The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, November 30
Stanford, Calif.
9:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Stanford
Zips to Battle Stanford in Elite Eight
November 29 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (13-6-2) at Stanford (12-3-5)
Friday, Nov. 30
Cagan Stadium (2,000)
Stanford, Calif. • 9 p.m. ET
Series History: Akron leads 2-1-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network
Television: Pac-12 Network
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The fourth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its second-ever NCAA Championship on Friday, Nov. 30, as the Zips travel to Stanford, Calif. to face second-rated Stanford in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The 9 p.m. ET contest will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.
ZIPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Akron maintains a 31-26-9 mark in 66 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 10-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 22-6-9 ledger.
Senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) is Akron's active leader in NCAA Tournament games played (10), while senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) has started a team-high nine games. Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) enters action versus Stanford as the team's NCAA Tournament career scoring leader with four goals and an assist, while sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) and seniors Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.) and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) have contributed two, one and one goal, respectively.
Egbo has recorded a team-best 13 shots, including seven on goal. Zajac, Kahsay, Mohamed, redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), freshman Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Hackworth, freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio), senior Marco Micaletto (Rome, Italy) and redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) have registered 12 (4), 10 (2), 8 (4), 8 (2), 5 (2), 4 (2), 4 (0), 2 (0), 1 (1) and 1 (1) shot (shots on goal), respectively.
Lundt registered a shutout in his first-ever NCAA Tournament game versus Villanova in 2016 and has started nine tournament contests for Akron allowing seven goals, while pulling in 28 saves en route to posting four shutouts.
AKRON VERSUS THE PAC-12 CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Pac-12 Conference for the second time this season, 17th time in program history and for the fifth time in NCAA Tournament play.
• Earlier this season, Akron suffered a 2-0 setback at then No. 9 Washington on Sept. 9.
• In all, Akron is 6-8-2 (.438) versus teams from the Pac-12 Conference.
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 and Abdi Mohamed.
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 39 matches, including 18 starts and owns four goals, while adding nine assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 77 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered 10 goals, while adding nine assists on the strength of a team-high 93 shots, including 30 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 61 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 (0.920), shutouts (27) and wins (39).
Mohamed has started 20 of the Zips' 21 contests this season owning a goal and four assists, while adding 24 shots, including 12 on frame and has helped Akron's defense to record eight shutouts.
Micaletto joined the Zips' squad this fall after playing his first three seasons at Young Harris College and has started eight of 21 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking fourth on the team in shots (25) and sixth shots on goal (9), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING STANFORD
Stanford enters play on Friday, Nov. 30, versus the Zips having won three of its last five matches, following advancing on penalty kicks, 4-2, in a 0-0 double-overtime draw at St. Mary's (Calif.) in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 25. Redshirt freshman Zach Ryan directs the offensive exploits for the Cardinal owning team-high marks in goals (9), points (21) and game-winners (4), while senior Amir Bashti paces the squad in assists (6), shots (61) and shots on goal (28). Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Andrew Thomas has recorded 78 saves and posted 12 shutouts, while maintaining a 0.51 goals against average this season.
As a team, Stanford is ranked first in the NCAA in save percentage (.882), fifth in shutout percentage (.600), sixth in goals against average (.514), 13th in total assists (41), 14th in winning percentage (.725), 15th in assists per game (2.05), 33rd in points per contest (5.15), 44th in shots per outing (13.70) and in total goals (31). Individually, Thomas leads the country in save percentage (.876) and is fifth in shutouts (11) and 18th in total saves (78).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Stanford are squaring off for the fifth time in program history with the Zips leading the all-time series, 2-1-1. In the last encounter between the two schools, the Cardinal registered a 2-0 victory over Akron in the semifinals of the College Cup in Chester, Pa., on Dec. 8, 2017. In 2015, Akron and Stanford battled to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Dec. 11, 2015, in the semifinals of the College Cup in Kansas City, Kan., before the Cardinal edged the Zips in 10 rounds of penalty kicks, 8-7. In the previous two tilts, Akron posted a 4-3 overtime decision at Stanford on Oct. 2, 1994, while besting the Cardinal, 2-0, at home in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 29, 2009.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (DEC. 8, 2017 - CHESTER, PA.)
