The University of Akron Athletics
Wednesday, October 2
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
VCU
Zips Open October Men's Soccer Slate Hosting VCU
October 01 | Men's Soccer
Follow Akron Men's Soccer on Twitter and Facebook
Â
Purchase 2019 Men's Soccer Season and Single-Game Tickets Click Here
Â
MATCH NO. 8 - AKRON VS. VCU GAME NOTES (10/2)
Akron (0-7-0) vs. VCU (3-4-1)
Wednesday, Oct. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 2-1-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3
Television: ESPN3 (Dave Bacon - pxp and Dino Campellone - color)
Radio: WARF 1350 AM (Steve French - pxp and Oliver Slawson - color)
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
Â
AKRON VERSUS THE ATLANTIC-10 CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Atlantic 10 Conference for first time this season and the 39th time in program history.
• A year ago, Akron registered a 4-3 overtime victory at VCU on Sept. 26, 2018.
• In all, the Zips are 23-11-4 (.649) versus teams from the Atlantic 10 Conference.
SCOUTING VCU
Unbeaten in its last three matches, VCU comes into action versus Akron on the strength of a 4-3 overtime victory past St. Joseph's on Saturday, Sept. 28. Redshirt junior Biska Biyombo leads the offensive exploits for the Rams owning team-high marks in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6), while ranking second in shots on goal (6) and fourth in shots (11). Junior goalkeeper Mario Sequeira has recorded 30 saves en route to posting one shutout on the strength of a 1.32 goals against average.
The contest will be a reunion of sorts for VCU head coach Dave Giffard, who served as an assistant coach at Akron under head coach Caleb Porter from 2006-09.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting VCU for the fifth time in program history with Akron leading the series, 2-1-1. A golden goal in overtime from redshirt junior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) lifted the Zips to a 4-3 road victory past the Rams on Sept. 26, 2018. In the last encounter between the two programs in Akron, the Zips and VCU battled to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 27, 2016.
Â
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 26, 2018 - RICHMOND, VA.)
Diogo Pacheco netted a golden goal in the 94th minute (93:55) to propel the Zips to a come-from-behind 4-3 overtime triumph past VCU on the strength of his first career hat trick on Sept. 26, 2018 in Richmond, Va.
Pacheco garnered the game-winning tally off a pair of assists from Morgan Hackworth and Marcel Zajac. Hackworth headed a ball in the box wide to Zajac, who redirected the ball back into the box to Pacheco, who found the corner of the net.
The Zips posted a 15-9 advantage in shots in the match, including a 6-4 margin in shots on goal. Junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) and Ezana Kahsay each recorded a game-high four shots for Akron, while Pacheco scored a goal on each of his three shots. Jared Greene led the Rams with a team-high two shots.
The Zips dominated the attack in the opening stanza outshooting the Rams by an 8-3 margin, while garnering an 8-1 margin in corner kicks.
Despite the advantage, VCU cracked the scoring column first in the affair when Greene connected on a goal off an assist from Simon Fitch at the 26:43 mark.
Sophomore Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) leveled the score at one in the 40th minute (39:49) striking a header into the back of the net off a corner kick from sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio). The tally marked the first collegiate goal and assist for Milanese and Biros, respectively.
The lead was short-lived as Travis Cooke found the back of the net at the 40:49 mark to send the Rams into the intermission holding a 2-1 lead.
Kahsay and Egbo paced Akron with three and two first-half shots, respectively.
Off a free kick in the 50th minute (49:59) Egbo served a ball into the box that narrowly missed finding the top of the net as it pinged off the crossbar.
Pacheco netted the equalizer knocking in the goal on a ball served into the box off a corner kick from senior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) at the 67:15 mark.
A mere 10 seconds later at the 67:25 mark, Pacheco struck again giving the Zips a 3-2 lead with his second goal of the evening. Sophomore Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) knocked a ball to Pacheco off a collision with the VCU defender.
The Zips continued to play strong defensively before Peter Pearson redirected a defensive deflection off of a free kick into the back of the net in the 89th minute (88:31) to square the contest at three.
