The University of Akron Athletics
Thursday, November 15
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Rider
Zips Open NCAA Tournament Play Hosting Rider
November 14 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (10-6-2) vs. Rider (10-9-1)
Thursday, Nov. 15
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: First Meeting
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3
Television: ESPN3
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 14th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its second-ever NCAA Championship on Thursday, Nov. 15, as the Zips host Rider in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. The 7 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN app with Dave Bacon and Otto Orf calling the action.
ZIPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Akron maintains an 28-26-9 mark in 63 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 7-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 19-6-9 ledger.
Senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) is Akron's active leader in NCAA Tournament games played (7), while redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) and sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) have each started a team-high four games. Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) enters action versus Rider as the team's NCAA Tournament career scoring leader with a goal and an assist. He is the lone active Zip to have scored an NCAA Tournament goal and recorded an assist.
Harter has recorded a team-best six shots, including two on goal. Zajac, Kahsay, sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) and senior Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.) have recorded 5 (1), 4(0), 3 (2) and 2 (1) shot (shots on goal), respectively.
Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) registered a shutout in his first-ever NCAA Tournament game versus Villanova in 2016 and has started six tournament contests for Akron allowing five goals, while pulling in 14 saves en route to posting a trio of shutouts.
AKRON VERSUS THE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the second time this season and the fourth time in program history.
• In all, Akron is 3-0-0 (1.000) versus teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, all against Canisius, who the Zips bested 10-0 on Sept. 15 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
SIX SENIORS CONCLUDE HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Rider on Thursday, Nov. 15, will mark the final home game in the careers of seniors Morgan Hackworth, Ezana Kahsay, Joe Korb (Willowick, Ohio), Ben Lundt, Marco Micaletto (Rome, Italy) and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio).
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 36 matches, including 15 starts and owns three goals, while adding eight assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 74 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered 10 goals, while adding nine assists on the strength of a team-high 87 shots, including 28 on goal.
Korb joined the Zips prior to the 2016 season and has appeared in 21 matches, including 11 starts and has posted three career assists.
Lundt has started all 58 contests he has appeared in for Akron since joining the squad for the 2016 campaign. He ranks among the top-10 career lists for the Zips in goals against average (0.932), shutouts (26) and wins (36).
Mohamed has started 17 of the Zips' 18 contests this season owning a pair of assists, while adding 16 shots, including eight on frame and has helped Akron's defense to record seven shutouts.
Micaletto joined the Zips' squad this fall after playing his first three seasons at Young Harris College and has started eight of 18 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking third on the team in shots (24) and fifth shots on goal (8), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING RIDER
Rider enters play on Thursday, Nov. 15, versus the Zips unbeaten in its last five matches, all by shutouts, following a 1-0 victory over Quinnipiac in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title game on Nov. 11. Senior Elliott Otmani directs the offensive exploits for the Broncs owning team-high marks in assists (10), points (24), shots (54) and shots on goal (30), while ranking second in goals (7). Sophomore goalkeeper Pablo Gatinois has recorded 54 saves and posted seven shutouts, while maintaining a 0.73 goals against average this season.
As a team, Rider is ranked 33rd in the NCAA in goals against average (.874) and 44th in save percentage (.783). Individually, Otmani is sixth in total assists (10), 15th in assists per game (0.50), 40th in total points (24) and 43rd in shots on goal (1.50), while Gatinois ranks 20th in save percentage (.818), 21st in shutouts (7) and 22nd in goals against average (.734).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Rider are squaring off for the first time in program history.
THE COACHES
Rider: Charlie Inverso is in his eighth season as head coach of the Rider program, owning a 73-66-13 (.523) record. Overall in 32 years as a head coach he maintains a 507-112-27 (.806) mark.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 89-29-13 mark (.729), including 136-49-21 (.711) 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 89-29-13 (.729) 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 199-42-29 (.791), including a 56-6-4 (.879) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing 11 conference tournament titles, 12 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 15TH MAC TOURNAMENT TITLE WITH 3-0 WIN OVER WESTERN MICHIGAN
Sparked by three-second half goals, including a pair from Marcel Zajac, the University of Akron men's soccer team captured its 15th Mid-American Conference Tournament title and 33rd NCAA Tournament berth with a 3-0 victory over Western Michigan in the championship match of the MAC Tournament on Nov. 11, at Dick Dlesk Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va.
