The University of Akron Athletics
Sunday, November 18
Hamilton, NY
2:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Syracuse
Zips Set for NCAA Tournament Second-Round Match Against Syracuse
November 17 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (11-6-2) vs. No. 20 Syracuse (7-6-4)
Sunday, Nov. 18
Beyer-Small '76 Field (1,300)
Hamilton, N.Y. • 2 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 2-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: None
Television: None
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 Sunday, Nov. 18, as the Zips travel to Hamilton, N.Y. to face 16th-seeded and 20th-rated Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The game was moved to Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. due to field conditions at the SU Soccer Stadium. Game time remains at 2 p.m. at Beyer-Small '76 Field. No streaming will be available for the contest at this time.
ZIPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Akron maintains an 29-26-9 mark in 64 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 8-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 20-6-9 ledger.
Senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) is Akron's active leader in NCAA Tournament games played (8), while redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) has started a team-high five games. Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) enters action versus Syracuse as the team's NCAA Tournament career scoring leader with a pair of goals and an assist, while sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) has also contributed a pair of goals.
Harter has recorded a team-best eight shots, including two on goal. Egbo, Zajac, Kahsay, seniors Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) and Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.), freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) and Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio) along with redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) have registered 7 (4), 7 (2), 6 (1), 5 (1), 3 (1), 3 (0), 2 (0), 1 (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 seven tournament contests for Akron allowing six goals, while pulling in 18 saves en route to posting a trio of shutouts.
AKRON VERSUS THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference for the fourth time this season and 70th time overall.
• Akron owns a 38-25-6 (.594) all-time record versus the current 12 members of the ACC.
• In their last encounter with a school from the ACC, the Zips suffered a 3-1 home setback against Syracuse on Oct. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. Earlier this season, the Zips bested Pittsburgh, 1-0, on Sept. 1, while dropping a 2-0 decision versus No. 17 North Carolina State on Aug. 27. A year ago, Akron battled No. 6 Louisville to a 0-0 double-overtime draw in the Elite Eight of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, before advancing to the program's fifth College Cup with a 4-3 triumph in penalty kicks. A year ago, Akron also registered a 1-0 win at Syracuse, 1-0, on Oct. 3, while besting No. 8 Notre Dame, 2-0, on Oct. 17, before earning a 3-0 triumph over No. 20 Pittsburgh on Oct. 24.
SIX SENIORS CONCLUDE HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Rider on Nov. 15, marked 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.
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 37 matches, including 16 starts and owns three goals, while adding nine assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 75 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered 10 goals, while adding nine assists on the strength of a team-high 89 shots, including 29 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 59 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 (0.933), shutouts (26) and wins (37).
Mohamed has started 18 of the Zips' 19 contests this season owning a pair of assists, while adding 21 shots, including nine 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 19 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking fourth on the team in shots (24) and fifth shots on goal (8), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING SYRACUSE
Syracuse enters play on Sunday, Nov. 18, versus the Zips winless in its last four matches, following a 3-1 setback at No. 22 Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Oct. 31. Sophomore Tajon Buchanan directs the offensive exploits for the Orange owning team-high marks in goals (8), points (20), shots (45) and shots on goal (23), while freshman Ryan Raposo paces the squad in assists (7) and game-winners (2). Senior goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert has recorded 49 saves and posted five shutouts, while maintaining a 1.29 goals against average this season.
As a team, Syracuse is ranked 21st in the NCAA in points per contest (5.76) and scoring offense (1.94), 23rd in assists per game (1.88), 26th in shots on goal (6.41), 30th in total points (98), 31st in total assists (32) and total goals (33) and 35th in shots per tilt (13.94). Individually, Buchan is 23rd in shots on goal (1.64), 31st in points per outing (1.43), 33rd in goals per game (0.57) and 42nd in shots per tilt (3.21).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Syracuse are squaring off for the fourth time in program history and second time on the campaign. Earlier this season, the Orange garnered a 3-1 victory over the Zips on Oct. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. A year ago, Akron posted a 1-0 triumph past Syracuse on Oct. 3, 2017 in Syracuse, N.Y. In the only other encounter between the schools, the Zips earned a 2-1 decision over the Orange on Sept. 5, 1987.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 1, 2018 - AKRON, OHIO)
The University of Akron men's soccer team was unable to convert on its scoring opportunities and Syracuse's Jonathan Hagman registered a hat trick to spark the Orange to a 3-1 victory past the Zips at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Oct. 1.
