The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, November 9
Morgantown, W.Va.
5:30 PM
University of Akron
at
West Virginia
Zips Battle No. 12 West Virginia in MAC Tournament Semifinals
November 08 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (8-6-2) at No. 12 West Virginia (13-5-0)
Friday, Nov. 9
Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium (1,650)
Morgantown, W.Va. • 5:30 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 15-4-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3
Television: ESPN3
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The fourth-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its 15th Mid-American Conference Championship title battling top-seeded and 12th-ranked West Virginia on Friday, Nov. 9, in the semifinals of the MAC Championship. Game time in Morgantown W.Va. is set for 5:30 p.m. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN app.
ZIPS' MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Akron maintains an 34-8-5 mark in 47 matches in Mid-American Conference Championship history, including a 11-0 mark under head coach Jared Embick. The Zips are 23-1-3 in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field in tournament play. Akron is playing in the semifinal round for the 18th consecutive year and 23rd time overall. The Zips own a 16-2-4 record in those contests.
AKRON MAC CHAMPIONSHIP TIDBITS
Senior Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.), redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) and junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) are Akron's active leaders in MAC Tournament games started (2). Zajac owns a team-high two goals in career tournament play, while Kahsay and Zajac enter action versus West Virginia as the team's MAC Tournament career scoring leaders having recorded four points each. Kahsay also paces the squad in assists with two.
Kahsay and Zajac have posted a team-best 11 shots, including four and five on goal, respectively. Kahsay, Zajac, sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria), freshman Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Hackworth, freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) and Harter have recorded 11 (4), 11 (5), 5 (3), 3 (0), 2(1), 2 (1) and 2 (1) shots (shots on goal), respectively. Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) owns five starts and eight saves in MAC Tournament play.
AKRON-WEST VIRGINIA MAC TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Zips are meeting West Virginia for the third time in MAC Championship play. In 2015, Akron registered a 3-2 victory past the Mountaineers in the semifinal round at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. The Zips also earned a 3-0 home win over West Virginia in the semifinal round of the 2013 Tournament.
SIX SENIORS CONCLUDE HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 6, 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 (Westerville, Ohio).
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 34 matches, including 13 starts and owns three goals, while adding eight assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 72 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered nine goals, while adding eight assists on the strength of a team-high 84 shots, including 26 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 56 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 (0.947), shutouts (25) and wins (34).
Mohamed has started 15 of the Zips' 16 contests this season owning an assist, while adding 12 shots, including four on frame and has helped Akron's defense to record six shutouts.
Micaletto joined the Zips' squad this fall after playing his first three seasons at Young Harris College and has started eight of 16 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking third on the team in shots (20), fifth shots on goal (8) and sixth assists (2), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia enters play against Akron on Friday, Nov. 9, having won its last five matches and eight of nine overall following a 4-3 overtime triumph at Northern Illinois on Nov. 3. Senior Joey Piatczyc directs the offensive exploits for the Mountaineers owning team-high marks in goals (7), assists (8), points (22) and game-winners (5), while junior Andres Muriel Albino paces the squad in shots (41) and shots on goal (24). Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Tekesky has recorded 68 saves and posted five shutouts, while maintaining a 1.17 goals against average this season.
As a team, West Virginia is ranked third in the NCAA in total assists (44), fifth in assists per game (2.44), 11th in total points (118) and points per contest (6.56), 13th in total goals (37), 16th in scoring offense (2.06), 19th in winning percentage (.722) and 34th in shots on goal (6.22). Individually, Tekesky is 28th in minutes played (1,621.37) and 30th in total saves (68), while Piatczyc is 10th in game-winning goals (5), 12th in assists per game (0.53), 21st in total assists (8) and 35th in points per contest (1.47).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and West Virginia are meeting for the 21st time in program history with the Zips owning a 15-4-1 series advantage. Earlier this season, the Mountaineers registered a 2-1 overtime victory over Akron on Oct. 13 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 13, 2018 - AKRON, OHIO)
Akron suffered a 2-1 overtime setback to West Virginia in Mid-American Conference play on Oct. 13 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field as Joey Piatczyc's golden goal at the 92:27 mark lifted the Mountaineers to a come-from-behind triumph.
The Zips appeared destined to secure a 1-0 victory over West Virginia as Marcel Zajac's tally in the 57th minute (56:22) maintained Akron's advantage until Piatczyc connected on a goal with only 13 seconds remaining in regulation to send the affair into overtime.
