The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, September 1
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Pittsburgh
Zips Battle Pittsburgh to Close Homestand
August 31 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (0-1-1) vs. Pittsburgh (1-1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 1
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 17-7-2
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: www.gozips.com
Television: ESPN+
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The second-rated University of Akron men's soccer team concludes it season-opening three-match homestand welcoming Pittsburgh to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Sept. 1. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
AKRON VERSUS THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second time this season and 68th time overall.
• Akron owns a 37-24-6 (.597) 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 2-0 setback 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.
SCOUTING PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh enters its showdown with Akron on Saturday having split its opening two contests of the 2018 campaign following a 6-1 victory over Delaware on Monday, Aug. 27. On the strength of scoring a hat trick in the triumph over the Blue Hens, sophomore Edward Kizza owns team-high marks in goals (3), points (6), goals (8) and shots on goal (7). Freshman goalkeeper Johan Penaranda owns the majority of minutes in net for the Panthers this season and has recorded a pair of saves. The game will also mark the return to Akron of former Zips Robby Dambrot and Shane Wiedt, who are seniors for Pittsburgh.
Individually, Kizza is rated fourth in the NCAA in goals (3) and shots on goal per game (3.50), sixth in goals per tilt (1.50), ninth in total points (6), 11th in points per game (3.00) and 31st in shots per match (4.00), while Javi Perez is ranked fifth in game-winning goals (1) and Chandler Vaughn is 10th in assists (2) and 13th in assists per game (1.00). As a team, Pittsburgh is rated seventh in total goals (6), 10th in scoring offense (3.00), 18th in total points (16), 22nd in points per outing (8.00), 24th in shot on goal per game (7.50), 28th in total assists (4) and 31st in assists per tilt (2.00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Pittsburgh are meeting for the 27th time in program history with the Zips owning a 17-7-2 series advantage. A year ago, Akron registered a 3-0 victory over the 20th-rated Panthers on Oct. 24, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh: Jay Vidovich is in his third season as head coach of the Pittsburgh program, owning a 10-24-3 (.311) record, while sporting a 283-145-53 (.643) ledger in 24 years overall 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 79-24-12 mark (.739), including 126-44-20 (.716) overall, in his 10th year as a head coach.
EGBO EARNS NATIONAL ACCOLADES
Akron sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) was honored as the Mid-American Conference Men's Co-Soccer Player of the Week, the league announced on Aug. 28.
Additionally, Egbo was named the Akron Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week as well as being selected by College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Men's Soccer National Teams of the Week.
Egbo turned in a breakout game in the Zips' season opener versus No. 9 Butler on Aug. 24, registering his first-ever multi-goal performance in a 2-2 double-overtime draw versus the Bulldogs. He finished the evening with two goals on the strength of a career-best five shots, including three on goal.
On the season, Egbo owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (4), shots (8) and shots on goal (3).
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Four Akron freshmen in Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy), Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) and Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) earned the starting assignment in their collegiate debuts versus Butler on Aug. 24. Overall, seven Zips' newcomers started against the Bulldogs, with seniors Marco Micaletto (Reading, England) and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) along with junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also getting the starting nod.
• The Zips own a 79-24-12 mark over the last five seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 79 wins leads all of Division I.
• The Zips are 0-1-1 versus ranked teams in 2018 after a 2-0 setback against North Carolina State on Aug. 27. Akron is averaging 14.5 shots per contest and have limited its opponents to 6.0 shots a game. David Egbo paces the squad with a pair of goals on the strength of a team-high eight shots.
• Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating fifth in career shutouts (21), sixth in minutes played (4,507.12), 11th in goals against average (.919), 27th in saves (128) and 28th in save percentage (.919). Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 22nd in career points (54), 27th in goals (21), 29th in goals per game (0.36) and 30th in points per contest (0.92) and Abid Mohamed is 42nd in games played (60).
• The Zips have outshot the opposition in 22 of their last 26 contests.
• The Zips have outshot the opposition this season by a 28-13 margin, including posting a 13-6 edge in the second half of play.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 15-3-2.
• The Zips are ranked ninth nationally in attendance in 2018 averaging 2,027 for two home games. In 2016 and 2017, Akron rated 10th nationally in attendance averaging 2,147 and 1,819 fans per contest, respectively.
SEPTEMBER DOMINANCE
The Zips found their stride in the month of September as Akron registered five victories in the month a year ago, bettering No. 10 Washington (2-0, Sept. 1), UC Santa Barbara (3-1, Sept. 9.), No. 21 UMass Lowell (5-0, Sept. 24), No. 1 Michigan State (4-1, Sept. 27) and Saint Mary's (2-1, Sept. 30).
For the month, the Zips were led by four goals and one assist from Sam Gainford, while Nick Hinds added two goals and a pair of assists. Akron outshot the opposition, 83-49, including 34-22 on frame. Ben Lundt was stellar in goal for the Zips owning a 0.47 goal against average on the strength of 17 saves and a trio of shutouts.
Over the last 15 seasons (2003-present), Akron boasts a 81-17-12 (.791) ledger in the month of September, including a 5-0-1 mark this fall.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Aug. 29) (.799), with an overall record of 189-37-28. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 171-45-34 (.752), North Carolina, 162-49-35 (.730), Creighton, 166-56-24 (.724) and Wake Forest, 150-49-33 (.718). Akron has made 11 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-17), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of the last 11 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 32 times, including each of the past 11 seasons and 16 of the past 17.
UP NEXT
Akron faces its first road contest of the season as the Zips face Seattle on Friday, Sept. 7. Game time against the Redhawks is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET in Seattle, Wash., and will be streamed on the WAC Digital Network.