Akron earned its seventh consecutive league tournament title with the triumph and will be making its 12th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Zajac was selected as the Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Ezana Kahsay, Abdi Mohamed and freshman Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) rounded out the all-tournament field for the Zips.
Akron outshot Western Michigan on the afternoon, 17-10, including 11-2 on goal. The Zips received a game-high three shots apiece from David Egbo, Skye Harter, Mohamed and Zajac. Anthony Bowie led the Broncos with a team-best three shots.
Ben Lundt earned his 26th career shutout as a Zip and sixth this season with a two-save performance, while Western Michigan goalkeeper Lukas Von Lienen made eight stops for the Broncos.
Locked in a scoreless affair at halftime, the Zips continued their aggressive offensive attack to begin the second half and were rewarded when Egbo scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 65th minute (64:32). Freshman Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio) served a ball into the box off a corner kick that Marco Micaletto flicked to a charging Egbo, who found the back of the net for his team-leading 10th goal of the season.
The Broncos recorded their only shots on goal on the afternoon at the 65:24 and 68:42 marks, respectively, both were unrewarded after saves by Lundt.
Sparked by stout defensive play the entire match from freshmen Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and Ritaccio, along with Mohamed, Daniel Strachan and Lundt, the Zips continued to deny scoring chances from the Broncos.
Akron extended its advantage to 2-0 at the 84:53 mark when Zajac delivered his fourth goal of the season. Setting up the tally with a pair of strong passes for assists was Micaletto and Mohamed.
Zajac capped the scoring efforts scoring an empty-net tally in the 88th minute (87:49) to complete his second career multiple-goal. Earning the assist on the goal was Kahsay.
The Zips nearly garnered the first goal of the afternoon in the 35th minute as Harter's shot in the box was blocked before Micaletto rocketed the deflection towards net, only to see his attempted thwarted with a save.
Akron posted a 13-3 advantage in shots in the opening stanza, including 7-0 on goal.
ZIPS MOURN THE LOSS OF FORMER COACH STEVE PARKER
The University of Akron men's soccer team mourns the passing of its former head coach Steve Parker, who guided the Zips for 11 seasons (1982-1992), including taking Akron to its first-ever College Cup in 1986, falling to Duke, 1-0, in the title game.
Born in Slough, England, Parker died on Friday, Nov. 9th, 2018 in Franklin, Tenn., at the age of 72. He was surrounded by his loving family on all sides, through his last days until the very end.
Steve is survived by his wife Paula, and his 4 children Eric, Andrew, Stephannie, and Craig. His long list of contributions to our world include services to a vast array of schools, universities, clubs, and sporting organizations, such as the United States Soccer Federation.
In 11 seasons leading the Akron program, Parker's teams posted an overall record of 139-59-25 (.679) and won double-figures games in all but one season.
ZAJAC EARNS NATIONAL HONORS
Marcel Zajac capped his award-winning week with his selection on Nov. 13, as the TopDrawerSoccer.com and United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week.
On Nov. 12, College Soccer News named Zajac to their National Team of the Week. Additionally, Akron Athletics honored him as the Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week.
Zajac turned in an outstanding week for the Zips registering team-high marks in goals (3), points (7), shots (10), shots on goal (5) and game-winners (1) en route to leading the fourth-seeded Zips to their 15th Mid-American Conference Tournament title and 33rd NCAA Tournament berth with a trio of victories on the week. Zajac's efforts were rewarded as he was named the Most Valuable Player of the MAC Tournament.
He opened his week scoring the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute (32:51) to propel the Zips to a 2-1 victory past SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 6 in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals. He finished the contest with a game-high three shots.
In Akron's 3-1 win over No. 12 West Virginia on Nov. 9, Zajac again led the Zips with a game-high four shots and added an assist on the second of two goals on the day by Carlo Ritaccio.