Hagman toed in a trio of tallies in the 29th (28:27), 52nd (51:08) and 66th (65:08) minutes, respectively, off of defensive deflections from shot attempts by Syracuse within the box.
Akron finished the contest owning a 20-10 advantage in shots, although the Orange posted a 6-5 margin in shots on frame.
David Egbo registered a game-high seven shots for the Zips, while Diogo Pacheco added five shots. Hagman and Tajon Buchanan led Syracuse with a team-best three shots apiece, while Buchanan also collected a pair of assists.
Colin Biros prevented the Zips from being shutout in the affair connecting on his first career goal at the 84:24 mark off an assist from Pacheco.
Egbo nearly netted goal in the eighth minute (8:00) as only a clearance off the goal line by John-Austin Ricks for a team save prevented Akron from assuming a 1-0 lead.
Pacheco narrowly missed finding the corner of the net at the 21:44 mark as his strike off a ball played over the defense by Egbo was blocked resulting in a corner kick.
Hagman scored what proved to be the game-winning tally for Syracuse in the 29th minute (28:27) redirecting a shot by Buchanan that was deflected for a save by Ben Lundt.
Marco Micaletto nearly netted the equalizer at the 43:49 mark as his strike in the box was denied for a save by Hendrik Hilpert. Micaletto's second-chance opportunity on the deflection went wide to send the Zips into the intermission trailing 1-0.
The Orange posted a 3-2 margin in shots on goal in the opening stanza despite being outshot overall by Akron, 11-4.
Hagman scored nearly an identical goal as his first of the evening in the 52nd minute (51:08) off another assist by Buchanan to push Syracuse's lead to 2-0.
Hagman capped his hat trick at the 65:08 mark delivering a ball into the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Severin Soerlie to make it 3-0 in favor of the Orange.
Lundt and Hilpert each finished the evening with three saves apiece.
THE COACHES
Syracuse: Ian McIntyre is in his eighth season as head coach of the Rider program, owning a 88-62-25 (.574) record. Overall in 19 years as a head coach he maintains a 193-126-57 (.589) mark.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 90-29-13 mark (.731), including 137-49-21 (.713) 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 90-29-13 (.731) 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 200-42-29 (.792), 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.
ZIPS OPEN NCAA TOURNAMENT WITH 3-1 VICTORY PAST RIDER
The 14th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team registered three second-half goals, including a pair from David Egbo, to garner a 3-1 victory over Rider in the Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament on a snow-swept evening at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Nov. 15.
Akron broke open a tightly-contested opening half outshooting the Broncs, 16-6, over the final 45 minutes of regulation, en route to posting a 22-12 advantage in shots, including 6-5 on goal.
Abdi Mohamed proved to be dual-threat for the Zips at both ends of the field as he recorded a game-high five shots. Egbo and Sam Tojaga added four and three shots, respectively, for Akron. Pablo DeCastro, who accounted for Rider's lone goal, led the Broncs with a team-high five shots.
Ben Lundt helped the Zips earn the victory making four saves, while Garrett Potter made three stops for Rider.
The Broncs registered five of the first six shots on the evening, including strikes by DeCastro and Arthur Herpreck at the 10:25 and 14:13 marks, respectively, that were thwarted by saves from Lundt.
Akron's best scoring chance in the opening stanza came in the 45th minute (44:16) when Diogo Pacheco unleashed a laser in the box, off a pass from Mohamed, that Potter denied with a save.
The two sides entered the intermission locked in a scoreless contest with each side posting six first-half shots.
Tojaga nearly got the Zips on the board at the 48:52 mark as his strike in the box narrowly missed bending into the corner of the net for a goal.
Just over a minute later in the 51st minute (50:16), Egbo intercepted the ball from the Rider defender and found his way to the top of the box where he connected on his team-leading 11th goal of the season to give Akron a 1-0 lead.
Colin Biros, who was stout for the Zips in the midfield on the night, came up just wide on his shot at the 58:17 mark.
Lundt delivered a save on a shot by Elliott Otmani in the 62nd minute (61:50), while Potter stopped Mohamed's shot on goal at the 62:39 mark.
The Broncs netter the equalizer in the 78th minute (77:07) when DeCastro headed home his ninth goal of the season off a strong cross into the box from Emmanuel Kouma.
