Akron Faces Key League Test at Northern Illinois

Saturday, October 20

DeKalb, Ill.

8:00 PM

University of Akron

Northern Illinois

Akron Faces Key League Test at Northern Illinois

October 19 | Men's Soccer

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MATCH NO. 14 - AKRON AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAME NOTES (PDF) (10/20)

Akron (6-5-2, 0-1-1 MAC) at Northern Illinois (7-5-1, 0-2-0 MAC)
Saturday, Oct. 20
NIU Soccer Complex (1,500)
DeKalb, Ill. • 8 p.m. ET

Series History: Akron leads 25-3-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: NIUHuskies.com ($ subscription or per-event fee required)
Television: NIUHuskies.com ($ subscription or per-event fee required)

MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK

WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team looks to extend its strong run of play away from FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field as the Zips travel to DeKalb, Ill., for an 8 p.m. ET Mid-American Conference showdown at Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 20.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into action on Saturday, Oct. 20, on the heels of snapping its three-match losing streak with a 2-2 double-overtime draw versus Drake on Tuesday, Oct. 16. Freshman Nick Markanich directs the offensive exploits for the Huskies owning team-high marks in goals (7), points (14), shots (44) and shots on goal (24). Redshirt junior goalkeeper Konrad Dziedzic has recorded 25 saves and posted five shutouts, while maintaining a 1.28 goals against average this season.

As a team, Northern Illinois is ranked ninth in the NCAA in shots on goal (7.15), 21st in shots per game (14.77), 38th in corner kicks (5.77), 42nd in total assists (21) and 46th in assists per game (1.62) and shutout percentage (.385). Individually, Markanich is 16th in shot on goal (1.85), 35th in shots per contest (3.38) and 47th in total goals (7), while senior Kevin Rodriguez is 15th in assists per game (0.54) and Dziedzic is 28th in shutouts (5).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 30th time in program history with the Zips owning a 25-3-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron registered a 4-0 victory over the Huskies on Nov. 4, 2017.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 4, 2017 - AKRON, OHIO)
On a night when the fifth-rated University of Akron men's soccer team honored its nine seniors, it was fitting that Stuart Holthusen and Sam Gainford combined to score three goals to spark the Zips to a 4-0 triumph past Northern Illinois on Nov. 4, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

Holthusen registered tallies in the 61st (60:27) and 66th (66:50) minutes, respectively, to record his team-leading seventh career multi-goal effort.

Gainford collected what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 18:07 mark, while Reggie Laryea added his first goal of the campaign in the 90th minute (89:16).

The Zips outshot the Huskies on the evening, 22-4, including 11-2 on goal. Gainford and Holthusen directed Akron's offensive exploits garnering a game-high four shots apiece, while Nick Hinds, Joao Moutinho, junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) and senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) added three, two, two and two shots, respectively. Four different Northern Illinois players recorded a shot.

Earning his fourth straight shutout and eighth on the campaign was senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany), who made one save, while Konrad Dziedzic pulled in six stops for the Huskies.

Both teams nearly surrendered goals in the opening minutes of the game as only team saves prevented tallies for each side.

Manuel Cordeiro unleashed a shot for the Zips at the 6:22 that was denied by a clearance by Northern Illinois' Ethan Pitre.

Just over six minutes later in the 13th minute (12:37), Jan Maertins let loose on a strike in the box for the Huskies in which Moutinho cleared off the line for another team save.

After opening the contest bettering the Huskies in shots, 6-1, Gainford collected his sixth goal of the season at the 18:07 mark off an assist from Hinds. The tally proved to be the game-winning goal for Akron.

Neither team was able to punch in a goal the remainder of the half as the Zips entered the intermission leading 1-0, having best Northern Illinois in shots, 13-2, including 8-1 on net.

In the 61st minute (60:27), Holthusen extended Akron's advantage to 2-0 capitalizing on a pair of assists from Moutinho and sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria). Moutinho played the ball into the box to Egbo, who with a quick flick of the ball off his head placed the ball perfectly to Holthusen, who converted the scoring chance.

Holthusen earned the brace with his score at the 65:50 mark as his near half-bicycle shot found the back of the net for his team-leading eighth goal of the year. Niko De Vera and senior Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.) garnered assists on the score.

Laryea capped the scoring on the night with his first goal of the season and second of his career, in the 90th minute (89:16) off an assist from Kahsay.

THE COACHES
Northern Illinois: Ryan Swan is in his second season as head coach of the Northern Illinois program, owning a 10-16-2 (.393) record. Overall in 10 years as a head coach, Swan holds a 116-63-10 (.640) mark.

Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 85-28-13 mark (.726), including 132-48-21 (.709) 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 85-28-13 (.726) 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 195-41-29 (.791), 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.

HACKWORTH NETS GAME-WINNER IN ZIPS' 1-0 WIN OVER NO. 8 CREIGHTON
Akron parlayed a staunch defensive effort along with a goal from Morgan Hackworth in the 49th minute (48:49) into a 1-0 victory over No. 8 Creighton on Tuesday, Oct. 16 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

The defensive performances of the Zips' backline of senior Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio), sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) and freshmen Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) and Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) along with redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Tor Saunders (Bothell, Wash.) limited Creighton, who came into the contest ranked fourth in the NCAA at 17.50 shots per game, to 10 shots en route to collecting the shutout.