He capped his week registering his second career multi-goal game posting a pair of second-half tallies in a 3-0 triumph versus Western Michigan in the MAC title game on Nov. 11. Zajac again led Akron with a game-high three shots, all of which fell on frame.
On the season, Zajac owns five goals and a team-high seven assists on the strength of 27 shots, including 15 on goal. He has scored a point in six of Akron's last seven games.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• The victory over Western Michigan on Nov. 11 enabled the Zips to extend their run of double-digit victory campaigns to 18 straight seasons.
• Akron owns a 9-0-1 mark in its last 10 NCAA Tournament openers, including a 9-0-0 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• The Zips have won four consecutive games for the first time this season.
• In three MAC Tournament games this season,the Zips outshot SIU Edwardsville, West Virginia and Western Michigan by a combined 52-20 margin, including 22-7 on goal.
• Since the 2007 campaign when head coach Jared Embick arrived at Akron, the Zips owns a 11-0-0 mark in the MAC title game.
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in six of Akron's last seven matches.
• Akron owns a Mid-American Conference-best four victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the latest NCAA RPI report. The Zips have bettered No. 21 West Virginia (3-1 on Nov. 9), No. 31 Creighton (1-0 on Oct. 16), No. 33 Michigan State (2-1 on Oct. 9) and No. 42 Pittsburgh (1-0 on Sept. 1).
• Akron also had a pair of scheduled matches versus No. 6 Notre Dame (Oct. 23) and No. 24 Connecticut (Sept. 15) canceled due to Hurricane Florence.
• The Zips also hold a league-best two victories over top-10 opponents this season bettering No. 8 Michigan State and No. 8 Creighton by scores of 2-1 and 1-0, respectively, on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.
• The Zips have proven to be a challenge for league opponents defensively as Akron paced the MAC in conference-only matches goals allowed (1.00) and shutouts (0.50), while finishing second in goals against average (0.94).
• Ben Lundt directed the MAC in league-only tilts in goals against average (0.62) and shutouts (0.67) and was second in saves per game (4.33).
• The Zips registered back-to-back-to-back victories over ranked opponents Creighton, Michigan State and West Virginia after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 6-1-1 mark in their last seven matches away from home on the strength of four and three goals, respectively, from David Egbo and Diogo Pacheco. Akron has averaged 14.2 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 9.1 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 70-25 margin in corner kicks and a 114-73 edge in total shots.
• In 13 games since returning from injury, Marcel Zajac has provided the Zips with a huge lift offensively contributing five goals and team-high seven assists, while adding 27 shots, including 15 on goal.
• As a team, the Zips are rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.33), ninth in assists per game (2.28), 10th in total assists (41), 16th in points per contest (6.06), 20th in total points (109), 25th in total goals (34), 27th in scoring offense (1.89) and 40th in shutout percentage (.389).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 10th in the NCAA in game-winning goals (5), 30th in goals per contest (0.59), 31st in total goals (10) and 47th in points per game (1.35).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 victory versus Western Michigan on Nov. 11 was the 26th of his Akron career to move him into fourth place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Marcel Zajac is Akron's active career leaders in goals (12), points (32) and shots on goal (36). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (87), games played (74) and game-winning goals (5). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (16) and points (32). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 58 games.
• In Akron's 10 wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 28-6. Akron has outshot the opposition 145-92, including 64-29 on goal. Fifteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering eight goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns five shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 89-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 89 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
• Akron is averaging 11.9 shots per contest in seven games against ranked opponents this season. David Egbo paces the squad with a trio of goals on the strength of a team-high 13 shots.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating fourth in career shutouts (27), seventh in minutes played (5,793.29), 23rd in goals against average (.948) and 33rd in saves (168). He is also 16th across all divisions in career shutouts. Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 36th in career points (60), 40th in assists (16) and 43rd in goals (22).
