The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, September 15
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Canisius
Canisius Up Next for Akron Men's Soccer
September 14 | Men's Soccer
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Akron (1-3-1) vs. Canisius (1-2-1)
Saturday, Sept. 15
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 2-0-0
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN +
Television: ESPN+
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team eyes a return to the win column as the Zips welcome Canisius to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Sept. 15. Akron's original opponent for the evening, Connecticut, was unable to face the Zips due to travel considerations associated with the impending landfall of Hurricane Florence. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
AKRON VERSUS THE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the first time this season and the third time in program history, all coming versus Canisius.
• In all, Akron is 2-0-0 (1.000) versus teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
SCOUTING CANISIUS
Canisius comes into play on Saturday, Sept. 15, winless in its last three contests following a 0-0 double-overtime draw at Bucknell on Sept. 7. The Golden Griffins had their scheduled contest with Saint Francis on Sept. 9 postponed due to field conditions associated with rain, their second such cancellation this season. Junior Troy Brady directs the offensive exploits for Canisius owning team-high marks in goals (2), points (4) and shots on goal (5), while ranking second in overall shots (9). Redshirt senior goalkeeper Bryce Tramuta has recorded 23 saves and owns two shutouts on the strength of a 1.42 goals against average.
As a team, Canisius is 11th in the NCAA in saves per game (5.75), 13th in shots on goal (7.25), 27th in shutout percentage (.500), 33rd in shots per contest (14.25), and 44th in assists per game (1.75) and save percentage (.793). Individually, Tramuta is 10th in saves per game (5.75), 26th in total saves (23), 31st in shutouts (2) and 50th in save percentage (.793), while redshirt senior Bjarki Benediktsson is rated 26th nationally in assists per game (0.67).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is squaring off against Canisius for the third time in program history and for the initial time since 1996. The Zips bested the Golden Griffins in the last encounter, 1-0, on Aug. 30, 1996, while defeating Canisius, 5-1, in the first meeting between the two schools on Oct. 7, 1994. Both matches were played in Akron, Ohio.
THE COACHES
Canisius: Dermot McGrane is in his eighth season as head coach of the Canisius program, owning a 58-59-17 (.496) record and is 122-153-40 (.451) in 18 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 80-26-12 mark (.729), including 127-46-20 (.710) 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 80-26-12 (.729) ledger after posting an 18-4-2 record a season ago en route to earning the program's fifth College Cup berth. Akron also posted a perfect 12-0 ledger at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field in 2017.
During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 190-39-28 (.794), including a 55-4-3 (.911) 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
A CELEBRATION OF AKRON SOCCER
The University of Akron will welcome back legendary Zips' head men's soccer coach Caleb Porter, a 2018 Varsity 'A' Sports Hall of Fame inductee, alongside current head coach Jared Embick, for a special evening celebrating the success of Akron men's soccer on Thursday, Oct. 4.
The event held at InfoCision Stadium promises to be an evening of stories and laughter fans of Akron men's soccer will not want to miss. Steve Zakuani, who starred for the Zips during the 2007 and 2008 campaign and was the top pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft as well as 2008 All-America honoree and Hermann Trophy finalist and 2009, will serve as host for the special night.
A VIP meet-and-greet will kick off the event from 6-7 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The evening will officially begin with opening remarks at 7:15 p.m. followed by the serving of dinner at 7:20 p.m.
The highlight of the evening will be a gathering of two of the most successful coaches in program history with Embick and Porter taking the stage at 8 p.m. A fireside chat hosted by Zakuani over the next hour will take the coaches down memory lane to discuss their memories of the past, present and future success of Akron men's soccer.
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ZIPS TIDBITS
• Fourteen different Zips have registered shots this season, including eight newcomers.Â
• Four Akron freshmen in Colin Biros, Marco Milanese, Carlo Ritaccio and Sam Tojaga 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 and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) along with junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also getting the starting nod.
• Six different Akron freshmen have earned the starting nod this season for the Zips. Colin Biros and Marco Milanese have started each of Akron's first five matches on the campaign, while Carlo Ritaccio, Sam Tojaga, Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) and Daniel Oliveira (Lisbon, Portugal) have started three, two, two and one game, respectively.
• The Zips own a 80-26-12 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 80 wins leads all of Division I.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating sixth in career shutouts (22), seventh in minutes played (4,777.12), 19th in goals against average (.942), 27th in saves (140) and 35th in save percentage (.737). Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 21st in career points (56), 26th in goals (22), 30th in goals per game (0.35) and 32nd in points per contest (0.90).
• Akron has equaled or bettered the opposition in shots in a game in 26 of its last 27 matches at home.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 16-4-2.
• Skye Harter is Akron's active career leader in goals (7), assists (10) and points (24), while senior Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (65), games played (61) and game-winning goals (3). Sophomore Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) leads the Zips in goals (7) and shots on goal (21), while Ben Lundt has started a team-high 47 games.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 51 of the squad's last 81 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 17 of its last 27 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• Akron owns a 49-5-4 record in its last 58 home matches.
PROTECTING OUR HOUSE
Since 2007, the Zips have recorded a 116-9-14 (.885) ledger in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. Akron owns four unbeaten campaigns during that span, including posting home marks of 12-0-1, 13-0-0, 12-0-1, 10-0-2 and 12-0-0 during the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2017 seasons, respectively.
UP NEXT
Akron opens a two-match road swing traveling to Phoenix, Ariz., to square off against Grand Canyon on Sept. 20 in a 10 p.m. ET tilt.