Akron capped the comeback with Pacheco's game-winner at the 93:55 mark on the Zips' lone shot in overtime.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made one stop for Akron, while Mario Sequeira collected two saves for the Rams.
THE COACHES
VCU: Dave Giffard is in his 10th season as head coach of the VCU program, owning an 89-70-29 (.551) record. From 2006-09 he served as an assistant coach at Akron under head coach Caleb Porter.
Akron: In his seventh year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 13th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 94-37-13 mark (.698), including 141-58-21 (.689) overall, in his 11th 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 2019 campaign marks his seventh year leading the Zips having registered a 94-37-13 (.698) ledger after posting an 15-7-2 record en route to earning the program's second consecutive and sixth overall College Cup berth in 2018. Akron's 94 victories since Embick took the helm of the Zips' program in 2013 rank second among all men's soccer programs in Division I.
During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 204-50-29 (.772), 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 three 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. Akron's 2018 class was tabbed No. 9 nationally.
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.
CORNELL BESTS ZIPS IN 2OT, 3-2
Ryan Bayne's golden goal in the 102nd minute (101:59) propelled Cornell to a 3-2 double-overtime men's soccer triumph past the Akron on Saturday, Sept. 28, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The game-winning tally came on a header off a corner kick served into the box from Harry Fuller.
The final shot of the match provided the Big Red with a 13-12 overall edge in shots on the evening, including an 8-3 margin in shots on goal.
Diogo Pacheco and David Egbo contributed keys minutes in reserve duty for the Zips and paced Akron with four and two shots, respectively. George Pedlow led Cornell with a team-high three shots, all on frame, to spark the Big Red to the victory.
In his first career start for the Zips, junior goalkeeper Joe Bowles (Stratford, England) made three saves for Akron, while Ryan Shellow was credited with a pair of stops for Cornell.
The opening minutes of the match proved to be a defensive battle as neither side posted a shot until Pedlow's strike at the 21:39 mark was saved by Bowles.
Sophomore Federico Serra (Cagliari, Italy) had a quality scoring chance for the Zips in the 31st minute (30:28), one that sailed high of the net.
Brandon Morales gave the Big Red a 1-0 lead at the 36:43 mark as he finished a give-and-go off a pair of passes from Griffin Garrard and Connor Drought.
Cornell took a 1-0 advantage into the intermission as each side posted a pair of first-half shots.
Inserted into the line-up to start the final stanza, Egbo netted the equalizer for the Zips in the 50th minute (49:23) with a nifty backwards header inside the six-yard box off an assist from the corner by sophomore Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain). The goal was Egbo's team-leading second of the season.
Pacheco nearly gave Akron a 2-1 lead at the 57:08 mark as his shot off a pass from Colin Biros was pulled in for a save by Shellow.
Just over two minutes later in the 60th minute (59:25), Bowles made a save of his own off a strike from Emeka Eneli. He then added a stop of Pedlow's strike at the 67:15 mark to preserve the 1-1 contest.
Cornell assumed a 2-1 advantage in the 70th minute (69:46) off an own goal knocked in by the Akron defender.
Pedlow was again thwarted by a Bowles' save at the 82:08 mark.
Marco Milanese leveled the match at two in the 85th minute (84:11) redirecting the deflection off of a shot in the box from freshman Mani Austmann (Gardabear, Iceland) for his first goal of the season. The equalizer was set-up by a corner kick by Biros, one that resulted in a blocked shot by Austmann.
The Zips had shots down the stretch, but were unable to convert on their chances in regulation.
Akron narrowly avoided a last-minute setback as Morales got a 1v1 scoring chance with Bowles before seeing his shot with 20 seconds to play hit the side of the net.
The Big Red posted a 3-1 margin in shots in the initial overtime period, with Akron's best scoring opportunity coming off a header by Egbo at the 97:03 mark.
Cornell then walked it off the pitch with a header for Bayne in the 102nd minute (101:59) off a corner kick from Fuller.
HARTER NAMED CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Akron senior Skye Harter was selected as one of 30 men's soccer candidates for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate soccer. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Harter has appeared in six contests for the Zips this season, including three starts, and has registered four shots, with a pair coming on goal.