The Zips were outshot on the evening, 15-9, with Zajac pacing Akron's efforts with a game-high three shots, including two on goal. The Mountaineers were led by three shots apiece from Piatczyc, Kevin Morris and Logan Lucas.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made five saves in net for the Zips, while Steven Tekesky collected three stops for West Virginia.
The contest started as a defensive back-and-forth affair in the opening stanza as Akron registered a 6-4 margin in shots, including 3-1 on frame.
The Zips best scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 33rd minute as Zajac struck a ball just beyond the 18-yard box that was blocked before deflecting to the hands of Tekesky. Freshman Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) struck a shot off the rebound that was denied by a save from Tekesky.
Both sides posted a shot in the opening minutes of the second half before Zajac scored his second goal of the season at the 56:22 mark to give the Zips a 1-0 lead. A pair of strong passes from Ezana Kahsay and Skye Harter for assists set up Zajac on the scoring play.
The Mountaineers nearly netted the equalizer in the 78th minute as Ryan Kellogg struck a ball at the 77:36 that was denied for a team save by Ritaccio before the follow-up strike from Albert Andres-Liop was thwarted by a save from Lundt.
Akron appeared to have a quality chance on net in the 92nd minute as David Egbo delivered a ball into the box to a charging Zajac, who had a 1v1 with Tekesky. Unfortunately for the Zips, they were called for an offsides call on the play.
THE COACHES
West Virginia: Marlon LeBlanc is in his 13th season as head coach of the West Virginia program, owning a 127-89-32 (.577) record. Overall in 14 years as a head coach, LeBlanc holds a 131-92-32 (.576) mark.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 87-29-13 mark (.725), including 134-49-21 (.708) 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 87-29-13 (.725) 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 197-42-29 (.789), including a 56-6-4 (.879) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing 10 conference tournament titles, 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament and two appearances in the College Cup final.
Due in large part to recruiting efforts of Embick and his staff, Akron identified and secured some of the best prospects in the country – and around the world – with top-five recruiting classes. The Zips' classes of 2015, 2012 and 2009 were ranked No. 1 in the country, while the classes of 2016, 2011 and 2010 each received a No. 2 designation.
More importantly, Akron's recruits have flourished in the Zips' system, which features a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball. In total, Embick recruited or helped develop 37 players who have gone on to play professionally either in MLS or overseas since 2007.
Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players selected among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players chosen among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 12.
SIX ZIPS GARNER ALL-MAC ACCOLADES
Led by Skye Harter and David Egbo, who were selected as First-Team All-Mid-American Conference men's soccer selections, six Akron student-athletes garnered All-MAC accolades as announced by the league on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Ben Lundt, Carlo Ritaccio and Sam Tojaga and Marcel Zajac were tabbed second-team honorees.
All six Akron players collected All-MAC accolades for the first time in their respective careers.
Pulling in All-MAC honors for the first time was Harter, who has started 12 of the 16 games in which he has appeared this season, registering a goal and five assists on 12 shots, including five on frame. His five assists rank second on the team and ninth in the conference this season.
Earning first-team honors for the initial time was Egbo, who has started 13 of the 15 games in which he has appeared for Akron this season, owning team-high marks in goals (9), points (21), shots (40), shots on goal (15) and game-winners (4), while rating third in assists (3). He paced the MAC in goals per game (0.60), while ranking second in points per contest (1.40) and game-winning goals (0.27) and third in shots per tilt (2.67).
A three-year starter in goal for the Zips, Lundt has started each of the 14 matches he has appeared in for Akron and owns 37 saves and five shutouts. In league-only affairs, he led the conference in shutouts (0.67) and goals against average (0.62), while rating second in saves per game (4.33). Overall, he ranks first in the MAC in shutouts (0.36).
After missing the first five games of the season due to injury, Zajac has been a dominating force for the Zips starting seven of the 11 matches in which he has appeared en route to collecting a team-high six assists and adding three goals. He ranks second on the team in shots on goal (11) and third in overall shots (20). He is rated second in the league in assists per game (0.55) and sixth in points per contest (1.09), while finishing ninth in league-only affairs in assists (0.25) and shots per game (2.25).
Ritaccio, has started all 14 matches in which he has appeared for the Zips at his center back position, and has helped anchor a Zips' defensive unit that has posted six shutouts this season.
Tojaga has started 13 of the 16 games in which he has played this season and owns an assist on nine shots, including three on goal.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Since joining the Mid-American Conference for the 1993 campaign, Akron owns a 22-1-2 ledger in regular season home finales, including a 5-0 mark under head coach Jared Embick.
