The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, October 9
East Lansing, Mich.
7:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Michigan State
Akron Travels to No. 8 Michigan State
October 08 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (4-4-2) at No. 8 Michigan State (9-2-1)
Tuesday, Oct. 9
DeMartin Soccer Complex (2,500)
East Lansing, Mich. • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 27-13-12
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: Big Ten Network (TV provider subscription required)
Television: Big Ten Network
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team faces arguably its stiffest test of the season thus far on Tuesday, Oct. 9, as the Zips travel to East Lansing, Mich., for a showdown versus No. 8 Michigan State. The 7 p.m. match will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Dean Linke and Chris Doran calling the action.
AKRON VERSUS THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big Ten Conference for the first time this season and 185th time overall.
• Akron owns a 101-66-17 (.595) all-time record versus the current 14 members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Zips have gone 19-3-4 against the league since 2012.
• A season ago, Akron registered a 3-2 double-overtime victory past No. 13 Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament Third Round on Nov. 25, 2017, after earning a 4-1 triumph past then No. 1 Michigan State on Sept. 27, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• In all, Akron is 36-8-7 (.775) versus teams from the Big Ten since 2007. During that time, the Zips have out-scored the competition, 100-42.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State has garnered victories in four of its last five contests, including a 2-0 decision past Maryland on Oct. 5, entering its match versus Akron on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Senior Ryan Sierakowski directs the offensive exploits for the Spartans owning team-high marks in goals (5), points (14), shots (27) and game-winners (2), while ranking second in assists (4) and shots on goal (14). Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague has recorded 35 saves and posted six shutouts, while maintaining a 0.57 goals against average this season.
As a team, Michigan State is ranked third in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.33), eighth in assists per game (2.42), ninth in total assists (29), 10th in winning percentage (.833), 13th in total goals (24), 14th in total points (77), 16th in points per game (6.42), 17th in shutout percentage (.500), 22nd in scoring offense (2.00), 26th in goals against average (.719) and 33rd in save percentage (.800). Individually, Hague is sixth in shutouts (6), ninth in goals against average (.571), 15th in save percentage (.833) and 20th in minutes played (1,103:24), while junior Giuseppe Barone is seventh in total assists (7) and 15th in assists per contest (0.58).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Michigan State for the 53rd time in program history with the Zips owning a 27-13-12 series advantage. A year ago, the Zips posted a 4-1 triumph over the top-rated Spartans on Sept. 27, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 27, 2017 - AKRON, OHIO)
Nate Shultz picked an opportune time for his first career multi-goal affair as his two goals propelled the 24th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team to a 4-1 victory over No. 1 Michigan State on Sept. 27, 2017, at FirstEnergy Stadium Cub Cadet Field.
The triumph marked highest-rated team the Zips had defeated at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field since then top-rated Akron handed No. 2 Tulsa a 4-0 setback on Sept. 24, 2010.
The Spartans came into their showdown with the Zips having surrendered only one goal on the campaign and it was Shultz' first tally of the season in the 16th minute (15:55) that ended Michigan State's run of three consecutive shutouts.
Nick Hinds delivered a ball in from the corner of the box to just outside the six-yard box which Shultz leveled into the back of the net for a 1-0 Zips' lead.
Akron continued to penetrate the Spartans' defensive third in the half as the Zips went on to post an 8-1 advantage in first-half shots, including 5-0 margin in shots on goal.
Sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) nearly extended Akron's lead to 2-0 at the 41:51 mark as only Jimmy Fiscus clearing the ball off the goal line for a team save prevented Egbo's goal.
Capitalizing on the momentum, Shultz earned his second tally of the evening in the 45th minute (44:28) off a pair of key inside-out passes for assists from redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) and Stuart Holthusen to push Akron's lead at halftime to 2-0.
Hinds continued his strong play in the second half as finessed his away around the Michigan State defenders at the 70:04 mark and blasted a ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season to give the Zips a 3-0 advantage.
Akron's bid for a third straight shutout was thwarted in the 81st minute (80:58) when Ryan Scott played a ball of his body and into the back of the net off an assist from Hunter Barone.
João Moutinho capped the Zips' scoring efforts on the evening registering his first career goal at the 84:50 mark to account for the final 4-1 margin. Egbo soared around the backline and played a ball into the box that Niko De Vera flicked off to Egbo, who rocketed a ball past Michigan State goalkeeper Jimmy Hague for the goal.
The Zips finished the affair garnering a 14-6 advantage in shots, including a 7-3 difference in shots on goal.
Moutinho collected a team- and career-high five shots, while Shultz and Egbo each tallied two strikes of their own. Six different Spartans recorded shots.
Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) made one save for the Zips, while Hague pulled in four stops for Michigan State.
