Akron Faces Top-25 Showdown at No. 24 Seattle

Friday, September 7

Seattle, Wash.

10:30 PM

University of Akron

Seattle

September 06 | Men's Soccer

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MATCH NO. 4 - AKRON AT SEATTLE GAME NOTES (PDF) (9/7)

Akron (1-1-1) at Seattle (2-1-0)
Friday, Sept. 7
Championship Field (650)
Seattle, Wash. • 10:30 p.m. ET

Series History: Akron leads 2-0-0
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: WAC Digital Network
Television: WAC Digital Network

MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK

WHAT'S AHEAD
The 12th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team commences the road portion of its schedule this weekend as the Zips travel to Seattle, Wash., to square off against No. 24 Seattle on Friday, Sept. 7. Match time at Championship Field is slated for 10:30 p.m. ET with the tilt being streamed on the Western Athletic Conference Digital Network.

AKRON VERSUS THE WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Western Athletic Conference for the seventh time in program history and first time this season.
• Akron opened the 2017 campaign with a 1-0 setback at then No. 16 Utah Valley on Aug. 25 before registering a 3-0 victory over No. 22 Seattle in the NCAA Tournament Second Round on Nov. 19.
• In all, Akron is 5-1-0 (.833) versus teams from the Western Athletic Conference.

SCOUTING SEATTLE
Seattle enters action on Friday, Sept. 7 with a 2-1-0 mark following a 2-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Sunday, Sept. 2. Redshirt junior Cody Gibson leads the Redhawks' offensive efforts this season pacing the team in goals (1) and points (3), while ranking second in assists (1), third in shots on goal (3) and fourth in shots (7). Redshirt senior goalkeeper Josh Adachi has recorded seven saves and owns one shutout on the strength of a 1.67 goals against average.

As a team, Seattle is leading the NCAA in shots per game (22.33), while ranking eighth in shots on goal per contest (8.00), 30th in corner kicks (6.33), 33rd in scoring offense (2.00) and 45th in total goals (6). Individually, sophomore Gabriel Ruiz is 34th in total assists (2) and 38th in assists per game (0.67), while senior Sergio Rivas is 50th in shots per game (3.33).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Seattle are squaring off for the third time in program history with the Zips owning a 2-0-0 series advantage. A year ago, Akron registered a 3-0 home victory at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field in the NCAA Tournament after getting past the then No. 9 Redhawks, 1-0, on Aug. 28, 2016.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 19, 2017 - AKRON, OHIO)
University of Akron men's soccer seniors Sam Gainford and Stuart Holthusen continued their dominating run of play netting a goal apiece to lead the third-rated and fifth-seeded Zips to a 3-0 victory past No. 22 Seattle in the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship on Nov. 19, 2017 at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

The Zips outshot the Redhawks in the affair, 12-4, including posting a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Gainford paced the Zips' offensive efforts with a game-high four shots, while contributing two shots apiece was Holthusen and Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio). Alex Roldan collected a team-high three shots for the Redhawks.

Goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) pulled in two saves for Akron en route to earning the clean sheet, while his counterpart, Josh Adachi made two saves for Seattle.

Equally impressive for the Zips was the play of its defensive backline of Niko De Vera, Joao Moutinho, Nate Shultz and Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio).

The Zips broke into the scoring column in the seventh minute (6:27) when Gainford connected on a strike from 15 yards out off an assist from senior Manuel Cordeiro. The tally came off a strong give-and-go at the top of the box by Cordeiro to streaking Gainford, who delivered the ball into the corner of the net to give the Zips a 1-0 lead.

The Zips held a 1-0 lead at the intermission after outpacing Seattle in shots in the opening stanza, 7-0, including 2-0 edge in shots on frame.

The Redhawks came out of the gate to begin the second half as the aggressors registering their first three shots of the game and of the final period for either team. Lundt denied the first two strikes on goal by Roldan (45:57) and Nick Prasad (49:00) as he made a pair of saves, including a diving stop to deny the scoring chances.

Roldan narrowly missed connecting on the equalizer for Seattle in the 66th minute (65:55) as his shot in the box went inches wide of the corner of the goal.