• In the last five regular season finales for the Zips, Akron has outscored the opposition 17-1, including shutout victories past Buffalo (4-0 in 2014), Bowling Green (4-0 in 2015), Western Michigan (3-0 in 2016) and Northern Illinois (4-0 in 2017).
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in four of Akron's last five matches.
• Akron owns a Mid-American Conference-best three victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the latest NCAA RPI report. The Zips have bettered No. 30 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 victories over ranked opponents Creighton and Michigan State after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 4-1-1 mark in their last six road matches on the strength of three goals apiece from Diogo Pacheco and David Egbo. Akron has averaged 12.8 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 9.5 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 50-19 margin in corner kicks and a 77-57 edge in total shots.
• Akron's 0-0 draw at Bowling Green marked only the third regular season scoreless league contest for the Zips since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1993. The last time this occurred for Akron was on Oct. 13, 2007 versus Northern Illinois.
• The Zips' contest versus West Virginia represented the 125th match for head coach Jared Embick at Akron and his 200th game overall in his head coaching career.
• Akron's 2-1 overtime setback against West Virginia marked the first home regular season overtime decision not to go in the Zips' favor since Oct. 30, 1992 versus Evansville. During that same span Akron owns a 19-1-20 mark in overtime contests at home. The lone blemish was a 1-0 double-overtime setback against South Florida in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
• Marcel Zajac, Skye Harter, David Egbo, Ezana Kahsay and Morgan Hackworth have contributed six, five, three, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' total of 31.
• As a team, the Zips are rated fifth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.00), 23rd in assists per game (1.94), 28th in total assists (31), 31st in points per contest (5.44), 39th in scoring offense (1.75), 44th in total points (87), 47th in shutout percentage (.375) and 49th in total goals (28).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 22nd in the NCAA in game-winning goals (4), 33rd in goals per contest (0.60), 42nd in total goals (9) and 47th in points per game (1.40).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 victory at SIU Edwardsville on Oct. 27 was the 25th of his Akron career to move him into fourth place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• David Egbo and Marcel Zajac are Akron's active career leaders in goals (10). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (84), games played (72) and game-winning goals (4), while Zajac also leads the team in shots on goal (32), Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (15) and points (31). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 56 games. Â
• In Akron's eight wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 22-5. Akron has outshot the opposition 108-76, including 46-23 on goal. Thirteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering seven goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns four shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 87-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 87 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
• Akron is averaging 10.5 shots per contest in six games against ranked opponents this season. David Egbo paces the squad with a trio of goals on the strength of a team-high 10 shots.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating sixth in career shutouts (26), seventh in minutes played (5,613.29), 26th in goals against average (.962) and 34th in saves (163). He is also 18th across all divisions in career shutouts. Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 36th in career points (58) and 43rd in goals (22).
SEVEN FORMER ZIPS IN MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Seven former Akron men's soccer standouts are among those competing for the MLS Cup when playoff action commenced on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
In the knockout round stage, Jonathan Lewis' New York City FC bested Adam Najem's Philadelphia Union, 3-1, while Wil Trapp and the Columbus Crew SC battled Darren Mattocks and D.C. United to a 2-2 draw before advancing on penalty kicks in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, Zarek Valentin and the Portland Timbers bested FC Dallas, 2-1, while Joao Moutinho and Los Angeles FC were edged by Real Salt Lake, 3-2.
In the opening leg of the aggregate home-and-home stage, Columbus Crew SC posted a 1-0 home win over the New York Red Bulls, while Atlanta United earned a 1-0 road decision against New York City FC. In the Western Conference, the Portland Timbers earned a 2-1 home victory past Seattle.
UP NEXT
A victory by Akron advances the Zips to the championship match of the Mid-American Conference Tournament against the winner of the Bowling Green-Western Michigan tilt on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. in Morgantown, W.Va.
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MATCH NO. 17 - AKRON AT WEST VIRGINIA GAME NOTES (PDF) (11/9)Â
Akron (8-6-2) at No. 12 West Virginia (13-5-0)
Friday, Nov. 9
Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium (1,650)
Morgantown, W.Va. • 5:30 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 15-4-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3
Television: ESPN3
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The fourth-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its 15th Mid-American Conference Championship title battling top-seeded and 12th-ranked West Virginia on Friday, Nov. 9, in the semifinals of the MAC Championship. Game time in Morgantown W.Va. is set for 5:30 p.m. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN app.