A goal in each half proved too much for the second-ranked and fifth-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team to overcome as ninth-seeded and top-rated Stanford registered a 2-0 triumph past the Zips in the College Cup semifinals on Dec. 8, 2017, at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Cardinal bettered Akron in shots in the affair, 13-7, including posting a 6-5 margin in shots in goal. It marked only the third time on the campaign in which the Zips, who surrendered only 14 goals all season, were bested in shots in a contest.
Joao Moutinho, a first-team United Soccer Coaches All-America honoree, directed Akron's offensive production recording a team-best two shots, while adding one shot apiece was Niko De Vera, Skye Harter, Marcel Zajac, Morgan Hackworth and David Egbo. Foster Langsdorf and Corey Baird led Stanford with a game-high three shots apiece.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt pulled in four saves for the Zips, while Nico Corti made five saves en route to earning the clean sheet for Stanford, who has not surrendered a goal in NCAA Tournament since 2015.
Less than a minute into the affair, Jared Gilbey got off a shot for the Cardinal that was pulled in for a save by Lundt.
Harter recorded the first shot for the Zips on the evening playing a ball from distance on net in the eighth minute (7:38), one which Corti denied with a save.
Just over a minute later, De Vera played a ball down the sideline and into the box to Zajac, whose header at the 8:57 mark went just wide of frame.
The Cardinal slowly began to pepper the Zips' attack with five consecutive shots, including save by Lundt at the 18:30 mark off a shot by Baird.
Unable to defensively clear a ball in the box in the 26th minute (25:30) enabled the Cardinal to assume a 1-0 lead when Langsdorf headed home a ball from eight yards out off an assist from Baird.
The Zips didn't get off a shot the remainder of the half and were outshot in the opening stanza, 9-2, including 4-1 on goal.
Lundt made a sliding save of a strike by Baird in the 52nd minute (51:58) from 10 yards out to prevent a Stanford scoring chance.
Akron's best scoring opportunity came in the 61st minute with back-to-backs shots from Egbo and De Vera at the 60:26 and 60:31 marks, respectively.
Egbo got a step on the defender in the box and uncorked a shot that Corti made a diving save off of before De Vera knocked back the deflection, which was smothered for a stop for a save.
Sam Werner extended the Cardinal' lead to 2-0 in the 79th minute (78:52) striking a ball from the corner of the six-yard box which hit the cross bar and deflected down into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Moutinho got some pressure on the Stanford defense over the final three minutes of play placing shots on frame at the 87:11 and 88:55 marks, respectively, both of which were thwarted by saves from Corti.
THE COACHES
Stanford: Jeremy Gunn is in his seventh season as head coach of the Stanford program, owning a 96-28-23 (.731) record and maintains an overall ledger of 283-89-54 (.728) in 20 years as a head coach.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 92-29-13 mark (.735), including 139-49-21 (.715) 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 92-29-13 (.735) 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 202-42-29 (.793), 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.
The Zips became one of just four Division I programs in 2018 to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the past 12 seasons.
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 TAKE DOWN TOP-SEEDED WAKE FOREST, 1-0
The University of Akron men's soccer team registered a dramatic 1-0 victory over top-seeded Wake Forest in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 25, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Zips garnered their seventh consecutive triumph to advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight season and seventh time in program history.
Marcel Zajac recorded the game-winning goal in the 46th minute (45:51) off assists from David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed. The tally marked the ninth time in the last 10 games in which Zajac has recorded a point for the Zips.
Akron withstood a talented Wake Forest attack which posted a 13-6 advantage in shots on the evening, including a 5-2 edge on goal.
Sparked by the defensive efforts of goalkeeper Ben Lundt along with Mohamed and freshmen Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) the Zips held the Demon Deacons, who came into the match owning the second-best scoring offense in the NCAA this season, without a goal for only the second time on the campaign.
Lundt was a rock for Akron in net making five saves en route to earning his seventh clean sheet of the year.
Egbo and Ezana Kahsay led the Zips with a team-high two shots each. Omir Fernandez led Wake Forest with a game-high three shots.
The Demon Deacons netted a furious second-half rally and nearly netted the equalizer with a minute to play as a goal from Aristotle Zarris was waved off due to an offsides call.