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MATCH NO. 6 - AKRON VS. CANISIUS GAME NOTES (PDF) (9/15)Â
Akron (1-3-1) vs. Canisius (1-2-1)
Saturday, Sept. 15
FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 2-0-0
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN +
Television: ESPN+
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team eyes a return to the win column as the Zips welcome Canisius to FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Sept. 15. Akron's original opponent for the evening, Connecticut, was unable to face the Zips due to travel considerations associated with the impending landfall of Hurricane Florence. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
AKRON VERSUS THE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for the first time this season and the third time in program history, all coming versus Canisius.
• In all, Akron is 2-0-0 (1.000) versus teams from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
SCOUTING CANISIUS
Canisius comes into play on Saturday, Sept. 15, winless in its last three contests following a 0-0 double-overtime draw at Bucknell on Sept. 7. The Golden Griffins had their scheduled contest with Saint Francis on Sept. 9 postponed due to field conditions associated with rain, their second such cancellation this season. Junior Troy Brady directs the offensive exploits for Canisius owning team-high marks in goals (2), points (4) and shots on goal (5), while ranking second in overall shots (9). Redshirt senior goalkeeper Bryce Tramuta has recorded 23 saves and owns two shutouts on the strength of a 1.42 goals against average.
As a team, Canisius is 11th in the NCAA in saves per game (5.75), 13th in shots on goal (7.25), 27th in shutout percentage (.500), 33rd in shots per contest (14.25), and 44th in assists per game (1.75) and save percentage (.793). Individually, Tramuta is 10th in saves per game (5.75), 26th in total saves (23), 31st in shutouts (2) and 50th in save percentage (.793), while redshirt senior Bjarki Benediktsson is rated 26th nationally in assists per game (0.67).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is squaring off against Canisius for the third time in program history and for the initial time since 1996. The Zips bested the Golden Griffins in the last encounter, 1-0, on Aug. 30, 1996, while defeating Canisius, 5-1, in the first meeting between the two schools on Oct. 7, 1994. Both matches were played in Akron, Ohio.
THE COACHES
Canisius: Dermot McGrane is in his eighth season as head coach of the Canisius program, owning a 58-59-17 (.496) record and is 122-153-40 (.451) in 18 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 80-26-12 mark (.729), including 127-46-20 (.710) 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 80-26-12 (.729) ledger after posting an 18-4-2 record a season ago en route to earning the program's fifth College Cup berth. Akron also posted a perfect 12-0 ledger at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field in 2017.
During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 190-39-28 (.794), including a 55-4-3 (.911) 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
A CELEBRATION OF AKRON SOCCER
The University of Akron will welcome back legendary Zips' head men's soccer coach Caleb Porter, a 2018 Varsity 'A' Sports Hall of Fame inductee, alongside current head coach Jared Embick, for a special evening celebrating the success of Akron men's soccer on Thursday, Oct. 4.
The event held at InfoCision Stadium promises to be an evening of stories and laughter fans of Akron men's soccer will not want to miss. Steve Zakuani, who starred for the Zips during the 2007 and 2008 campaign and was the top pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft as well as 2008 All-America honoree and Hermann Trophy finalist and 2009, will serve as host for the special night.
A VIP meet-and-greet will kick off the event from 6-7 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The evening will officially begin with opening remarks at 7:15 p.m. followed by the serving of dinner at 7:20 p.m.
The highlight of the evening will be a gathering of two of the most successful coaches in program history with Embick and Porter taking the stage at 8 p.m. A fireside chat hosted by Zakuani over the next hour will take the coaches down memory lane to discuss their memories of the past, present and future success of Akron men's soccer.
Â
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Fourteen different Zips have registered shots this season, including eight newcomers.Â
• Four Akron freshmen in Colin Biros, Marco Milanese, Carlo Ritaccio and Sam Tojaga 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 and Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) along with junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also getting the starting nod.
• Six different Akron freshmen have earned the starting nod this season for the Zips. Colin Biros and Marco Milanese have started each of Akron's first five matches on the campaign, while Carlo Ritaccio, Sam Tojaga, Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) and Daniel Oliveira (Lisbon, Portugal) have started three, two, two and one game, respectively.
• The Zips own a 80-26-12 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 80 wins leads all of Division I.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating sixth in career shutouts (22), seventh in minutes played (4,777.12), 19th in goals against average (.942), 27th in saves (140) and 35th in save percentage (.737). Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 21st in career points (56), 26th in goals (22), 30th in goals per game (0.35) and 32nd in points per contest (0.90).
• Akron has equaled or bettered the opposition in shots in a game in 26 of its last 27 matches at home.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 16-4-2.
• Skye Harter is Akron's active career leader in goals (7), assists (10) and points (24), while senior Ezana Kahsay paces the squad in shots (65), games played (61) and game-winning goals (3). Sophomore Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) leads the Zips in goals (7) and shots on goal (21), while Ben Lundt has started a team-high 47 games.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 51 of the squad's last 81 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 17 of its last 27 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
• Akron owns a 49-5-4 record in its last 58 home matches.
PROTECTING OUR HOUSE
Since 2007, the Zips have recorded a 116-9-14 (.885) ledger in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. Akron owns four unbeaten campaigns during that span, including posting home marks of 12-0-1, 13-0-0, 12-0-1, 10-0-2 and 12-0-0 during the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2017 seasons, respectively.
UP NEXT
Akron opens a two-match road swing traveling to Phoenix, Ariz., to square off against Grand Canyon on Sept. 20 in a 10 p.m. ET tilt.
Players Mentioned
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