Akron registered a 14-10 advantage in shots on the evening, including a 6-3 edge on goal to secure the win.

Ezana Kahsay paced all players with a game-high four shots for the Zips, while Ritaccio and Marcel Zajac added two strikes apiece. Sven Koenig led the Bluejays with a game-high four shots, including three on frame.

In his first start and action of the season, Saunders made three saves for Akron in net en route to earning the clean-sheet triumph. Paul Kruse registered five stops for Creighton.

The Bluejays maintained the early pace of play in the tilt recording the initial four shots of the evening, including a save off of Koenig's shot at the 6:48 mark by Saunders.

In the 21st minute (20:37) redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) played a beautiful ball into the box to a surging Kahsay for a 1v1 opportunity. Unfortunately for Akron, Kahsay's shot went wide of target.

In the 29th minute, Mohamed served a ball into the box to Strachan off a corner kick, one that he headed on frame before the shot attempt was punched out for a save by Kruse. The ensuing deflection swung to Ritaccio, who attempted a strike from three yards out that was blocked by the Creighton defender to thwart the scoring chance.

Ritaccio followed with a header attempt off a corner kick from Mohamed at the 31:32 mark, one that sailed wide.

The two sides entered the intermission locked in a scoreless draw with the Zips owning an 8-5 margin in shots.

Akron finally broke through in the 49th minute (48:49) when Hackworth headed home a pass from the corner of the box by Zajac for his second goal of the year and his first game-winning tally as a Zip. The assist was Zajac's team-leading fifth on the campaign.

Less than three minutes later in the 58th minute (57:18), Harter played a ball into Zajac in the box, who got off a shot that was denied by a save from Kruse.

Redshirt freshman Braden Petno (Hudson, Ohio) and redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) each registered shots on goal at the 58:47 and 65:34 marks, respectively, for the Zips that were stopped by saves from Kruse.

Saunders completed the shutout recording saves off the foot of Koenig at the 71:43 and 86:29 marks, respectively.

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 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 12 of the Zips' 13 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, 11, 10 and six games for Akron this fall and have combined to register two goals and a pair of assists on the strength of 22 shots, including four on frame.

TOR DROPS THE HAMMER
Goalkeeper Tor Saunders has made the most of his playing time during his career at Akron having appeared in five matches, all starts. In those performances, Saunders has surrendered only two goals, while registering three shutouts on the strength of garnering 11 saves and posting a 0.40 goal against average. He has earned shutouts over No. 8 Creighton this season as well as past No. 8 Notre Dame and Cleveland State a year ago.

LUCKY NO. 8
Over the past two seasons, the Zips have faced a trio of squads ranked eighth nationally. In those contests, Akron owns a 3-0-0 mark having earned 1-0 and 2-0 shutout victories past Creighton and Notre Dame on Oct. 16, 2018, and Oct. 17, 2017, respectively, while also bettering Michigan State, 2-1, on Oct. 9 of this season.

ZAJAC PROVIDES THE OFFENSE
Marcel Zajac has proven to be an offensive weapon for the Zips over his three seasons at Akron having registered nine goals and six assists for 24 points on the strength of 63 shots, including 28 on goal. The Zips own a 9-1-1 mark in contests when Zajac has netted a goal or garnered an assist in his three years at Akron.

ZIPS TIDBITS
• The Zips have registered back-to-back victories over ranked opponents Creighton and Michigan State after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• 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.
• Akron's 2-1 overtime setback against West Virginia marked the first home regular season overtime decision not to go in the Zips' favor since Oct. 30, 1992 versus Evansville. During that same span Akron owns a 19-1-20 mark in overtime contests at home. The lone blemish was a 1-0 double-overtime setback against South Florida in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 16th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.38), 20th in assists per game (2.08), 21st in total assists (27), 27th in points per contest (5.77), 28th in total points (75), 34th in scoring offense (1.85), 35th in total goals (24) and 46th in shutout percentage (.385).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 22nd in the NCAA in game-winning goals (3), 30th in goals per contest (0.67), 35th points per game (1.58) and total goals (8) and 44th in total points (19).
• Nineteen different Zips have registered shots this season, including 10 newcomers.
• David Egbo, Ezana Kahsay and Marcel Zajac are Akron's active career leader in goals (9). Kahsay also paces the squad in shots (81), games played (69) and game-winning goals (4), while Zajac leads the team in shots on goal (28) and Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (14) and points (30). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 53 games.
• In Akron's six wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 19-4. Akron has outshot the opposition 79-50, including 37-16 on goal. Thirteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering six goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns three shutouts in those matches.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating sixth in career shutouts (25), seventh in minutes played (5,433.29), 26th in goals against average (.977), 30th in saves (157) and 46th in save percentage (.727). Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 33rd in career points (58), 39th in goals (22), 42nd in goals per game (0.31) and 44th in points per contest (0.83).

OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent successes of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 12 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 71-12-8 (.824) ledger in the month, including a 37-6-3 (.837) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.

UP NEXT
Akron concludes the road portion of its Mid-American Conference slate traveling to Edwardsville, Ill., for an 8 p.m. ET tilt versus SIU Edwardsville on Saturday, Oct. 27.