Akron Faces Western Michigan in Battle of MAC Leaders

Sunday, October 20

Kalamazoo, Mich.

2:00 PM

University of Akron

Western Michigan

Akron at Westen Michigan MSOC - 10/19/19

Akron Faces Western Michigan in Battle of MAC Leaders

October 19 | Men's Soccer

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MATCH NO. 13 - AKRON AT WESTERN MICHIGAN GAME NOTES (10/20)

Akron (3-8-1, 1-0-0 MAC) at Western Michigan (9-4-0, 1-0-0 MAC)
Sunday, Oct. 20
WMU Soccer Complex
Kalamazoo, Mich. • 2 p.m.

Series History: Akron leads 37-4-3
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: www.gozips.com
Television: www.gozips.com

MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK

WHAT'S AHEAD

The University of Akron men's soccer team is set for a rematch of the title game of the 2018 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Sunday, Oct. 20, when the Zips travel to Kalamazoo, Mich., for a 2 p.m. tilt.

SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan comes into play against the Zips having won its last five matches following a 2-1 victory at Michigan on Thursday, Oct. 16. Freshman Charlie Sharp leads the Broncos in goals (6), points (13), shots on goal (16) and game-winners (3), while ranking third in total shots (22). Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Isaac Walker has recorded 34 saves en route to posting four shutouts on the strength of a 0.89 goals against average.

As a team, the Broncos are ranked ninth in the NCAA in shots on goal (6.85), 14th in assists per contest (2.15) and total assists (28), 18th in points per game (6.46), 19th in total points (84), 21st in total goals (28), 22nd in scoring offense (2.15), 26th in shutout percentage (.385), 43rd in winning percentage (.692) and 46th in goals against average (.982).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Western Michigan are squaring off for 45th time in program history with the Zips owning a 37-4-3 series advantage. The two teams battled for the 2018 Mid-American Conference Tournament title on Nov. 11, 2018 in Morgantown, W.Va., with the Zips earning a 3-0 victory past the Broncos. Earlier in the season, the scheduled match between Akron and Western Michigan was cancelled when an on-campus power outage prevented the contest from being play at FirstEnergy Stadium on Nov. 3, 2018.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 11, 2018 - MORGANTOWN, W.VA.)
Sparked by three-second half goals, including a pair from Marcel Zajac, the University of Akron men's soccer team captured its 15th Mid-American Conference Tournament title and 33rd NCAA Tournament berth with a 3-0 victory over Western Michigan in the championship match of the MAC Tournament on Nov. 11, 2018, at Dick Dlesk Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va.

Zajac was selected as the Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Ezana Kahsay, Abdi Mohamed and sophomore Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) rounded out the all-tournament field for the Zips.

Akron outshot Western Michigan on the afternoon, 17-10, including 11-2 on goal. The Zips received a game-high three shots apiece from junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria), senior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), Mohamed and Zajac. Anthony Bowie led the Broncos with a team-best three shots.

Goalkeeper Ben Lundt earned the shutout with a two-save performance, while Western Michigan goalkeeper Lukas Von Lienen made eight stops for the Broncos.

Locked in a scoreless affair at halftime, the Zips continued their aggressive offensive attack to begin the second half and were rewarded when Egbo scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 65th minute (64:32). Sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio) served a ball into the box off a corner kick that Marco Micaletto flicked to a charging Egbo, who found the back of the net.

The Broncos recorded their only shots on goal on the afternoon at the 65:24 and 68:42 marks, respectively, both were unrewarded after saves by Lundt.

Sparked by stout defensive play the entire match from sophomores Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain), Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and Ritaccio, along with Mohamed, junior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) and Lundt, the Zips continued to deny scoring chances from the Broncos.

Akron extended its advantage to 2-0 at the 84:53 mark when Zajac delivered a goal. Setting up the tally with a pair of strong passes for assists was Micaletto and Mohamed.

Zajac capped the scoring efforts scoring an empty-net tally in the 88th minute (87:49) to complete his second career multiple-goal. Earning the assist on the goal was Kahsay.

Mohamed recorded Akron's first two shots of the game at the 4:46 and 14:24 marks, respectively, both attempts were saved by Von Lienen.

Harter nearly floated a shot from the top of the box into the net but an upward lunging Von Lienen deflected the ball out for the save.

Zajac recorded a shot on goal in the 19th minute (18:08) that was pulled in for the save before Biros had his strike on goal at the 28:50 mark denied with a save.

The Zips nearly garnered the first goal of the afternoon in the 35th minute as Harter's shot in the box was blocked before Micaletto rocketed the deflection towards net, only to see his attempted thwarted with a save.

Mohamed concluded the opening half with a shot on goal at the 43:10 mark, one that was saved by Von Lienen.

Akron posted a 13-3 advantage in shots in the opening stanza, including 7-0 on goal.

THE COACHES
Western Michigan: Chad Wiseman is in his seventh season as head coach of the Western Michigan program, owning a 74-40-17 (.630) record. Overall in 10 years as a head coach he maintains a 127-65-23 (.644) mark.
Akron: In his seventh year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 13th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 97-38-14 mark (.698), including 144-59-22 (.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 97-38-14 (.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 97 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 207-51-30 (.771), including a 57-6-4 (.881) 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.