ZIPS' MAC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Akron maintains an 34-8-5 mark in 47 matches in Mid-American Conference Championship history, including a 11-0 mark under head coach Jared Embick. The Zips are 23-1-3 in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field in tournament play. Akron is playing in the semifinal round for the 18th consecutive year and 23rd time overall. The Zips own a 16-2-4 record in those contests.
AKRON MAC CHAMPIONSHIP TIDBITS
Senior Morgan Hackworth (Bradenton, Fla.), redshirt junior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), sophomore Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) and junior Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) are Akron's active leaders in MAC Tournament games started (2). Zajac owns a team-high two goals in career tournament play, while Kahsay and Zajac enter action versus West Virginia as the team's MAC Tournament career scoring leaders having recorded four points each. Kahsay also paces the squad in assists with two.
Kahsay and Zajac have posted a team-best 11 shots, including four and five on goal, respectively. Kahsay, Zajac, sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria), freshman Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Hackworth, freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) and Harter have recorded 11 (4), 11 (5), 5 (3), 3 (0), 2(1), 2 (1) and 2 (1) shots (shots on goal), respectively. Senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) owns five starts and eight saves in MAC Tournament play.
AKRON-WEST VIRGINIA MAC TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Zips are meeting West Virginia for the third time in MAC Championship play. In 2015, Akron registered a 3-2 victory past the Mountaineers in the semifinal round at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. The Zips also earned a 3-0 home win over West Virginia in the semifinal round of the 2013 Tournament.
SIX SENIORS CONCLUDE HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus SIU Edwardsville on Nov. 6, 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 (Westerville, Ohio).
A two-year member of the Zips, Hackworth has appeared in 34 matches, including 13 starts and owns three goals, while adding eight assists.
Kahsay has played in a team-best 72 games over his Akron career, including 13 starts. He has registered nine goals, while adding eight assists on the strength of a team-high 84 shots, including 26 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 56 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 (0.947), shutouts (25) and wins (34).
Mohamed has started 15 of the Zips' 16 contests this season owning an assist, while adding 12 shots, including four on frame and has helped Akron's defense to record six shutouts.
Micaletto joined the Zips' squad this fall after playing his first three seasons at Young Harris College and has started eight of 16 games for Akron in 2018 en route to ranking third on the team in shots (20), fifth shots on goal (8) and sixth assists (2), while also netting one goal.
SCOUTING WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia enters play against Akron on Friday, Nov. 9, having won its last five matches and eight of nine overall following a 4-3 overtime triumph at Northern Illinois on Nov. 3. Senior Joey Piatczyc directs the offensive exploits for the Mountaineers owning team-high marks in goals (7), assists (8), points (22) and game-winners (5), while junior Andres Muriel Albino paces the squad in shots (41) and shots on goal (24). Sophomore goalkeeper Steven Tekesky has recorded 68 saves and posted five shutouts, while maintaining a 1.17 goals against average this season.
As a team, West Virginia is ranked third in the NCAA in total assists (44), fifth in assists per game (2.44), 11th in total points (118) and points per contest (6.56), 13th in total goals (37), 16th in scoring offense (2.06), 19th in winning percentage (.722) and 34th in shots on goal (6.22). Individually, Tekesky is 28th in minutes played (1,621.37) and 30th in total saves (68), while Piatczyc is 10th in game-winning goals (5), 12th in assists per game (0.53), 21st in total assists (8) and 35th in points per contest (1.47).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and West Virginia are meeting for the 21st time in program history with the Zips owning a 15-4-1 series advantage. Earlier this season, the Mountaineers registered a 2-1 overtime victory over Akron on Oct. 13 at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 13, 2018 - AKRON, OHIO)
Akron suffered a 2-1 overtime setback to West Virginia in Mid-American Conference play on Oct. 13 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field as Joey Piatczyc's golden goal at the 92:27 mark lifted the Mountaineers to a come-from-behind triumph.
The Zips appeared destined to secure a 1-0 victory over West Virginia as Marcel Zajac's tally in the 57th minute (56:22) maintained Akron's advantage until Piatczyc connected on a goal with only 13 seconds remaining in regulation to send the affair into overtime.
The Zips were outshot on the evening, 15-9, with Zajac pacing Akron's efforts with a game-high three shots, including two on goal. The Mountaineers were led by three shots apiece from Piatczyc, Kevin Morris and Logan Lucas.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made five saves in net for the Zips, while Steven Tekesky collected three stops for West Virginia.