The lead was short-lived as Egbo scored what proved the be the game-winning tally at the 83:13 mark off an assist from Morgan Hackworth. The goal was Egbo's 12th of the season.
Rider was whistled for a foul in the box on a tackle in the box on Ezana Kahsay in the 88th minute (87:15). Stepping to the line and connecting on the penalty kick for his sixth goal of the year was Marcel Zajac.
AKRON EARNS MAC TOURNAMENT TITLE WITH 3-0 WIN OVER WMU
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). Colin Biros 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 six goals and a team-high seven assists on the strength of 29 shots, including 16 on goal. He has scored a point in seven of Akron's last eight 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 11 NCAA Tournament openers, including a 10-0-0 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• The Zips have won five consecutive games for the first time this season.
• During Akron's current winning streak, the Zips have outshot their opponents, 88-54, including 33-18 on goal. Akron has also posted a 55-18 advantage in corner kicks.
• 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.
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in seven of Akron's last eight 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).
• 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 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.
• Marcel Zajac, Skye Harter, Ezana Kahsay, Marco Micaletto, Morgan Hackworth, David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed have contributed seven, six, four, four, four, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' total of 42.
• As a team, the Zips are rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.42), 11th in assists per game (2.21) and in total assists (42), 15th in points per contest (6.11), 17th in total points (116), 18th in total goals (37), 19th in scoring offense (1.95), 44th in shots per game (13.74), 46th in winning percentage (.632) and 49th in shutout percentage (.368).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked fourth in the NCAA in game-winning goals (6), 15th in total goals (12), 17th in goals per contest (0.67), 23rd in points per game (1.50) and 24th in total points (27).
• 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 (13), points (34) and shots on goal (37). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (89), games played (75), while David Egbo leads the team in goals (13) and game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (16). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 59 games.
• In Akron's 11 wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 31-7. Akron has outshot the opposition 167-104, including 70-34 on goal. Fifteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering 10 goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns five shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 90-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 90 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 (5,883.29), 23rd in goals against average (.948) and 33rd in saves (171). 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 third-round showdown against the winner of the match between top-seeded Wake Forest and Colgate next weekend.
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MATCH NO. 20 - AKRON VS. SYRACUSE GAME NOTES (PDF) (11/18)Â
Akron (11-6-2) vs. No. 20 Syracuse (7-6-4)
Sunday, Nov. 18
Beyer-Small '76 Field (1,300)
Hamilton, N.Y. • 2 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 2-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: None
Television: None
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 Sunday, Nov. 18, as the Zips travel to Hamilton, N.Y. to face 16th-seeded and 20th-rated Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The game was moved to Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. due to field conditions at the SU Soccer Stadium. Game time remains at 2 p.m. at Beyer-Small '76 Field. No streaming will be available for the contest at this time.
ZIPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Akron maintains an 29-26-9 mark in 64 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 8-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 20-6-9 ledger.
Senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) is Akron's active leader in NCAA Tournament games played (8), while redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) has started a team-high five games. Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) enters action versus Syracuse as the team's NCAA Tournament career scoring leader with a pair of goals and an assist, while sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) has also contributed a pair of goals.
Harter has recorded a team-best eight shots, including two on goal. Egbo, Zajac, Kahsay, seniors Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) and Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.), freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) and Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio) along with redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) have registered 7 (4), 7 (2), 6 (1), 5 (1), 3 (1), 3 (0), 2 (0), 1 (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 seven tournament contests for Akron allowing six goals, while pulling in 18 saves en route to posting a trio of shutouts.
AKRON VERSUS THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference for the fourth time this season and 70th time overall.
• Akron owns a 38-25-6 (.594) all-time record versus the current 12 members of the ACC.
• In their last encounter with a school from the ACC, the Zips suffered a 3-1 home setback against Syracuse on Oct. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. Earlier this season, the Zips bested Pittsburgh, 1-0, on Sept. 1, while dropping a 2-0 decision versus No. 17 North Carolina State on Aug. 27. A year ago, Akron battled No. 6 Louisville to a 0-0 double-overtime draw in the Elite Eight of the 2017 NCAA Tournament, before advancing to the program's fifth College Cup with a 4-3 triumph in penalty kicks. A year ago, Akron also registered a 1-0 win at Syracuse, 1-0, on Oct. 3, while besting No. 8 Notre Dame, 2-0, on Oct. 17, before earning a 3-0 triumph over No. 20 Pittsburgh on Oct. 24.