De Vera followed in the 73rd minute delivering a beautiful pass to a streaking Holthusen, who spun past the defender and punched in the goal at the 72:10 mark to extend Akron's lead to 2-0.

Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) capped the scoring for the Zips on the afternoon with his fourth goal of the year in the 89th minute (88:16).

THE COACHES
Seattle: Pete Fewing is in his 25th season as head coach of the Seattle program, owning a 291-167-41 (.624) record

Akron: In his sixth year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 12th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 80-24-12 mark (.741), including 127-44-20 (.717) 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 80-24-12 (.741) 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 190-37-28 (.800), 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

Akron went on to post its 17th consecutive double-digit victory campaign in 2017 and concluded the year with a 18-4-2 ledger, including a 4-1-0 mark in the MAC and was rewarded by the NCAA with a No. 5 national seed. The Zips captured the MAC tournament title with a 3-1 triumph past No. 4 Western Michigan on the Broncos' home field en route to collecting the program's 32nd NCAA Tournament berth. The Zips became one of just four Division I programs to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in each of the past 11 seasons.

EGBO NETS GAME-WINNER IN 1-0 WIN OVER PITTSBURGH
University of Akron sophomore David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) delivered what proved to be the game-winning tally in the fifth minute (4:17) and the second-ranked Zips locked down defensively over the remainder of its tilt with Pittsburgh to register a 1-0 victory on Sept. 1, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.

Egbo scored his team-leading third goal of the season off a strong pass into the box by sophomore Daniel Strachan to give Akron a 1-0 lead.

A sliding save by Zips' senior goalkeeper Ben Lundt at the 18:44 mark prevented the Panthers from netting the equalizer off a strike in the box by Dexter Alexander.

Akron appeared to assume a 2-0 lead in the 22nd minute (21:43) as senior Abdi Mohamed (Westerville, Ohio) ricocheted a laser off the foot of Egbo into the back of the net. The tally though was taken off the board as the Zips were whistled for an offsides call.

Akron maintained a 1-0 advantage at halftime despite Pittsburgh finishing the initial stanza outshooting the Zips, 9-1, including 2-1 on frame.

The Zips again had a solid scoring opportunity in the 79th minute (78:56) as senior Marco Micaletto (Reading, England) played a ball into the box to Mohamed off a corner kick by redshirt junior Skye Harter. The strike was again thwarted by a save from Penaranda.

A game-saving sliding tackle in the box by freshman Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) denied Alexander from getting off a shot on goal for Pittsburgh with 7:15 remaining in the game.

Despite registering an 8-4 margin in second-half shots, including 3-0 on goal, Akron was outshot on the evening, 13-9.

Egbo paced the Zips with a team-high three shots, while freshman Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) contributed a pair of strikes in reserve duty. Javi Perez directed Pittsburgh's attack with a game-high four shots.

Lundt registered a pair of saves in the match to notch his first clean sheet of the season. Penaranda wrapped up the evening with three saves for the Panthers.

RITACCIO EARNS USMNT U-19 CALL-UP
University of Akron men's soccer freshman Carlo Ritaccio was named to the United States U-19 Men's National Team for the upcoming 2018 U-20 Men's Invitational tournament at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. from Sept. 7-11.

The U.S. U-20 and U-19 Men's National Teams will face Venezuela and Jamaica, as well as square off against each other in the round-robin style competition.

Each of the match days – Sept. 7, 9 and 11 – will feature a doubleheader (11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET) with the U-20 MNT playing the second game each day. The winner of the competition will be based on total points. Tie-breakers will first be overall goal difference and then total goals scored.

EGBO EARNS NATIONAL ACCOLADES
Akron sophomore David Egbo was again honored this week for his play on the field for the Zips as TopDrawerSoccer.com named him an honorable mention selection to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 4

A week earlier, Egbo was honored as the Mid-American Conference Men's Co-Soccer Player of the Week (Aug. 28), as well as being named the Akron Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week to go along with his selection by College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Men's Soccer National Teams of the Week.

Egbo scored what proved to be the game-winning tally in a 1-0 victory over Pittsburgh on Sept. 1 en route to posting team-high marks on the week in goals (1), points (2), shots (6), shots on goal (3) and game-winners (1).