THE COACHES
Michigan State: Damon Rensing is in his 10th season as head coach of the Michigan State program, owning a 112-62-28 (.624) record.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 83-27-13 mark (.728), including 130-47-21 (.710) 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 83-27-13 (.728) 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 193-40-29 (.792), including a 55-4-4 (.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.
AKRON EARNS LEAGUE POINT WITH 0-0 DRAW AT BOWLING GREEN
In a hard-fought contest played in wet and muddy conditions due to lingering rain and lightning, the University of Akron men's soccer team battled Bowling Green to a 0-0 draw in double overtime in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools on Saturday, Oct. 6.
The Zips outshot the Falcons on the evening, 21-7, including 10-2 on frame, and posted a 16-1 edge in corner kicks, but Akron was unable to find the golden goal in overtime to earn the triumph.
David Egbo directed the Zips' offensive efforts recording a game-best five shots. Contributing four, three and three shots, respectively, for Akron was freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) and senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea). Chris Brennan led Bowling Green with a team-high three shots.
The contest was played in rain early before action was halted due to lightning with 7:30 remaining in the opening stanza. The contest resumed nearly 40 minutes later as neither side found a goal in the opening 45 minutes of play.
Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) placed the first shot on goal of the evening on frame at the 17:11 mark, only to see his strike thwarted by a save from Falcons' goalkeeper Anthony Mwembia.
Ben Lundt denied the scoring chance with a save off a header by Moe Mustafa in the 30th minute (29:15).
Immediately before the lightning delay, senior Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) connected on a shot on goal at the 35:44 mark for the Zips, again denied by a Mwembia save.
Following the delay, Kahsay unleashed a shot in the 43rd minute (42:57) that was collected for a save by Mwembia.
The Zips outshot Bowling Green in the opening half, 6-3, including 3-1 on goal.
Lundt again made the save for Akron off a shot by Brennan in the 58th minute (57:15).
Shot by Pacheco and Skye Harter were denied by saves from Mwembia at the 70:29 and 73:36 marks, respectively.
With the clock winding down in the second half, Pacheco and freshman Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) posted shots on goal, which again were stopped by saves from Mwembia in the 83rd (82:08 and 82:42) minute.
The Zips bettered the Falcons in second-half shots, 8-4, including 4-1 on net.
Neither side was able to record a shot in the opening overtime period. In the second-overtime stanza, Akron registered seven shots, including three on goal, and garnered six corner kicks, but were unable to find the back of the net with the game-winner. Egbo, Tojaga and Harter each had shots on goal thwarted by saves from Mwembia over the final 10 minutes of the match.
Lundt finished the evening making two saves en route to collecting his fourth shutout of the season and 24th of his Akron career, while Mwembia made 10 stops to also earn the clean sheet.
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 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 five 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 six shots, including three on goal.
• Twenty-four players have seen action for Akron this season, including 13 newcomers.
• Marcel Zajac, David Egbo and Morgan Hackworth have contributed four, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' league-high total of 22.
• David Egbo's eight-point effort in a 10-0 triumph past Canisius (Sept. 15) marked the most points in a match for a Zip since Ørjan Bjånesø tallied three goals and added a pair of assists in a 7-1 win against St. Bonaventure on Oct. 20, 2000.
• Five different Zips registered goals in Akron's 10-0 victory over Canisius on Sept. 15, including a trio of multi-goal efforts from David Egbo (3), Ezana Kahsay (3) and Diogo Pacheco (2).
• Making his return from injury, Marcel Zajac had a career game against Cansius netting a goal and three assists in the Zips' victory on Sept. 15.
• Three different Akron players recorded their first collegiate points donning a Zips' uniform as Diogo Pacheco tallied two goals, while freshman Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) and junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) each posted an assist against Canisius.
• Akron's 10 goals, 12 assists and 32 points in its 10-0 victory over Canisius represent NCAA single-game highs across Division I this season.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 14th in the NCAA in assists per game (2.30), 18th in total assists (23) and points per contest (6.30), 22nd in scoring offense (2.00), 25th in corner kicks (6.10), 28th in total points (63), 34th in total goals (20) and 43rd in shutout percentage (.400).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 24th in the NCAA in points per game (1.70), 26th in total goals (7), 27th in goals per contest (0.70), 29th in total points (17) and 37th in shots per game (3.30).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 0-0 draw at Bowling Green on Oct. 6 was the 24th of his Akron career to move him into sixth place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Ezana Kahsay is Akron's active career leader in goals (9), shots (76), shots on goal (25), games played (66) and game-winning goals (4), while Skye Harter paces the squad in assists (12) and points (26). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 51 games.Â
• The Zips own a 83-27-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 83 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
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 69-11-8 (.830) ledger in the month, including a 36-5-3 (.852) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
UP NEXT
Akron returns to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt versus West Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 13.