Outside of academics and athletics, all candidates also have been consistently involved in community service on their campus or in their communities.
The men's class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2019 NCAA Men's and Women's College Cup® championships in December.
ZIPS TO HOST ALUMNI GATHERING
The University of Akron men's soccer program will welcome back its legendary alumni for a special evening celebrating the Zips' success on Friday, Oct. 11.
The evening will feature a beer and food-tasting opportunity from 7-10 p.m. at the Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Akron, Ohio (529 Grant Street, Akron, Ohio 44311).
Space for this special evening of memories is limited and the cost is $65 per person. For more information on the securing your seat to this unique and intimate event, please register online at www.uakron.edu/giving/soccer65, text Soccer65 to 41444 or contact George Van Horne at the University of Akron Athletics Development office at (330) 972-8255.
The event will mark the start of a memorable weekend for the Zips as the 2009 men's soccer team will be honored as part of the 45th Annual Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies on Oct. 12.
Â
EMBICK TO BE ENSHRINED IN GRANITE CITY SPORTS HOF
The Granite City Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2019 and University of Akron head men's soccer coach Jared Embick will be among 17 individuals and five teams inducted into the prestigious class on Nov. 8, 2019.
OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent successes of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 13 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 72-13-8 (.817) ledger in the month, including a 37-6-3 (.837) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• The Zips own the 18th-best strength of schedule in the country in 2019 according to RPI Update.
• Akron has also faced the 25th-most difficult schedule in the NCAA this season as tabulated by NCAA.com, as well as the most-challenging ledger in the MAC.
• The Zips face upcoming tests versus a trio of top-50 teams in the latest RPI Update rankings. Akron hosts No. 26 Florida International (Oct. 5), while facing road tests at No. 33 West Virginia (Nov. 7) and No. 44 Butler (Oct. 8). Additionally, the Zips battle No. 73 Bowling Green (Oct. 12), No. 87 Cleveland State (Oct. 29) and No. 100 Western Michigan (Oct. 20).
• For the second consecutive season and only the third time overall since joining the MAC in 1993, the Zips played only two home matches in the month of September (2018, 1996).
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked second in the Mid-American Conference in shots per contest (3.17) after equaling a career-best mark with a five-shot effort at Maryland on Sept. 13. A year ago, he posted five strikes, including a career-high three shots on goal versus Syracuse on Oct. 18, 2018. He also played a career-best 90 minutes against the Terrapins.
• Twenty-one Zips have seen action this season, including nine newcomers.
• Sixteen different Zips have registered a shot this season, including five newcomers.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 50th in the NCAA in corner kicks (5.71).
• Skye Harter enters play against VCU among the active NCAA leaders in assists and games played. He is rated sixth in games played (70) and 19th in assists (16) among Division I players, while ranking35th overall, across all divisions, in games played.
FORMER ZIPS EYEING BERTHS INTO MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Six former Zips have seen their respective MLS clubs earn a berth into the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs with Decision Day slated for Sunday, Oct. 6. In the Eastern Conference, Teal Bunbury (New England), Scott Caldwell (New England), Richie Laryea (Toronto) and Darlington Nagbe (Atlanta) have secured a postseason berth. In the Western Conference, Perry Kitchen (Los Angeles) and Saad Abdul-Salaam (Seattle) has locked down spots, while Jonathan Lewis (Colorado), Dillon Serna (Colorado) and Zarek Valetin (Portland) remain in contention for the final two conference berths.
KAHSAY EARNS FIRST INTERNATIONAL CAP
Ezana Kahsay, who played for the Zips from 2013-18, earned his first international cap for the Eritrea National Team in September. The Red Sea Boys fell in the opening leg of FIFA World Cup qualifying versus Namibia on Sept. 4, 2-1, before dropping a 2-0 decision in the second leg on Sept. 10.