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MATCH NO. 3 - AKRON VS. PITTSBURGH GAME NOTES (PDF) (9/1)Â
Akron (0-1-1) vs. Pittsburgh (1-1-0)
Saturday, Sept. 1
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 17-7-2
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: www.gozips.com
Television: ESPN+
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The second-rated University of Akron men's soccer team concludes it season-opening three-match homestand welcoming Pittsburgh to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Sept. 1. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
AKRON VERSUS THE ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference for the second time this season and 68th time overall.
• Akron owns a 37-24-6 (.597) 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 2-0 setback 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.
SCOUTING PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh enters its showdown with Akron on Saturday having split its opening two contests of the 2018 campaign following a 6-1 victory over Delaware on Monday, Aug. 27. On the strength of scoring a hat trick in the triumph over the Blue Hens, sophomore Edward Kizza owns team-high marks in goals (3), points (6), goals (8) and shots on goal (7). Freshman goalkeeper Johan Penaranda owns the majority of minutes in net for the Panthers this season and has recorded a pair of saves. The game will also mark the return to Akron of former Zips Robby Dambrot and Shane Wiedt, who are seniors for Pittsburgh.
Individually, Kizza is rated fourth in the NCAA in goals (3) and shots on goal per game (3.50), sixth in goals per tilt (1.50), ninth in total points (6), 11th in points per game (3.00) and 31st in shots per match (4.00), while Javi Perez is ranked fifth in game-winning goals (1) and Chandler Vaughn is 10th in assists (2) and 13th in assists per game (1.00). As a team, Pittsburgh is rated seventh in total goals (6), 10th in scoring offense (3.00), 18th in total points (16), 22nd in points per outing (8.00), 24th in shot on goal per game (7.50), 28th in total assists (4) and 31st in assists per tilt (2.00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Pittsburgh are meeting for the 27th time in program history with the Zips owning a 17-7-2 series advantage. A year ago, Akron registered a 3-0 victory over the 20th-rated Panthers on Oct. 24, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
THE COACHES
Pittsburgh: Jay Vidovich is in his third season as head coach of the Pittsburgh program, owning a 10-24-3 (.311) record, while sporting a 283-145-53 (.643) ledger in 24 years overall 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 79-24-12 mark (.739), including 126-44-20 (.716) overall, in his 10th year as a head coach.
EGBO EARNS NATIONAL ACCOLADES
Akron sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) was honored as the Mid-American Conference Men's Co-Soccer Player of the Week, the league announced on Aug. 28.
Additionally, Egbo was named the Akron Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week as well as being selected by College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Men's Soccer National Teams of the Week.
Egbo turned in a breakout game in the Zips' season opener versus No. 9 Butler on Aug. 24, registering his first-ever multi-goal performance in a 2-2 double-overtime draw versus the Bulldogs. He finished the evening with two goals on the strength of a career-best five shots, including three on goal.
On the season, Egbo owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (4), shots (8) and shots on goal (3).
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Four Akron freshmen in Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy), Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) and Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) earned the starting assignment in their collegiate debuts versus Butler on Aug. 24. Overall, seven Zips' newcomers started against the Bulldogs, with seniors Marco Micaletto (Reading, England) and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) along with junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also getting the starting nod.
• The Zips own a 79-24-12 mark over the last five seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 79 wins leads all of Division I.
• The Zips are 0-1-1 versus ranked teams in 2018 after a 2-0 setback against North Carolina State on Aug. 27. Akron is averaging 14.5 shots per contest and have limited its opponents to 6.0 shots a game. David Egbo paces the squad with a pair of goals on the strength of a team-high eight shots.
• Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating fifth in career shutouts (21), sixth in minutes played (4,507.12), 11th in goals against average (.919), 27th in saves (128) and 28th in save percentage (.919). Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 22nd in career points (54), 27th in goals (21), 29th in goals per game (0.36) and 30th in points per contest (0.92) and Abid Mohamed is 42nd in games played (60).
• The Zips have outshot the opposition in 22 of their last 26 contests.
• The Zips have outshot the opposition this season by a 28-13 margin, including posting a 13-6 edge in the second half of play.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 15-3-2.
• The Zips are ranked ninth nationally in attendance in 2018 averaging 2,027 for two home games. In 2016 and 2017, Akron rated 10th nationally in attendance averaging 2,147 and 1,819 fans per contest, respectively.
SEPTEMBER DOMINANCE
The Zips found their stride in the month of September as Akron registered five victories in the month a year ago, bettering No. 10 Washington (2-0, Sept. 1), UC Santa Barbara (3-1, Sept. 9.), No. 21 UMass Lowell (5-0, Sept. 24), No. 1 Michigan State (4-1, Sept. 27) and Saint Mary's (2-1, Sept. 30).
For the month, the Zips were led by four goals and one assist from Sam Gainford, while Nick Hinds added two goals and a pair of assists. Akron outshot the opposition, 83-49, including 34-22 on frame. Ben Lundt was stellar in goal for the Zips owning a 0.47 goal against average on the strength of 17 saves and a trio of shutouts.
Over the last 15 seasons (2003-present), Akron boasts a 81-17-12 (.791) ledger in the month of September, including a 5-0-1 mark this fall.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Aug. 29) (.799), with an overall record of 189-37-28. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 171-45-34 (.752), North Carolina, 162-49-35 (.730), Creighton, 166-56-24 (.724) and Wake Forest, 150-49-33 (.718). Akron has made 11 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-17), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of the last 11 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 32 times, including each of the past 11 seasons and 16 of the past 17.
UP NEXT
Akron faces its first road contest of the season as the Zips face Seattle on Friday, Sept. 7. Game time against the Redhawks is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET in Seattle, Wash., and will be streamed on the WAC Digital Network.
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