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MATCH NO. 19 - AKRON VS. RIDER GAME NOTES (PDF) (11/15)Â
Akron (10-6-2) vs. Rider (10-9-1)
Thursday, Nov. 15
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: First Meeting
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3
Television: ESPN3
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 14th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its second-ever NCAA Championship on Thursday, Nov. 15, as the Zips host Rider in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. The 7 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN app with Dave Bacon and Otto Orf calling the action.
ZIPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Akron maintains an 28-26-9 mark in 63 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 7-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 19-6-9 ledger.
Senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) is Akron's active leader in NCAA Tournament games played (7), while redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) and sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) have each started a team-high four games. Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) enters action versus Rider as the team's NCAA Tournament career scoring leader with a goal and an assist. He is the lone active Zip to have scored an NCAA Tournament goal and recorded an assist.
Harter has recorded a team-best six shots, including two on goal. Zajac, Kahsay, sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) and senior Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.) have recorded 5 (1), 4(0), 3 (2) and 2 (1) shot (shots on goal), respectively.
Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) registered a shutout in his first-ever NCAA Tournament game versus Villanova in 2016 and has started six tournament contests for Akron allowing five goals, while pulling in 14 saves en route to posting a trio of shutouts.
AKRON VERSUS THE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the second time this season and the fourth time in program history.
• In all, Akron is 3-0-0 (1.000) versus teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, all against Canisius, who the Zips bested 10-0 on Sept. 15 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
SIX SENIORS CONCLUDE HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Rider on Thursday, Nov. 15, will mark the final home game in the careers of seniors Morgan Hackworth, Ezana Kahsay, Joe Korb (Willowick, Ohio), Ben Lundt, Marco Micaletto (Rome, Italy) and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio).
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 36 matches, including 15 starts and owns three goals, while adding eight assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 74 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered 10 goals, while adding nine assists on the strength of a team-high 87 shots, including 28 on goal.
Korb joined the Zips prior to the 2016 season and has appeared in 21 matches, including 11 starts and has posted three career assists.
Lundt has started all 58 contests he has appeared in for Akron since joining the squad for the 2016 campaign. He ranks among the top-10 career lists for the Zips in goals against average (0.932), shutouts (26) and wins (36).
Mohamed has started 17 of the Zips' 18 contests this season owning a pair of assists, while adding 16 shots, including eight on frame and has helped Akron's defense to record seven shutouts.
Micaletto joined the Zips' squad this fall after playing his first three seasons at Young Harris College and has started eight of 18 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking third on the team in shots (24) and fifth shots on goal (8), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING RIDER
Rider enters play on Thursday, Nov. 15, versus the Zips unbeaten in its last five matches, all by shutouts, following a 1-0 victory over Quinnipiac in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title game on Nov. 11. Senior Elliott Otmani directs the offensive exploits for the Broncs owning team-high marks in assists (10), points (24), shots (54) and shots on goal (30), while ranking second in goals (7). Sophomore goalkeeper Pablo Gatinois has recorded 54 saves and posted seven shutouts, while maintaining a 0.73 goals against average this season.
As a team, Rider is ranked 33rd in the NCAA in goals against average (.874) and 44th in save percentage (.783). Individually, Otmani is sixth in total assists (10), 15th in assists per game (0.50), 40th in total points (24) and 43rd in shots on goal (1.50), while Gatinois ranks 20th in save percentage (.818), 21st in shutouts (7) and 22nd in goals against average (.734).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Rider are squaring off for the first time in program history.
THE COACHES
Rider: Charlie Inverso is in his eighth season as head coach of the Rider program, owning a 73-66-13 (.523) record. Overall in 32 years as a head coach he maintains a 507-112-27 (.806) mark.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 89-29-13 mark (.729), including 136-49-21 (.711) 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 89-29-13 (.729) 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 199-42-29 (.791), including a 56-6-4 (.879) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing 11 conference tournament titles, 12 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 15TH MAC TOURNAMENT TITLE WITH 3-0 WIN OVER WESTERN MICHIGAN
Sparked by three-second half goals, including a pair from Marcel Zajac, the University of Akron men's soccer team captured its 15th Mid-American Conference Tournament title and 33rd NCAA Tournament berth with a 3-0 victory over Western Michigan in the championship match of the MAC Tournament on Nov. 11, at Dick Dlesk Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va.