On the season, Egbo owns team-high totals in goals (3), points (6), shots (11), shots on goal (6) and game-winners (1).

ZIPS TIDBITS
• David Egbo enters the Zips' showdown at Seattle ranked 13th in the NCAA in goals per game (1.00), 20th in total goals (3), 21st in points per tilt (2.00), 23rd in shots on goal per outing (2.00), 37th in shot per match (3.67) and 39th in total points (6).
• The shutout for Ben Lundt in a 1-0 win over Pittsburgh on Sept. 1 was the 21st of his Akron career to move him into a tie with Justin Christafaris (2001-04) for seventh on the all-time career list for the Zips.
• Fourteen different Zips have registered shots this season, including eight newcomers.
• Four Akron freshmen in Colin Biros (Canton, Ohio), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy), 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 along with junior Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario) also getting the starting nod.
• Five different Akron freshmen have earned the starting nod this season for the Zips. Colin Biros, Marco Milanese and Carlo Ritaccio have started each of Akron's first three matches on the campaign, while Sam Tojaga and Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) have started two and one game, respectively.
• The Zips own a 80-24-12 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 80 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.
• 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.
• Ben Lundt ranks among the active career leaders in Division I rating sixth in career shutouts (22), seventh in minutes played (4,597.12), 11th in goals against average (.901), 28th in save percentage (.919) and 30th in saves (130). Additionally, Marco Micaletto is ranked 22nd in career points (54), 27th in goals (21), 29th in goals per game (0.35) and 31st 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.
• The Zips have outshot the opposition in 22 of their last 27 contests.
• Ben Lundt surpassed 4,000 career minutes in goal versus Butler on Aug. 24 and now owns the fifth-best career goals against average (0.88) in program history.
• The Zips have outshot the opposition this season by a 37-26 margin, including posting a 21-10 edge in the second half of play.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 16-3-2.
• Skye Harter is Akron's active career leader in goals (7), assists (10) and points (24), while senior Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) paces the squad in shots (65), games played (59) 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 45 games.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 51 of the squad's last 79 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.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 19-12-2 mark against ranked opponents after a 2-0 victory last season past Washington on Sept. 1, a 5-0 triumph over No. 21 UMass Lowell on Sept. 24, a 4-1 win versus No. 1 Michigan State on Sept. 27, a 2-0 decision against Notre Dame on Oct. 17, a 2-0 victory over No. 20 Pittsburgh on Oct. 24, a 4-0 decision past No. 25 West Virginia on Oct. 27, a 3-1 win over No. 4 Western Michigan on Nov. 12, a 3-0 victory versus No. 22 Seattle on Nov. 19 and a 3-2 overtime decision past No. 13 Wisconsin on Nov. 25.
• The Zips are ranked eighth nationally in attendance in 2018 averaging 1,948 for three home games. In 2016 and 2017, Akron rated 10th nationally in attendance averaging 2,147 and 1,819 fans per contest, respectively.

TRAPP AND YEDLIN NAMED TO USMNT ROSTER
A pair of former Zips in Wil Trapp and DeAndre Yedlin have been named to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for upcoming friendlies versus Brazil and Mexico on Sept. 7 and Sept. 11, respectively, in East Rutherford, N.J., and Nashville, Tenn.

YEDLIN NETS FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL
Former Akron All-American DeAndre Yedlin scored his first Premier League goal with a 30th-minute strike in Newcastle United's match versus reigning champions Manchester City on Sept. 1.

FORMER ZIP NAJEM EARNS FIRST INTERNATIONAL CAP
Former Zips' All-American Adam Najem garnered his first international cap playing for Afghanistan, the country of his father's birth, in a friendly versus Palestine in Kabul on Aug. 19.

A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Sept. 5) (.800), with an overall record of 190-37-28. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 171-45-36 (.750), North Carolina, 164-49-35 (.732), Creighton, 167-57-24 (.722) and Wake Forest, 152-49-33 (.720). 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 closes its two-match road swing squaring off versus No. 9 Washington on Sunday, Sept. 9. The 7:30 p.m. ET contest will be streamed on the Pac-12 Network. A valid cable/satellite subscription will be required to view the match on the Pac-12 Network as no per-match options to watch the contest are currently available.