UP NEXT
Akron welcomes No. 13 Florida International to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. match on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Â
Purchase 2019 Men's Soccer Season and Single-Game Tickets Click Here
Â
MATCH NO. 8 - AKRON VS. VCU GAME NOTES (10/2)
Akron (0-7-0) vs. VCU (3-4-1)
Wednesday, Oct. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 2-1-1
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN3
Television: ESPN3 (Dave Bacon - pxp and Dino Campellone - color)
Radio: WARF 1350 AM (Steve French - pxp and Oliver Slawson - color)
MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron men's soccer team continues its three-match homestand opening the month of October welcoming VCU to FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The 7 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the ESPN app with Dave Bacon and Dino Campellone calling the action. The match will also air on Fox Sports Radio (WARF 1350 AM) with Steve French and Oliver Slawson on the call.AKRON VERSUS THE ATLANTIC-10 CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Atlantic 10 Conference for first time this season and the 39th time in program history.
• A year ago, Akron registered a 4-3 overtime victory at VCU on Sept. 26, 2018.
• In all, the Zips are 23-11-4 (.649) versus teams from the Atlantic 10 Conference.
SCOUTING VCU
Unbeaten in its last three matches, VCU comes into action versus Akron on the strength of a 4-3 overtime victory past St. Joseph's on Saturday, Sept. 28. Redshirt junior Biska Biyombo leads the offensive exploits for the Rams owning team-high marks in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6), while ranking second in shots on goal (6) and fourth in shots (11). Junior goalkeeper Mario Sequeira has recorded 30 saves en route to posting one shutout on the strength of a 1.32 goals against average.
The contest will be a reunion of sorts for VCU head coach Dave Giffard, who served as an assistant coach at Akron under head coach Caleb Porter from 2006-09.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting VCU for the fifth time in program history with Akron leading the series, 2-1-1. A golden goal in overtime from redshirt junior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) lifted the Zips to a 4-3 road victory past the Rams on Sept. 26, 2018. In the last encounter between the two programs in Akron, the Zips and VCU battled to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 27, 2016.
Â
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 26, 2018 - RICHMOND, VA.)
Diogo Pacheco netted a golden goal in the 94th minute (93:55) to propel the Zips to a come-from-behind 4-3 overtime triumph past VCU on the strength of his first career hat trick on Sept. 26, 2018 in Richmond, Va.
Pacheco garnered the game-winning tally off a pair of assists from Morgan Hackworth and Marcel Zajac. Hackworth headed a ball in the box wide to Zajac, who redirected the ball back into the box to Pacheco, who found the corner of the net.
The Zips posted a 15-9 advantage in shots in the match, including a 6-4 margin in shots on goal. Junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) and Ezana Kahsay each recorded a game-high four shots for Akron, while Pacheco scored a goal on each of his three shots. Jared Greene led the Rams with a team-high two shots.
The Zips dominated the attack in the opening stanza outshooting the Rams by an 8-3 margin, while garnering an 8-1 margin in corner kicks.
Despite the advantage, VCU cracked the scoring column first in the affair when Greene connected on a goal off an assist from Simon Fitch at the 26:43 mark.
Sophomore Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) leveled the score at one in the 40th minute (39:49) striking a header into the back of the net off a corner kick from sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio). The tally marked the first collegiate goal and assist for Milanese and Biros, respectively.
The lead was short-lived as Travis Cooke found the back of the net at the 40:49 mark to send the Rams into the intermission holding a 2-1 lead.
Kahsay and Egbo paced Akron with three and two first-half shots, respectively.
Off a free kick in the 50th minute (49:59) Egbo served a ball into the box that narrowly missed finding the top of the net as it pinged off the crossbar.
Pacheco netted the equalizer knocking in the goal on a ball served into the box off a corner kick from senior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) at the 67:15 mark.
A mere 10 seconds later at the 67:25 mark, Pacheco struck again giving the Zips a 3-2 lead with his second goal of the evening. Sophomore Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) knocked a ball to Pacheco off a collision with the VCU defender.
The Zips continued to play strong defensively before Peter Pearson redirected a defensive deflection off of a free kick into the back of the net in the 89th minute (88:31) to square the contest at three.
Akron capped the comeback with Pacheco's game-winner at the 93:55 mark on the Zips' lone shot in overtime.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made one stop for Akron, while Mario Sequeira collected two saves for the Rams.