The contest started as a defensive back-and-forth affair in the opening stanza as Akron registered a 6-4 margin in shots, including 3-1 on frame.
The Zips best scoring opportunity in the first half came in the 33rd minute as Zajac struck a ball just beyond the 18-yard box that was blocked before deflecting to the hands of Tekesky. Freshman Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) struck a shot off the rebound that was denied by a save from Tekesky.
Both sides posted a shot in the opening minutes of the second half before Zajac scored his second goal of the season at the 56:22 mark to give the Zips a 1-0 lead. A pair of strong passes from Ezana Kahsay and Skye Harter for assists set up Zajac on the scoring play.
The Mountaineers nearly netted the equalizer in the 78th minute as Ryan Kellogg struck a ball at the 77:36 that was denied for a team save by Ritaccio before the follow-up strike from Albert Andres-Liop was thwarted by a save from Lundt.
Akron appeared to have a quality chance on net in the 92nd minute as David Egbo delivered a ball into the box to a charging Zajac, who had a 1v1 with Tekesky. Unfortunately for the Zips, they were called for an offsides call on the play.
THE COACHES
West Virginia: Marlon LeBlanc is in his 13th season as head coach of the West Virginia program, owning a 127-89-32 (.577) record. Overall in 14 years as a head coach, LeBlanc holds a 131-92-32 (.576) mark.
Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 87-29-13 mark (.725), including 134-49-21 (.708) 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 87-29-13 (.725) 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 197-42-29 (.789), including a 56-6-4 (.879) mark in Mid-American Conference play, while securing 10 conference tournament titles, 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament and two appearances in the College Cup final.
Due in large part to recruiting efforts of Embick and his staff, Akron identified and secured some of the best prospects in the country – and around the world – with top-five recruiting classes. The Zips' classes of 2015, 2012 and 2009 were ranked No. 1 in the country, while the classes of 2016, 2011 and 2010 each received a No. 2 designation.
More importantly, Akron's recruits have flourished in the Zips' system, which features a style of play that is attractive and attack-oriented, yet effective on both sides of the ball. In total, Embick recruited or helped develop 37 players who have gone on to play professionally either in MLS or overseas since 2007.
Since 2008, Akron leads the country with eight players selected among the top-five selections in the MLS SuperDraft. The Zips also boast the highest total of players chosen among the top-10 draftees over the same span with 12.
SIX ZIPS GARNER ALL-MAC ACCOLADES
Led by Skye Harter and David Egbo, who were selected as First-Team All-Mid-American Conference men's soccer selections, six Akron student-athletes garnered All-MAC accolades as announced by the league on Thursday, Nov. 8.
Ben Lundt, Carlo Ritaccio and Sam Tojaga and Marcel Zajac were tabbed second-team honorees.
All six Akron players collected All-MAC accolades for the first time in their respective careers.
Pulling in All-MAC honors for the first time was Harter, who has started 12 of the 16 games in which he has appeared this season, registering a goal and five assists on 12 shots, including five on frame. His five assists rank second on the team and ninth in the conference this season.
Earning first-team honors for the initial time was Egbo, who has started 13 of the 15 games in which he has appeared for Akron this season, owning team-high marks in goals (9), points (21), shots (40), shots on goal (15) and game-winners (4), while rating third in assists (3). He paced the MAC in goals per game (0.60), while ranking second in points per contest (1.40) and game-winning goals (0.27) and third in shots per tilt (2.67).
A three-year starter in goal for the Zips, Lundt has started each of the 14 matches he has appeared in for Akron and owns 37 saves and five shutouts. In league-only affairs, he led the conference in shutouts (0.67) and goals against average (0.62), while rating second in saves per game (4.33). Overall, he ranks first in the MAC in shutouts (0.36).
After missing the first five games of the season due to injury, Zajac has been a dominating force for the Zips starting seven of the 11 matches in which he has appeared en route to collecting a team-high six assists and adding three goals. He ranks second on the team in shots on goal (11) and third in overall shots (20). He is rated second in the league in assists per game (0.55) and sixth in points per contest (1.09), while finishing ninth in league-only affairs in assists (0.25) and shots per game (2.25).
Ritaccio, has started all 14 matches in which he has appeared for the Zips at his center back position, and has helped anchor a Zips' defensive unit that has posted six shutouts this season.
