-0-1) on the strength of three and two goals, respectively, from Diogo Pacheco and David Egbo. Akron has averaged 14.0 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 7.2 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 38-11 margin in corner kicks and a 56-29 edge in total shots.
• Diogo Pacheco and David Egbo are ranked first and third in the Mid-American Conference in goals per game registering 0.71 and 0.67 tallies per contest, respectively. The duo also goes two-three in points per tilt averaging 1.58 and 1.57 points a night.
• The three-goal explosion by Diogo Pacheco at VCU on Sept. 26 marked the third hat trick for an Akron player this season joining David Egbo and Ezana Kahsay, who matched the feat versus Canisius on Sept. 15.
• Akron has not had three players register a hat trick since 2005 when Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Ross McKenzie and Geir Nyheim did so for the Zips.
• In six games since returning from injury, Marcel Zajac has provided the Zips with a huge lift offensively contributing a goal and team-high four assists, while adding 11 shots, including six on goal.
• Twenty-four players have seen action for Akron this season, including 13 newcomers.
• Marcel Zajac, Skye Harter, David Egbo and Morgan Hackworth have contributed four, four, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' total of 24.
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 21st in the NCAA in game-winning goals (3), 31st in goals per contest (0.67) and total goals (8), 35th points per game (1.58) and 37th in total points (19).
• Akron will get plenty of opportunities to add to its NCAA resume in the Zips' coming matches as the squad will face a pair of teams ranked in the top-30 of the NCAA RPI report released on Oct. 14. Akron will square off against No. 14 Creighton (Oct. 16) and No. 30 SIU Edwardsville (Oct. 27).
• Ezana Kahsay is Akron's active career leader in goals (9), shots (77), shots on goal (25), games played (68) and game-winning goals (4), while David Egbo also directs the team in goals (9) and Skye Harter paces the squad in assists (14) and points (30). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 53 games.

UP NEXT
Akron resumes Mid-American Conference play traveling to DeKalb, Ill., for an 8 p.m. ET tilt versus Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 20.