SIX SENIORS CONCLUDE HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Rider on Nov. 15, marked 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.
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 37 matches, including 16 starts and owns three goals, while adding nine assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 75 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered 10 goals, while adding nine assists on the strength of a team-high 89 shots, including 29 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 59 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 (0.933), shutouts (26) and wins (37).
Mohamed has started 18 of the Zips' 19 contests this season owning a pair of assists, while adding 21 shots, including nine 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 19 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking fourth on the team in shots (24) and fifth shots on goal (8), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING SYRACUSE
Syracuse enters play on Sunday, Nov. 18, versus the Zips winless in its last four matches, following a 3-1 setback at No. 22 Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament on Oct. 31. Sophomore Tajon Buchanan directs the offensive exploits for the Orange owning team-high marks in goals (8), points (20), shots (45) and shots on goal (23), while freshman Ryan Raposo paces the squad in assists (7) and game-winners (2). Senior goalkeeper Hendrik Hilpert has recorded 49 saves and posted five shutouts, while maintaining a 1.29 goals against average this season.
As a team, Syracuse is ranked 21st in the NCAA in points per contest (5.76) and scoring offense (1.94), 23rd in assists per game (1.88), 26th in shots on goal (6.41), 30th in total points (98), 31st in total assists (32) and total goals (33) and 35th in shots per tilt (13.94). Individually, Buchan is 23rd in shots on goal (1.64), 31st in points per outing (1.43), 33rd in goals per game (0.57) and 42nd in shots per tilt (3.21).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Syracuse are squaring off for the fourth time in program history and second time on the campaign. Earlier this season, the Orange garnered a 3-1 victory over the Zips on Oct. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. A year ago, Akron posted a 1-0 triumph past Syracuse on Oct. 3, 2017 in Syracuse, N.Y. In the only other encounter between the schools, the Zips earned a 2-1 decision over the Orange on Sept. 5, 1987.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 1, 2018 - AKRON, OHIO)
The University of Akron men's soccer team was unable to convert on its scoring opportunities and Syracuse's Jonathan Hagman registered a hat trick to spark the Orange to a 3-1 victory past the Zips at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Oct. 1.
Hagman toed in a trio of tallies in the 29th (28:27), 52nd (51:08) and 66th (65:08) minutes, respectively, off of defensive deflections from shot attempts by Syracuse within the box.
Akron finished the contest owning a 20-10 advantage in shots, although the Orange posted a 6-5 margin in shots on frame.
David Egbo registered a game-high seven shots for the Zips, while Diogo Pacheco added five shots. Hagman and Tajon Buchanan led Syracuse with a team-best three shots apiece, while Buchanan also collected a pair of assists.
Colin Biros prevented the Zips from being shutout in the affair connecting on his first career goal at the 84:24 mark off an assist from Pacheco.
Egbo nearly netted goal in the eighth minute (8:00) as only a clearance off the goal line by John-Austin Ricks for a team save prevented Akron from assuming a 1-0 lead.
Pacheco narrowly missed finding the corner of the net at the 21:44 mark as his strike off a ball played over the defense by Egbo was blocked resulting in a corner kick.
Hagman scored what proved to be the game-winning tally for Syracuse in the 29th minute (28:27) redirecting a shot by Buchanan that was deflected for a save by Ben Lundt.
Marco Micaletto nearly netted the equalizer at the 43:49 mark as his strike in the box was denied for a save by Hendrik Hilpert. Micaletto's second-chance opportunity on the deflection went wide to send the Zips into the intermission trailing 1-0.
The Orange posted a 3-2 margin in shots on goal in the opening stanza despite being outshot overall by Akron, 11-4.
Hagman scored nearly an identical goal as his first of the evening in the 52nd minute (51:08) off another assist by Buchanan to push Syracuse's lead to 2-0.
Hagman capped his hat trick at the 65:08 mark delivering a ball into the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Severin Soerlie to make it 3-0 in favor of the Orange.
Lundt and Hilpert each finished the evening with three saves apiece.
THE COACHES
Syracuse: Ian McIntyre is in his eighth season as head coach of the Rider program, owning a 88-62-25 (.574) record. Overall in 19 years as a head coach he maintains a 193-126-57 (.589) mark.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 90-29-13 mark (.731), including 137-49-21 (.713) 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 90-29-13 (.731) 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 200-42-29 (.792), 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.