THE COACHES
VCU: Dave Giffard is in his 10th season as head coach of the VCU program, owning an 89-70-29 (.551) record. From 2006-09 he served as an assistant coach at Akron under head coach Caleb Porter.
Akron: In his seventh year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 13th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 94-37-13 mark (.698), including 141-58-21 (.689) overall, in his 11th 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 2019 campaign marks his seventh year leading the Zips having registered a 94-37-13 (.698) ledger after posting an 15-7-2 record en route to earning the program's second consecutive and sixth overall College Cup berth in 2018. Akron's 94 victories since Embick took the helm of the Zips' program in 2013 rank second among all men's soccer programs in Division I.
During Embick's time at Akron, the Zips have posted the highest winning percentage in the nation with an overall record of 204-50-29 (.772), 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 three 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. Akron's 2018 class was tabbed No. 9 nationally.
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.
CORNELL BESTS ZIPS IN 2OT, 3-2
Ryan Bayne's golden goal in the 102nd minute (101:59) propelled Cornell to a 3-2 double-overtime men's soccer triumph past the Akron on Saturday, Sept. 28, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The game-winning tally came on a header off a corner kick served into the box from Harry Fuller.
The final shot of the match provided the Big Red with a 13-12 overall edge in shots on the evening, including an 8-3 margin in shots on goal.
Diogo Pacheco and David Egbo contributed keys minutes in reserve duty for the Zips and paced Akron with four and two shots, respectively. George Pedlow led Cornell with a team-high three shots, all on frame, to spark the Big Red to the victory.
In his first career start for the Zips, junior goalkeeper Joe Bowles (Stratford, England) made three saves for Akron, while Ryan Shellow was credited with a pair of stops for Cornell.
The opening minutes of the match proved to be a defensive battle as neither side posted a shot until Pedlow's strike at the 21:39 mark was saved by Bowles.
Sophomore Federico Serra (Cagliari, Italy) had a quality scoring chance for the Zips in the 31st minute (30:28), one that sailed high of the net.
Brandon Morales gave the Big Red a 1-0 lead at the 36:43 mark as he finished a give-and-go off a pair of passes from Griffin Garrard and Connor Drought.
Cornell took a 1-0 advantage into the intermission as each side posted a pair of first-half shots.
Inserted into the line-up to start the final stanza, Egbo netted the equalizer for the Zips in the 50th minute (49:23) with a nifty backwards header inside the six-yard box off an assist from the corner by sophomore Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain). The goal was Egbo's team-leading second of the season.
Pacheco nearly gave Akron a 2-1 lead at the 57:08 mark as his shot off a pass from Colin Biros was pulled in for a save by Shellow.
Just over two minutes later in the 60th minute (59:25), Bowles made a save of his own off a strike from Emeka Eneli. He then added a stop of Pedlow's strike at the 67:15 mark to preserve the 1-1 contest.
Cornell assumed a 2-1 advantage in the 70th minute (69:46) off an own goal knocked in by the Akron defender.
Pedlow was again thwarted by a Bowles' save at the 82:08 mark.
Marco Milanese leveled the match at two in the 85th minute (84:11) redirecting the deflection off of a shot in the box from freshman Mani Austmann (Gardabear, Iceland) for his first goal of the season. The equalizer was set-up by a corner kick by Biros, one that resulted in a blocked shot by Austmann.
The Zips had shots down the stretch, but were unable to convert on their chances in regulation.
Akron narrowly avoided a last-minute setback as Morales got a 1v1 scoring chance with Bowles before seeing his shot with 20 seconds to play hit the side of the net.
The Big Red posted a 3-1 margin in shots in the initial overtime period, with Akron's best scoring opportunity coming off a header by Egbo at the 97:03 mark.
Cornell then walked it off the pitch with a header for Bayne in the 102nd minute (101:59) off a corner kick from Fuller.
HARTER NAMED CANDIDATE FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD
Akron senior Skye Harter was selected as one of 30 men's soccer candidates for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate soccer. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Harter has appeared in six contests for the Zips this season, including three starts, and has registered four shots, with a pair coming on goal.
Outside of academics and athletics, all candidates also have been consistently involved in community service on their campus or in their communities.