The contest proved to be a defensive battle from the start as neither side recorded a shot in the affair until Machop Choi posted a shot in the 16th minute (15:50), one that was denied by a save from Lundt.
Lundt again came up aces for the Zips making a diving save off of Choi's shot at the 25:18 mark.
Kahsay got off back-to-back shots in the 33rd minute (32:40/32:42) for Akron initial strikes of the game, both of which were blocked.
Akron's best scoring chance in the opening half came off a sequence commenced with a corner kick by Colin Biros in the 34th minute as Egbo headed a ball inside the six-yard box at the 33:14 mark that was saved by Wake Forest goalkeeper Andreu Cases Mundet. The deflection off the save went to Sam Tojaga, whose header narrowly missed finding the corner of the net at the 33:27 mark.
The Demon Deacons nearly found the back of the net if not for a high-arching lunge for a save by Lundt off a strike from Isaiah Parente in the 42nd minute (41:11).
Each side recorded four shots in the initial stanza, with Wake Forest owning a 3-1 margin in shots on goal.
The Zips scored what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 45:51 mark when Zajac delivered his eighth goal of the season. A pair of strong passes in the box from Egbo and Mohamed allowed Zajac to find the back of the net with a sliding shot inside the six-yard box.
Aristotle Zarris narrowly missed netting the equalizer for the Demon Deacons in the 47th minute (46:41) as a free kick from Parente along the end line was placed into the box for the attempt which went wide.
A strike from 12 yards out in the middle of the box off the foot of Fernandez at the 51:04 mark again went wide to thwart the Wake Forest scoring chance.
Lundt followed with a stop off a shot from Fernandez in the 58th minute (57:15) to maintain Akron's 1-0 lead.
A 1v1 scoring chance from Justin McMaster was thwarted by a diving save by Lundt inside the six-yard box at the 69:19 mark.
The Zips had a 1v1 scoring opportunity of their own as Egbo's shot from 15 yards out off a pass from Morgan Hackworth went high over the 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 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 was honored for his efforts leading the Zips to a 1-0 victory over top-seeded and second-rated Wake Forest in the third round of the NCAA Tournament as College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com named him to their National Men's Soccer Teams of the Week on Nov. 27.
Zajac played a key role in leading the Zips their triumph at Wake Forest recording the game-winning goal in the 46th minute (45:51) off assists from David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed.
The tally marked the ninth time in the last 10 games in which Zajac has recorded a point for Akron and was his eighth goal of the year.
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ZIPS TIDBITS
• The Zips will be playing in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons and seventh time overall when it battles Stanford on Friday, Nov. 30.
• For first time in the last 20 seasons, the Zips have advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament after having to play an opening-round match. Akron is one of three unseeded teams in the tournament this season to do so, joining James Madison and Michigan State.
• In three NCAA Tournament games, Akron is posting 16.0 shots per contest, while holding its opponents to 14.3 shots per outing. Four different Zips have recorded goals. Akron has outshot its opposition in the second half, 27-21, while being bettered in first-half shots, 22-21.
• The Zips have won seven consecutive games for the first time this season. Akron's winning streak is currently the second-best in the NCAA.
• During Akron's current winning streak, the Zips have outshot their opponents, 114-85, including 46-30 on goal. Akron has also posted a 61-28 advantage in corner kicks.
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in seven consecutive games and in nine of Akron's last 10 matches overall.
• Akron owns a Mid-American Conference-best six victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the latest NCAA RPI report. The Zips have bettered No. 1 Wake Forest (1-0 on Nov. 25), No. 19 Syracuse (3-1 on Nov. 18), 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 three victories over top-10 opponents this season bettering No. 2 Wake Forest, No. 8 Michigan State and No. 8 Creighton by scores of 1-0, 2-1 and 1-0, respectively, on Nov. 25, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.
• The Zips have registered five consecutive victories over ranked opponents bettering Creighton, Michigan State, West Virginia, Syracuse and Wake Forest after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 8-1-1 mark in their last 10 matches away from home on the strength of four, four and three goals, respectively, from David Egbo, Marcel Zajac and Diogo Pacheco. Akron has averaged 14.0 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 10.4 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 76-35 margin in corner kicks and a 140-104 edge in total shots.