ZIPS OPEN NCAA TOURNAMENT WITH 3-1 VICTORY PAST RIDER
The 14th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team registered three second-half goals, including a pair from David Egbo, to garner a 3-1 victory over Rider in the Opening Round of the NCAA Tournament on a snow-swept evening at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Nov. 15.
Akron broke open a tightly-contested opening half outshooting the Broncs, 16-6, over the final 45 minutes of regulation, en route to posting a 22-12 advantage in shots, including 6-5 on goal.
Abdi Mohamed proved to be dual-threat for the Zips at both ends of the field as he recorded a game-high five shots. Egbo and Sam Tojaga added four and three shots, respectively, for Akron. Pablo DeCastro, who accounted for Rider's lone goal, led the Broncs with a team-high five shots.
Ben Lundt helped the Zips earn the victory making four saves, while Garrett Potter made three stops for Rider.
The Broncs registered five of the first six shots on the evening, including strikes by DeCastro and Arthur Herpreck at the 10:25 and 14:13 marks, respectively, that were thwarted by saves from Lundt.
Akron's best scoring chance in the opening stanza came in the 45th minute (44:16) when Diogo Pacheco unleashed a laser in the box, off a pass from Mohamed, that Potter denied with a save.
The two sides entered the intermission locked in a scoreless contest with each side posting six first-half shots.
Tojaga nearly got the Zips on the board at the 48:52 mark as his strike in the box narrowly missed bending into the corner of the net for a goal.
Just over a minute later in the 51st minute (50:16), Egbo intercepted the ball from the Rider defender and found his way to the top of the box where he connected on his team-leading 11th goal of the season to give Akron a 1-0 lead.
Colin Biros, who was stout for the Zips in the midfield on the night, came up just wide on his shot at the 58:17 mark.
Lundt delivered a save on a shot by Elliott Otmani in the 62nd minute (61:50), while Potter stopped Mohamed's shot on goal at the 62:39 mark.
The Broncs netter the equalizer in the 78th minute (77:07) when DeCastro headed home his ninth goal of the season off a strong cross into the box from Emmanuel Kouma.
The lead was short-lived as Egbo scored what proved the be the game-winning tally at the 83:13 mark off an assist from Morgan Hackworth. The goal was Egbo's 12th of the season.
Rider was whistled for a foul in the box on a tackle in the box on Ezana Kahsay in the 88th minute (87:15). Stepping to the line and connecting on the penalty kick for his sixth goal of the year was Marcel Zajac.
AKRON EARNS MAC TOURNAMENT TITLE WITH 3-0 WIN OVER WMU
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). Colin Biros 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 six goals and a team-high seven assists on the strength of 29 shots, including 16 on goal. He has scored a point in seven of Akron's last eight 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 11 NCAA Tournament openers, including a 10-0-0 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• The Zips have won five consecutive games for the first time this season.
• During Akron's current winning streak, the Zips have outshot their opponents, 88-54, including 33-18 on goal. Akron has also posted a 55-18 advantage in corner kicks.
• 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.
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in seven of Akron's last eight 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).
• 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 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.
• Marcel Zajac, Skye Harter, Ezana Kahsay, Marco Micaletto, Morgan Hackworth, David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed have contributed seven, six, four, four, four, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' total of 42.
• As a team, the Zips are rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.42), 11th in assists per game (2.21) and in total assists (42), 15th in points per contest (6.11), 17th in total points (116), 18th in total goals (37), 19th in scoring offense (1.95), 44th in shots per game (13.74), 46th in winning percentage (.632) and 49th in shutout percentage (.368).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked fourth in the NCAA in game-winning goals (6), 15th in total goals (12), 17th in goals per contest (0.67), 23rd in points per game (1.50) and 24th in total points (27).
• 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 (13), points (34) and shots on goal (37). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (89), games played (75), while David Egbo leads the team in goals (13) and game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (16). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 59 games.
• In Akron's 11 wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 31-7. Akron has outshot the opposition 167-104, including 70-34 on goal. Fifteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering 10 goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns five shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 90-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 90 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 (5,883.29), 23rd in goals against average (.948) and 33rd in saves (171). 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 third-round showdown against the winner of the match between top-seeded Wake Forest and Colgate next weekend.
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/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Cleveland State - 9/1/2025
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