Akron earned its seventh consecutive league tournament title with the triumph and will be making its 12th straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Zajac was selected as the Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Ezana Kahsay, Abdi Mohamed and freshman Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) rounded out the all-tournament field for the Zips.
Akron outshot Western Michigan on the afternoon, 17-10, including 11-2 on goal. The Zips received a game-high three shots apiece from David Egbo, Skye Harter, Mohamed and Zajac. Anthony Bowie led the Broncos with a team-best three shots.
Ben Lundt earned his 26th career shutout as a Zip and sixth this season with a two-save performance, while Western Michigan goalkeeper Lukas Von Lienen made eight stops for the Broncos.
Locked in a scoreless affair at halftime, the Zips continued their aggressive offensive attack to begin the second half and were rewarded when Egbo scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 65th minute (64:32). Freshman Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio) served a ball into the box off a corner kick that Marco Micaletto flicked to a charging Egbo, who found the back of the net for his team-leading 10th goal of the season.
The Broncos recorded their only shots on goal on the afternoon at the 65:24 and 68:42 marks, respectively, both were unrewarded after saves by Lundt.
Sparked by stout defensive play the entire match from freshmen Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and Ritaccio, along with Mohamed, Daniel Strachan and Lundt, the Zips continued to deny scoring chances from the Broncos.
Akron extended its advantage to 2-0 at the 84:53 mark when Zajac delivered his fourth goal of the season. Setting up the tally with a pair of strong passes for assists was Micaletto and Mohamed.
Zajac capped the scoring efforts scoring an empty-net tally in the 88th minute (87:49) to complete his second career multiple-goal. Earning the assist on the goal was Kahsay.
The Zips nearly garnered the first goal of the afternoon in the 35th minute as Harter's shot in the box was blocked before Micaletto rocketed the deflection towards net, only to see his attempted thwarted with a save.
Akron posted a 13-3 advantage in shots in the opening stanza, including 7-0 on goal.
ZIPS MOURN THE LOSS OF FORMER COACH STEVE PARKER
The University of Akron men's soccer team mourns the passing of its former head coach Steve Parker, who guided the Zips for 11 seasons (1982-1992), including taking Akron to its first-ever College Cup in 1986, falling to Duke, 1-0, in the title game.
Born in Slough, England, Parker died on Friday, Nov. 9th, 2018 in Franklin, Tenn., at the age of 72. He was surrounded by his loving family on all sides, through his last days until the very end.
Steve is survived by his wife Paula, and his 4 children Eric, Andrew, Stephannie, and Craig. His long list of contributions to our world include services to a vast array of schools, universities, clubs, and sporting organizations, such as the United States Soccer Federation.
In 11 seasons leading the Akron program, Parker's teams posted an overall record of 139-59-25 (.679) and won double-figures games in all but one season.
ZAJAC EARNS NATIONAL HONORS
Marcel Zajac capped his award-winning week with his selection on Nov. 13, as the TopDrawerSoccer.com and United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week.
On Nov. 12, College Soccer News named Zajac to their National Team of the Week. Additionally, Akron Athletics honored him as the Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week.
Zajac turned in an outstanding week for the Zips registering team-high marks in goals (3), points (7), shots (10), shots on goal (5) and game-winners (1) en route to leading the fourth-seeded Zips to their 15th Mid-American Conference Tournament title and 33rd NCAA Tournament berth with a trio of victories on the week. Zajac's efforts were rewarded as he was named the Most Valuable Player of the MAC Tournament.
He opened his week scoring the game-winning goal in the 33rd minute (32:51) to propel the Zips to a 2-1 victory past SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 6 in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals. He finished the contest with a game-high three shots.
In Akron's 3-1 win over No. 12 West Virginia on Nov. 9, Zajac again led the Zips with a game-high four shots and added an assist on the second of two goals on the day by Carlo Ritaccio.
He capped his week registering his second career multi-goal game posting a pair of second-half tallies in a 3-0 triumph versus Western Michigan in the MAC title game on Nov. 11. Zajac again led Akron with a game-high three shots, all of which fell on frame.