• In 16 games since returning from injury, Marcel Zajac has provided the Zips with a huge lift offensively contributing eight goals and team-high seven assists, while adding 34 shots, including 18 on goal.
• As a team, the Zips are rated fourth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.00), seventh in total assists (47), eighth in assists per game (2.24) and in total points (129), 12th in total goals (41), 14th in points per contest (6.14), 17th in scoring offense (1.95), 31st in winning percentage (.650), 43rd in shutout percentage (0.38) and 45th in shots per game (13.67).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked fifth in the NCAA in game-winning goals (6), 15th in total goals (12), 17th in total points (29), 25th in points per game (1.45) and 26th in goals per contest (0.60).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 victory versus Wake Forest on Nov. 25 was the 27th of his Akron career to move him into third place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Marcel Zajac is Akron's active career leaders in goals (15), points (38) and shots on goal (39). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (93), games played (77), while David Egbo leads the team in game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (16). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 61 games.
• In Akron's 13 wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 35-8. Akron has outshot the opposition 193-135, including 83-46 on goal. Fifteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering 10 goals and four assists. Ben Lundt owns six shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 92-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 92 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
• Akron is averaging 12.1 shots per contest in nine games against ranked opponents this season. David Egbo paces the squad with a trio of goals on the strength of a team-high 19 shots.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating fifth in career shutouts (28), sixth in minutes played (6,063.29), 23rd in goals against average (.935) and 29th in saves (182). He is also 17th across all divisions in career shutouts. Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 32nd in games played (78), 38th in career points (60), 40th in assists (16) and 44th in goals (22), while Ezana Kahsay is rated 42nd in games played (77) and Abdi Mohamed 29th in games played (79) and 40th in career assists (16).
UP NEXT
A victory by the Zips will send Akron into the College Cup for the sixth time in program history for a showdown against the winner of the match between Michigan State and James Madison next weekend.
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MATCH NO. 22 - AKRON AT STANFORD GAME NOTES (PDF) (11/30)Â
Akron (13-6-2) at Stanford (12-3-5)
Friday, Nov. 30
Cagan Stadium (2,000)
Stanford, Calif. • 9 p.m. ET
Series History: Akron leads 2-1-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: Pac-12 Network
Television: Pac-12 Network
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The fourth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its second-ever NCAA Championship on Friday, Nov. 30, as the Zips travel to Stanford, Calif. to face second-rated Stanford in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The 9 p.m. ET contest will be broadcast on the Pac-12 Network.
ZIPS' NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Akron maintains a 31-26-9 mark in 66 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 10-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 22-6-9 ledger.
Senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) is Akron's active leader in NCAA Tournament games played (10), while senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) has started a team-high nine games. Junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) enters action versus Stanford as the team's NCAA Tournament career scoring leader with four goals and an assist, while sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) and seniors Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.) and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) have contributed two, one and one goal, respectively.
Egbo has recorded a team-best 13 shots, including seven on goal. Zajac, Kahsay, Mohamed, redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), freshman Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Hackworth, freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio), senior Marco Micaletto (Rome, Italy) and redshirt sophomore Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) have registered 12 (4), 10 (2), 8 (4), 8 (2), 5 (2), 4 (2), 4 (0), 2 (0), 1 (1) and 1 (1) shot (shots on goal), respectively.
Lundt registered a shutout in his first-ever NCAA Tournament game versus Villanova in 2016 and has started nine tournament contests for Akron allowing seven goals, while pulling in 28 saves en route to posting four shutouts.
AKRON VERSUS THE PAC-12 CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Pac-12 Conference for the second time this season, 17th time in program history and for the fifth time in NCAA Tournament play.
• Earlier this season, Akron suffered a 2-0 setback at then No. 9 Washington on Sept. 9.
• In all, Akron is 6-8-2 (.438) versus teams from the Pac-12 Conference.
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 and Abdi Mohamed.
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 39 matches, including 18 starts and owns four goals, while adding nine assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 77 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered 10 goals, while adding nine assists on the strength of a team-high 93 shots, including 30 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 61 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 (0.920), shutouts (27) and wins (39).