Tojaga has started 13 of the 16 games in which he has played this season and owns an assist on nine shots, including three on goal.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Since joining the Mid-American Conference for the 1993 campaign, Akron owns a 22-1-2 ledger in regular season home finales, including a 5-0 mark under head coach Jared Embick.
• In the last five regular season finales for the Zips, Akron has outscored the opposition 17-1, including shutout victories past Buffalo (4-0 in 2014), Bowling Green (4-0 in 2015), Western Michigan (3-0 in 2016) and Northern Illinois (4-0 in 2017).
• Marcel Zajac has recorded a point in four of Akron's last five matches.
• Akron owns a Mid-American Conference-best three victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the latest NCAA RPI report. The Zips have bettered No. 30 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 victories over ranked opponents Creighton and Michigan State after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 4-1-1 mark in their last six road matches on the strength of three goals apiece from Diogo Pacheco and David Egbo. Akron has averaged 12.8 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 9.5 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 50-19 margin in corner kicks and a 77-57 edge in total shots.
• Akron's 0-0 draw at Bowling Green marked only the third regular season scoreless league contest for the Zips since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1993. The last time this occurred for Akron was on Oct. 13, 2007 versus Northern Illinois.
• The Zips' contest versus West Virginia represented the 125th match for head coach Jared Embick at Akron and his 200th game overall in his head coaching career.
• Akron's 2-1 overtime setback against West Virginia marked the first home regular season overtime decision not to go in the Zips' favor since Oct. 30, 1992 versus Evansville. During that same span Akron owns a 19-1-20 mark in overtime contests at home. The lone blemish was a 1-0 double-overtime setback against South Florida in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.
• Marcel Zajac, Skye Harter, David Egbo, Ezana Kahsay and Morgan Hackworth have contributed six, five, three, three and three assists, respectively, to the Zips' total of 31.
• As a team, the Zips are rated fifth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.00), 23rd in assists per game (1.94), 28th in total assists (31), 31st in points per contest (5.44), 39th in scoring offense (1.75), 44th in total points (87), 47th in shutout percentage (.375) and 49th in total goals (28).
• Individually, David Egbo is ranked 22nd in the NCAA in game-winning goals (4), 33rd in goals per contest (0.60), 42nd in total goals (9) and 47th in points per game (1.40).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 victory at SIU Edwardsville on Oct. 27 was the 25th of his Akron career to move him into fourth place on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• David Egbo and Marcel Zajac are Akron's active career leaders in goals (10). Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (84), games played (72) and game-winning goals (4), while Zajac also leads the team in shots on goal (32), Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (15) and points (31). Ben Lundt has started a team-high 56 games. Â
• In Akron's eight wins this season the Zips have outscored their opponents 22-5. Akron has outshot the opposition 108-76, including 46-23 on goal. Thirteen different Zips have contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering seven goals and two assists. Ben Lundt owns four shutouts in those matches.
• The Zips own a 87-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 87 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.
• Akron is averaging 10.5 shots per contest in six games against ranked opponents this season. David Egbo paces the squad with a trio of goals on the strength of a team-high 10 shots.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating sixth in career shutouts (26), seventh in minutes played (5,613.29), 26th in goals against average (.962) and 34th in saves (163). He is also 18th across all divisions in career shutouts. Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 36th in career points (58) and 43rd in goals (22).
SEVEN FORMER ZIPS IN MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Seven former Akron men's soccer standouts are among those competing for the MLS Cup when playoff action commenced on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
In the knockout round stage, Jonathan Lewis' New York City FC bested Adam Najem's Philadelphia Union, 3-1, while Wil Trapp and the Columbus Crew SC battled Darren Mattocks and D.C. United to a 2-2 draw before advancing on penalty kicks in the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference, Zarek Valentin and the Portland Timbers bested FC Dallas, 2-1, while Joao Moutinho and Los Angeles FC were edged by Real Salt Lake, 3-2.
In the opening leg of the aggregate home-and-home stage, Columbus Crew SC posted a 1-0 home win over the New York Red Bulls, while Atlanta United earned a 1-0 road decision against New York City FC. In the Western Conference, the Portland Timbers earned a 2-1 home victory past Seattle.
UP NEXT
A victory by Akron advances the Zips to the championship match of the Mid-American Conference Tournament against the winner of the Bowling Green-Western Michigan tilt on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. in Morgantown, W.Va.
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/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Comments at Vermont - 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan - 9/9/2025
Wednesday, September 10
2025 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