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MATCH NO. 11 - AKRON AT MICHIGAN STATE GAME NOTES (PDF) (10/9)Â
Akron (4-4-2) at No. 8 Michigan State (9-2-1)
Tuesday, Oct. 9
DeMartin Soccer Complex (2,500)
East Lansing, Mich. • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 27-13-12
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: Big Ten Network (TV provider subscription required)
Television: Big Ten Network
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team faces arguably its stiffest test of the season thus far on Tuesday, Oct. 9, as the Zips travel to East Lansing, Mich., for a showdown versus No. 8 Michigan State. The 7 p.m. match will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network with Dean Linke and Chris Doran calling the action.
AKRON VERSUS THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big Ten Conference for the first time this season and 185th time overall.
• Akron owns a 101-66-17 (.595) all-time record versus the current 14 members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Zips have gone 19-3-4 against the league since 2012.
• A season ago, Akron registered a 3-2 double-overtime victory past No. 13 Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament Third Round on Nov. 25, 2017, after earning a 4-1 triumph past then No. 1 Michigan State on Sept. 27, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• In all, Akron is 36-8-7 (.775) versus teams from the Big Ten since 2007. During that time, the Zips have out-scored the competition, 100-42.
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State has garnered victories in four of its last five contests, including a 2-0 decision past Maryland on Oct. 5, entering its match versus Akron on Tuesday, Oct. 9. Senior Ryan Sierakowski directs the offensive exploits for the Spartans owning team-high marks in goals (5), points (14), shots (27) and game-winners (2), while ranking second in assists (4) and shots on goal (14). Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague has recorded 35 saves and posted six shutouts, while maintaining a 0.57 goals against average this season.
As a team, Michigan State is ranked third in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.33), eighth in assists per game (2.42), ninth in total assists (29), 10th in winning percentage (.833), 13th in total goals (24), 14th in total points (77), 16th in points per game (6.42), 17th in shutout percentage (.500), 22nd in scoring offense (2.00), 26th in goals against average (.719) and 33rd in save percentage (.800). Individually, Hague is sixth in shutouts (6), ninth in goals against average (.571), 15th in save percentage (.833) and 20th in minutes played (1,103:24), while junior Giuseppe Barone is seventh in total assists (7) and 15th in assists per contest (0.58).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Michigan State for the 53rd time in program history with the Zips owning a 27-13-12 series advantage. A year ago, the Zips posted a 4-1 triumph over the top-rated Spartans on Sept. 27, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 27, 2017 - AKRON, OHIO)
Nate Shultz picked an opportune time for his first career multi-goal affair as his two goals propelled the 24th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team to a 4-1 victory over No. 1 Michigan State on Sept. 27, 2017, at FirstEnergy Stadium Cub Cadet Field.
The triumph marked highest-rated team the Zips had defeated at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field since then top-rated Akron handed No. 2 Tulsa a 4-0 setback on Sept. 24, 2010.
The Spartans came into their showdown with the Zips having surrendered only one goal on the campaign and it was Shultz' first tally of the season in the 16th minute (15:55) that ended Michigan State's run of three consecutive shutouts.
Nick Hinds delivered a ball in from the corner of the box to just outside the six-yard box which Shultz leveled into the back of the net for a 1-0 Zips' lead.
Akron continued to penetrate the Spartans' defensive third in the half as the Zips went on to post an 8-1 advantage in first-half shots, including 5-0 margin in shots on goal.
Sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) nearly extended Akron's lead to 2-0 at the 41:51 mark as only Jimmy Fiscus clearing the ball off the goal line for a team save prevented Egbo's goal.
Capitalizing on the momentum, Shultz earned his second tally of the evening in the 45th minute (44:28) off a pair of key inside-out passes for assists from redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) and Stuart Holthusen to push Akron's lead at halftime to 2-0.
Hinds continued his strong play in the second half as finessed his away around the Michigan State defenders at the 70:04 mark and blasted a ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season to give the Zips a 3-0 advantage.
Akron's bid for a third straight shutout was thwarted in the 81st minute (80:58) when Ryan Scott played a ball of his body and into the back of the net off an assist from Hunter Barone.
João Moutinho capped the Zips' scoring efforts on the evening registering his first career goal at the 84:50 mark to account for the final 4-1 margin. Egbo soared around the backline and played a ball into the box that Niko De Vera flicked off to Egbo, who rocketed a ball past Michigan State goalkeeper Jimmy Hague for the goal.
The Zips finished the affair garnering a 14-6 advantage in shots, including a 7-3 difference in shots on goal.
Moutinho collected a team- and career-high five shots, while Shultz and Egbo each tallied two strikes of their own. Six different Spartans recorded shots.
Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) made one save for the Zips, while Hague pulled in four stops for Michigan State.