Mohamed has started 20 of the Zips' 21 contests this season owning a goal and four assists, while adding 24 shots, including 12 on frame and has helped Akron's defense to record eight shutouts.
Micaletto joined the Zips' squad this fall after playing his first three seasons at Young Harris College and has started eight of 21 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking fourth on the team in shots (25) and sixth shots on goal (9), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING STANFORD
Stanford enters play on Friday, Nov. 30, versus the Zips having won three of its last five matches, following advancing on penalty kicks, 4-2, in a 0-0 double-overtime draw at St. Mary's (Calif.) in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 25. Redshirt freshman Zach Ryan directs the offensive exploits for the Cardinal owning team-high marks in goals (9), points (21) and game-winners (4), while senior Amir Bashti paces the squad in assists (6), shots (61) and shots on goal (28). Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Andrew Thomas has recorded 78 saves and posted 12 shutouts, while maintaining a 0.51 goals against average this season.
As a team, Stanford is ranked first in the NCAA in save percentage (.882), fifth in shutout percentage (.600), sixth in goals against average (.514), 13th in total assists (41), 14th in winning percentage (.725), 15th in assists per game (2.05), 33rd in points per contest (5.15), 44th in shots per outing (13.70) and in total goals (31). Individually, Thomas leads the country in save percentage (.876) and is fifth in shutouts (11) and 18th in total saves (78).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Stanford are squaring off for the fifth time in program history with the Zips leading the all-time series, 2-1-1. In the last encounter between the two schools, the Cardinal registered a 2-0 victory over Akron in the semifinals of the College Cup in Chester, Pa., on Dec. 8, 2017. In 2015, Akron and Stanford battled to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Dec. 11, 2015, in the semifinals of the College Cup in Kansas City, Kan., before the Cardinal edged the Zips in 10 rounds of penalty kicks, 8-7. In the previous two tilts, Akron posted a 4-3 overtime decision at Stanford on Oct. 2, 1994, while besting the Cardinal, 2-0, at home in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 29, 2009.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (DEC. 8, 2017 - CHESTER, PA.)
A goal in each half proved too much for the second-ranked and fifth-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team to overcome as ninth-seeded and top-rated Stanford registered a 2-0 triumph past the Zips in the College Cup semifinals on Dec. 8, 2017, at Talen Energy Stadium.
The Cardinal bettered Akron in shots in the affair, 13-7, including posting a 6-5 margin in shots in goal. It marked only the third time on the campaign in which the Zips, who surrendered only 14 goals all season, were bested in shots in a contest.
Joao Moutinho, a first-team United Soccer Coaches All-America honoree, directed Akron's offensive production recording a team-best two shots, while adding one shot apiece was Niko De Vera, Skye Harter, Marcel Zajac, Morgan Hackworth and David Egbo. Foster Langsdorf and Corey Baird led Stanford with a game-high three shots apiece.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt pulled in four saves for the Zips, while Nico Corti made five saves en route to earning the clean sheet for Stanford, who has not surrendered a goal in NCAA Tournament since 2015.
Less than a minute into the affair, Jared Gilbey got off a shot for the Cardinal that was pulled in for a save by Lundt.
Harter recorded the first shot for the Zips on the evening playing a ball from distance on net in the eighth minute (7:38), one which Corti denied with a save.
Just over a minute later, De Vera played a ball down the sideline and into the box to Zajac, whose header at the 8:57 mark went just wide of frame.
The Cardinal slowly began to pepper the Zips' attack with five consecutive shots, including save by Lundt at the 18:30 mark off a shot by Baird.
Unable to defensively clear a ball in the box in the 26th minute (25:30) enabled the Cardinal to assume a 1-0 lead when Langsdorf headed home a ball from eight yards out off an assist from Baird.
The Zips didn't get off a shot the remainder of the half and were outshot in the opening stanza, 9-2, including 4-1 on goal.
Lundt made a sliding save of a strike by Baird in the 52nd minute (51:58) from 10 yards out to prevent a Stanford scoring chance.
Akron's best scoring opportunity came in the 61st minute with back-to-backs shots from Egbo and De Vera at the 60:26 and 60:31 marks, respectively.