On the season, Zajac owns five goals and a team-high seven assists on the strength of 27 shots, including 15 on goal. He has scored a point in six of Akron's last seven games.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• The victory over Western Michigan on Nov. 11 enabled the Zips to extend their run of double-digit victory campaigns to 18 straight seasons.
• Akron owns a 9-0-1 mark in its last 10 NCAA Tournament openers, including a 9-0-0 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• The Zips have won four consecutive games for the first time this season.
• In three MAC Tournament games this season,the Zips outshot SIU Edwardsville, West Virginia and Western Michigan by a combined 52-20 margin, including 22-7 on goal.
• Since the 2007 campaign when head coach Jared Embick arrived at Akron, the Zips owns a 11-0-0 mark in the MAC title game.
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in six of Akron's last seven matches.
• Akron owns a Mid-American Conference-best four victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the latest NCAA RPI report. The Zips have bettered No. 21 West Virginia (3-1 on Nov. 9), No. 31 Creighton (1-0 on Oct. 16), No. 33 Michigan State (2-1 on Oct. 9) and No. 42 Pittsburgh (1-0 on Sept. 1).
• Akron also had a pair of scheduled matches versus No. 6 Notre Dame (Oct. 23) and No. 24 Connecticut (Sept. 15) canceled due to Hurricane Florence.
• The Zips also hold a league-best two victories over top-10 opponents this season bettering No. 8 Michigan State and No. 8 Creighton by scores of 2-1 and 1-0, respectively, on Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.
• The Zips have proven to be a challenge for league opponents defensively as Akron paced the MAC in conference-only matches goals allowed (1.00) and shutouts (0.50), while finishing second in goals against average (0.94).
• Ben Lundt directed the MAC in league-only tilts in goals against average (0.62) and shutouts (0.67) and was second in saves per game (4.33).
• The Zips registered back-to-back-to-back victories over ranked opponents Creighton, Michigan State and West Virginia after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 6-1-1 mark in their last seven matches away from home on the strength of four and three goals, respectively, from David Egbo and Diogo Pacheco. Akron has averaged 14.2 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 9.1 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 70-25 margin in corner kicks and a 114-73 edge in total shots.
• In 13 games since returning from injury, Marcel Zajac has provided the Zips with a huge lift offensively contributing five goals and team-high seven assists, while adding 27 shots, including 15 on goal.
• As a team, the Zips are rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.33), ninth in assists per game (2.28), 10th in total assists (41), 16th in points per contest (6.06), 20th in total points (109), 25th in total goals (34), 27th in scoring offense (1.89) and 40th in shutout percentage (.389).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 10th in the NCAA in game-winning goals (5), 30th in goals per contest (0.59), 31st in total goals (10) and 47th in points per game (1.35).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 victory versus Western Michigan on Nov. 11 was the 26th of his Akron career to move him into fourth place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Marcel Zajac is Akron's active career leaders in goals (12), points (32) and shots on goal (36). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (87), games played (74) and game-winning goals (5). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (16) and points (32). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 58 games.
• In Akron's 10 wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 28-6. Akron has outshot the opposition 145-92, including 64-29 on goal. Fifteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering eight goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns five shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 89-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 89 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
• Akron is averaging 11.9 shots per contest in seven games against ranked opponents this season. David Egbo paces the squad with a trio of goals on the strength of a team-high 13 shots.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating fourth in career shutouts (27), seventh in minutes played (5,793.29), 23rd in goals against average (.948) and 33rd in saves (168). He is also 16th across all divisions in career shutouts. Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 36th in career points (60), 40th in assists (16) and 43rd in goals (22).
UP NEXT
A victory by the Zips will send Akron into a second-round showdown at Syracuse on Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m..
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/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Cleveland State - 9/1/2025
Tuesday, September 02
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Press Conference vs Northern Kentucky - 8/24/25
Monday, August 25
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Season Preview with Student-Athletes - 8/19/25
Tuesday, August 19
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Season Preview with Coach Embick - 8/19/25
Tuesday, August 19