The men's class will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2019 NCAA Men's and Women's College Cup® championships in December.
ZIPS TO HOST ALUMNI GATHERING
The University of Akron men's soccer program will welcome back its legendary alumni for a special evening celebrating the Zips' success on Friday, Oct. 11.
The evening will feature a beer and food-tasting opportunity from 7-10 p.m. at the Thirsty Dog Brewing Company in Akron, Ohio (529 Grant Street, Akron, Ohio 44311).
Space for this special evening of memories is limited and the cost is $65 per person. For more information on the securing your seat to this unique and intimate event, please register online at www.uakron.edu/giving/soccer65, text Soccer65 to 41444 or contact George Van Horne at the University of Akron Athletics Development office at (330) 972-8255.
The event will mark the start of a memorable weekend for the Zips as the 2009 men's soccer team will be honored as part of the 45th Annual Varsity "A" Sports Hall of Fame ceremonies on Oct. 12.
Â
EMBICK TO BE ENSHRINED IN GRANITE CITY SPORTS HOF
The Granite City Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2019 and University of Akron head men's soccer coach Jared Embick will be among 17 individuals and five teams inducted into the prestigious class on Nov. 8, 2019.
OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent successes of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 13 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 72-13-8 (.817) ledger in the month, including a 37-6-3 (.837) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• The Zips own the 18th-best strength of schedule in the country in 2019 according to RPI Update.
• Akron has also faced the 25th-most difficult schedule in the NCAA this season as tabulated by NCAA.com, as well as the most-challenging ledger in the MAC.
• The Zips face upcoming tests versus a trio of top-50 teams in the latest RPI Update rankings. Akron hosts No. 26 Florida International (Oct. 5), while facing road tests at No. 33 West Virginia (Nov. 7) and No. 44 Butler (Oct. 8). Additionally, the Zips battle No. 73 Bowling Green (Oct. 12), No. 87 Cleveland State (Oct. 29) and No. 100 Western Michigan (Oct. 20).
• For the second consecutive season and only the third time overall since joining the MAC in 1993, the Zips played only two home matches in the month of September (2018, 1996).
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked second in the Mid-American Conference in shots per contest (3.17) after equaling a career-best mark with a five-shot effort at Maryland on Sept. 13. A year ago, he posted five strikes, including a career-high three shots on goal versus Syracuse on Oct. 18, 2018. He also played a career-best 90 minutes against the Terrapins.
• Twenty-one Zips have seen action this season, including nine newcomers.
• Sixteen different Zips have registered a shot this season, including five newcomers.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 50th in the NCAA in corner kicks (5.71).
• Skye Harter enters play against VCU among the active NCAA leaders in assists and games played. He is rated sixth in games played (70) and 19th in assists (16) among Division I players, while ranking35th overall, across all divisions, in games played.
FORMER ZIPS EYEING BERTHS INTO MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
Six former Zips have seen their respective MLS clubs earn a berth into the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs with Decision Day slated for Sunday, Oct. 6. In the Eastern Conference, Teal Bunbury (New England), Scott Caldwell (New England), Richie Laryea (Toronto) and Darlington Nagbe (Atlanta) have secured a postseason berth. In the Western Conference, Perry Kitchen (Los Angeles) and Saad Abdul-Salaam (Seattle) has locked down spots, while Jonathan Lewis (Colorado), Dillon Serna (Colorado) and Zarek Valetin (Portland) remain in contention for the final two conference berths.
KAHSAY EARNS FIRST INTERNATIONAL CAP
Ezana Kahsay, who played for the Zips from 2013-18, earned his first international cap for the Eritrea National Team in September. The Red Sea Boys fell in the opening leg of FIFA World Cup qualifying versus Namibia on Sept. 4, 2-1, before dropping a 2-0 decision in the second leg on Sept. 10.
UP NEXT
Akron welcomes No. 13 Florida International to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. match on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. St. John's - 10/3/25
Saturday, October 04
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Saint Louis - 9/23/25
Wednesday, September 24
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. UConn - 9/19/25
Saturday, September 20
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Comments at Vermont - 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