Egbo got a step on the defender in the box and uncorked a shot that Corti made a diving save off of before De Vera knocked back the deflection, which was smothered for a stop for a save.
Sam Werner extended the Cardinal' lead to 2-0 in the 79th minute (78:52) striking a ball from the corner of the six-yard box which hit the cross bar and deflected down into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.
Moutinho got some pressure on the Stanford defense over the final three minutes of play placing shots on frame at the 87:11 and 88:55 marks, respectively, both of which were thwarted by saves from Corti.
THE COACHES
Stanford: Jeremy Gunn is in his seventh season as head coach of the Stanford program, owning a 96-28-23 (.731) record and maintains an overall ledger of 283-89-54 (.728) in 20 years as a head coach.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 92-29-13 mark (.735), including 139-49-21 (.715) 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 92-29-13 (.735) 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 202-42-29 (.793), 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.
The Zips became one of just four Division I programs in 2018 to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the past 12 seasons.
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 TAKE DOWN TOP-SEEDED WAKE FOREST, 1-0
The University of Akron men's soccer team registered a dramatic 1-0 victory over top-seeded Wake Forest in the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 25, in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Zips garnered their seventh consecutive triumph to advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight season and seventh time in program history.
Marcel Zajac recorded the game-winning goal in the 46th minute (45:51) off assists from David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed. The tally marked the ninth time in the last 10 games in which Zajac has recorded a point for the Zips.
Akron withstood a talented Wake Forest attack which posted a 13-6 advantage in shots on the evening, including a 5-2 edge on goal.
Sparked by the defensive efforts of goalkeeper Ben Lundt along with Mohamed and freshmen Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) the Zips held the Demon Deacons, who came into the match owning the second-best scoring offense in the NCAA this season, without a goal for only the second time on the campaign.
Lundt was a rock for Akron in net making five saves en route to earning his seventh clean sheet of the year.
Egbo and Ezana Kahsay led the Zips with a team-high two shots each. Omir Fernandez led Wake Forest with a game-high three shots.
The Demon Deacons netted a furious second-half rally and nearly netted the equalizer with a minute to play as a goal from Aristotle Zarris was waved off due to an offsides call.
The contest proved to be a defensive battle from the start as neither side recorded a shot in the affair until Machop Choi posted a shot in the 16th minute (15:50), one that was denied by a save from Lundt.
Lundt again came up aces for the Zips making a diving save off of Choi's shot at the 25:18 mark.
Kahsay got off back-to-back shots in the 33rd minute (32:40/32:42) for Akron initial strikes of the game, both of which were blocked.
Akron's best scoring chance in the opening half came off a sequence commenced with a corner kick by Colin Biros in the 34th minute as Egbo headed a ball inside the six-yard box at the 33:14 mark that was saved by Wake Forest goalkeeper Andreu Cases Mundet. The deflection off the save went to Sam Tojaga, whose header narrowly missed finding the corner of the net at the 33:27 mark.
The Demon Deacons nearly found the back of the net if not for a high-arching lunge for a save by Lundt off a strike from Isaiah Parente in the 42nd minute (41:11).
Each side recorded four shots in the initial stanza, with Wake Forest owning a 3-1 margin in shots on goal.
The Zips scored what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 45:51 mark when Zajac delivered his eighth goal of the season. A pair of strong passes in the box from Egbo and Mohamed allowed Zajac to find the back of the net with a sliding shot inside the six-yard box.
Aristotle Zarris narrowly missed netting the equalizer for the Demon Deacons in the 47th minute (46:41) as a free kick from Parente along the end line was placed into the box for the attempt which went wide.
A strike from 12 yards out in the middle of the box off the foot of Fernandez at the 51:04 mark again went wide to thwart the Wake Forest scoring chance.
Lundt followed with a stop off a shot from Fernandez in the 58th minute (57:15) to maintain Akron's 1-0 lead.
A 1v1 scoring chance from Justin McMaster was thwarted by a diving save by Lundt inside the six-yard box at the 69:19 mark.