THE COACHES
Michigan State: Damon Rensing is in his 10th season as head coach of the Michigan State program, owning a 112-62-28 (.624) record.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 83-27-13 mark (.728), including 130-47-21 (.710) 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 83-27-13 (.728) 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 193-40-29 (.792), including a 55-4-4 (.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.
AKRON EARNS LEAGUE POINT WITH 0-0 DRAW AT BOWLING GREEN
In a hard-fought contest played in wet and muddy conditions due to lingering rain and lightning, the University of Akron men's soccer team battled Bowling Green to a 0-0 draw in double overtime in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools on Saturday, Oct. 6.
The Zips outshot the Falcons on the evening, 21-7, including 10-2 on frame, and posted a 16-1 edge in corner kicks, but Akron was unable to find the golden goal in overtime to earn the triumph.
David Egbo directed the Zips' offensive efforts recording a game-best five shots. Contributing four, three and three shots, respectively, for Akron was freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) and senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea). Chris Brennan led Bowling Green with a team-high three shots.
The contest was played in rain early before action was halted due to lightning with 7:30 remaining in the opening stanza. The contest resumed nearly 40 minutes later as neither side found a goal in the opening 45 minutes of play.
Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) placed the first shot on goal of the evening on frame at the 17:11 mark, only to see his strike thwarted by a save from Falcons' goalkeeper Anthony Mwembia.
Ben Lundt denied the scoring chance with a save off a header by Moe Mustafa in the 30th minute (29:15).
Immediately before the lightning delay, senior Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) connected on a shot on goal at the 35:44 mark for the Zips, again denied by a Mwembia save.
Following the delay, Kahsay unleashed a shot in the 43rd minute (42:57) that was collected for a save by Mwembia.
The Zips outshot Bowling Green in the opening half, 6-3, including 3-1 on goal.
Lundt again made the save for Akron off a shot by Brennan in the 58th minute (57:15).
Shot by Pacheco and Skye Harter were denied by saves from Mwembia at the 70:29 and 73:36 marks, respectively.
With the clock winding down in the second half, Pacheco and freshman Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) posted shots on goal, which again were stopped by saves from Mwembia in the 83rd (82:08 and 82:42) minute.
The Zips bettered the Falcons in second-half shots, 8-4, including 4-1 on net.
Neither side was able to record a shot in the opening overtime period. In the second-overtime stanza, Akron registered seven shots, including three on goal, and garnered six corner kicks, but were unable to find the back of the net with the game-winner. Egbo, Tojaga and Harter each had shots on goal thwarted by saves from Mwembia over the final 10 minutes of the match.
Lundt finished the evening making two saves en route to collecting his fourth shutout of the season and 24th of his Akron career, while Mwembia made 10 stops to also earn the clean sheet.
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 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 five 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 six shots, including three on goal.
• Twenty-four players have seen action for Akron this season, including 13 newcomers.
• Marcel Zajac, David Egbo and Morgan Hackworth have contributed four, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' league-high total of 22.
• David Egbo's eight-point effort in a 10-0 triumph past Canisius (Sept. 15) marked the most points in a match for a Zip since Ørjan Bjånesø tallied three goals and added a pair of assists in a 7-1 win against St. Bonaventure on Oct. 20, 2000.
• Five different Zips registered goals in Akron's 10-0 victory over Canisius on Sept. 15, including a trio of multi-goal efforts from David Egbo (3), Ezana Kahsay (3) and Diogo Pacheco (2).
• Making his return from injury, Marcel Zajac had a career game against Cansius netting a goal and three assists in the Zips' victory on Sept. 15.
• Three different Akron players recorded their first collegiate points donning a Zips' uniform as Diogo Pacheco tallied two goals, while freshman Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) and junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) each posted an assist against Canisius.
• Akron's 10 goals, 12 assists and 32 points in its 10-0 victory over Canisius represent NCAA single-game highs across Division I this season.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 14th in the NCAA in assists per game (2.30), 18th in total assists (23) and points per contest (6.30), 22nd in scoring offense (2.00), 25th in corner kicks (6.10), 28th in total points (63), 34th in total goals (20) and 43rd in shutout percentage (.400).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 24th in the NCAA in points per game (1.70), 26th in total goals (7), 27th in goals per contest (0.70), 29th in total points (17) and 37th in shots per game (3.30).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 0-0 draw at Bowling Green on Oct. 6 was the 24th of his Akron career to move him into sixth place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Ezana Kahsay is Akron's active career leader in goals (9), shots (76), shots on goal (25), games played (66) and game-winning goals (4), while Skye Harter paces the squad in assists (12) and points (26). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 51 games.Â
• The Zips own a 83-27-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 83 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
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 69-11-8 (.830) ledger in the month, including a 36-5-3 (.852) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
UP NEXT
Akron returns to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt versus West Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 13.
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