The Zips had a 1v1 scoring opportunity of their own as Egbo's shot from 15 yards out off a pass from Morgan Hackworth went high over the 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 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 was honored for his efforts leading the Zips to a 1-0 victory over top-seeded and second-rated Wake Forest in the third round of the NCAA Tournament as College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com named him to their National Men's Soccer Teams of the Week on Nov. 27.
Zajac played a key role in leading the Zips their triumph at Wake Forest recording the game-winning goal in the 46th minute (45:51) off assists from David Egbo and Abdi Mohamed.
The tally marked the ninth time in the last 10 games in which Zajac has recorded a point for Akron and was his eighth goal of the year.
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ZIPS TIDBITS
• The Zips will be playing in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons and seventh time overall when it battles Stanford on Friday, Nov. 30.
• For first time in the last 20 seasons, the Zips have advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament after having to play an opening-round match. Akron is one of three unseeded teams in the tournament this season to do so, joining James Madison and Michigan State.
• In three NCAA Tournament games, Akron is posting 16.0 shots per contest, while holding its opponents to 14.3 shots per outing. Four different Zips have recorded goals. Akron has outshot its opposition in the second half, 27-21, while being bettered in first-half shots, 22-21.
• The Zips have won seven consecutive games for the first time this season. Akron's winning streak is currently the second-best in the NCAA.
• During Akron's current winning streak, the Zips have outshot their opponents, 114-85, including 46-30 on goal. Akron has also posted a 61-28 advantage in corner kicks.
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in seven consecutive games and in nine of Akron's last 10 matches overall.
• Akron owns a Mid-American Conference-best six victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the latest NCAA RPI report. The Zips have bettered No. 1 Wake Forest (1-0 on Nov. 25), No. 19 Syracuse (3-1 on Nov. 18), 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 three victories over top-10 opponents this season bettering No. 2 Wake Forest, No. 8 Michigan State and No. 8 Creighton by scores of 1-0, 2-1 and 1-0, respectively, on Nov. 25, Oct. 9 and Oct. 16.
• The Zips have registered five consecutive victories over ranked opponents bettering Creighton, Michigan State, West Virginia, Syracuse and Wake Forest after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 8-1-1 mark in their last 10 matches away from home on the strength of four, four and three goals, respectively, from David Egbo, Marcel Zajac and Diogo Pacheco. Akron has averaged 14.0 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 10.4 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 76-35 margin in corner kicks and a 140-104 edge in total shots.
• In 16 games since returning from injury, Marcel Zajac has provided the Zips with a huge lift offensively contributing eight goals and team-high seven assists, while adding 34 shots, including 18 on goal.
• As a team, the Zips are rated fourth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.00), seventh in total assists (47), eighth in assists per game (2.24) and in total points (129), 12th in total goals (41), 14th in points per contest (6.14), 17th in scoring offense (1.95), 31st in winning percentage (.650), 43rd in shutout percentage (0.38) and 45th in shots per game (13.67).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked fifth in the NCAA in game-winning goals (6), 15th in total goals (12), 17th in total points (29), 25th in points per game (1.45) and 26th in goals per contest (0.60).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 victory versus Wake Forest on Nov. 25 was the 27th of his Akron career to move him into third place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Marcel Zajac is Akron's active career leaders in goals (15), points (38) and shots on goal (39). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (93), games played (77), while David Egbo leads the team in game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (16). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 61 games.
• In Akron's 13 wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 35-8. Akron has outshot the opposition 193-135, including 83-46 on goal. Fifteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering 10 goals and four assists. Ben Lundt owns six shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 92-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 92 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
• Akron is averaging 12.1 shots per contest in nine games against ranked opponents this season. David Egbo paces the squad with a trio of goals on the strength of a team-high 19 shots.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating fifth in career shutouts (28), sixth in minutes played (6,063.29), 23rd in goals against average (.935) and 29th in saves (182). He is also 17th across all divisions in career shutouts. Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 32nd in games played (78), 38th in career points (60), 40th in assists (16) and 44th in goals (22), while Ezana Kahsay is rated 42nd in games played (77) and Abdi Mohamed 29th in games played (79) and 40th in career assists (16).
UP NEXT
A victory by the Zips will send Akron into the College Cup for the sixth time in program history for a showdown against the winner of the match between Michigan State and James Madison next weekend.
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