AKRON POSTS 2-0 VICTORY PAST MICHIGAN STATE
The University of Akron men's soccer team garnered goals from freshman Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) and David Egbo en route to notching a 2-0 victory over Michigan State on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Jackson scored what proved to be the game-winning tally in the 38th minute (37:08), while Egbo delivered a spectacular goal from 37 yards out, his team-leading fourth of the season, at the 56:06 mark.

The Zips earned their second shutout of the season on the strength of a 14-10 advantage in shots on the evening, including a 5-1 edge on shots on goal.
Egbo and Jackson directed the Akron offensive attack recording four and three shots, respectively, while Daniel Strachan and freshman Mani Austmann (Gardabaer, Iceland) added two shots apiece. Leading the charge for Michigan State with a team-high three shots was Farai Mutatu.

Earning his second clean sheet in only five games in net for the Zips was junior Joe Bowles (Stratford, England), who finished the contest making one save. Hunter Morse concluded the evening with three stops in goal for the Spartans.

The match began as a defensive battle as neither side yielded a shot until Jackson narrowly missed giving Akron an early 1-0 lead at the 10:12 mark with a strike off a pass from senior Christian Lue Young (Plantation, Fla.) that just missed finding the corner of the net.

Bowles denied the lone shot on goal for the Spartans in the tilt, a shot by Connor George in the 25th minute (24:46).

The game-winning tally was set-up by a strong feed by Egbo into the box to Jackson at the 37:06 mark, one resulting in a shot that was deflected by Morse for a save. Jackson immediately corralled the rebound and struck a laser that found the top of the net for his second goal of the season.

Freshman Henrique Cruz (Fortaleza, Brazil) leveled a shot from inside the top of the box in the 41st minute (40:50) that only a diving save by Morse prevented his first collegiate goal from finding the back of the net..

The Zips registered a 6-4 edge in first-half shots, including a 3-1 margin in shots on goal.

Egbo came within inches of netting an Akron goal at the 50:37 mark getting behind Morse and striking a ball that pinged off the post before being cleared out of danger by the Spartans' defense.

The Zips continued to assault Michigan State's defensive third as Akron registered four consecutive corners at the 53:53, 54:18, 54:52 and 55:11 marks, respectively.

The effort was rewarded as Egbo connected on a perfectly-placed shot from 30 yards out in the 57th minute (56:06) that found the top of the net to extend the Zips' lead to 2-0.

Skye Harter delivered Akron's final shot on net on the evening at the 78:08 mark, an attempt that was denied by a save from Morse.

Keying the Zips' victory was the play of its defensive line of Lue Young, Pol Hernandez, Marco Milanese and Carlo Ritaccio and anchored by Bowles.

JACKSON GARNERS MID-SEASON FRESHMAN HONORS
The accolades continue to be bestowed upon the Akron men's soccer program as Will Jackson garnered recognition on TopDrawerSoccer.com's list of the top-100 freshmen in college soccer this season checking in at No. 90.

Jackson has started all 11 games he has appeared in for Akron this fall and leads the squad in assists (2) and game-winers (2), while ranking second in goals (2), points (6), shots (24) and shots on goal (12).

EGBO EARNS SC TOP 10 RECOGNITION
David Egbo's second-half goal in a 2-0 win over Michigan State on Oct. 15 was tabbed as the No. 1 play on ESPN Sports Center's Top 10 Plays.

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 75-14-9 (.811) ledger in the month, including a 40-6-4 (.840) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.

ZIPS TIDBITS
• Akron's match at Western Michigan marks Jared Embick's 150th game as head coach of the Zips.
• The Zips and Broncos have developed a rivalry in recent series history. In addition to their annual regular season encounter, the squads have met in the postseason in five of the last six campaigns.
• Twenty-seven of the meetings between Akron and Western Michigan have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 23-2-1 mark in those contests.
• Will Jackson made the most of his Mid-American Conference debut versus Bowling Green on Oct. 12 as he posted his first collegiate goal, a game-winner, while also tallying an assist on Diogo Pacheco's first-half goal.
• On the strength of his efforts against the Falcons, Will Jackson leads the MAC in assists per game (1.00), goals per outing (1.00), game-winning goals (1) and points per tilt (3.00) per game in conference-only matches, while also ranking second in shots per game (4.00).
• Three Zips are atop the league statistical categories for conference-only matches as Pol Hernandez is first in assists per game (1.00), Diogo Pacheco is atop goals per game (1.00) and Joe Bowles paces the MAC in goals against average (1.00).
• The NCAA released its initial men's soccer RPI report on Monday, Oct. 14 and the Zips (No. 103) face upcoming road tests at No. 31 Western Michigan (Oct. 20) and No. 67 West Virginia (Nov. 7), as well as a home match against No. 76 SIU Edwardsville (Oct. 25).
• Akron registered a season-best 22 shots against Florida International on Oct. 5, while freshmen Will Jackson and Mani Austmann established career-high marks in shots recording six and five, respectively. Jackson's six strikes stand as the top single-game mark for a Zip in 2019.
• Five different Zips have garnered their first-ever collegiate goals this season. Will Jackson was the latest to join the group with a second-half goal against Bowling Green on Oct. 12. Daniel Strachan and Sam Tojaga tallied goals against VCU (Oct. 2). They join Christian Lue Young and Mani Austmann, who recorded goals versus Creighton (Sept. 6) and Marshall (Sept. 21), respectively.
• David Egbo recorded his 100th career shot in the Zips' 2-0 win over VCU on Oct. 2.
• Nine different Akron players have earned an assist this season.
• The Zips own the 15th-best strength of schedule in the country in 2019 according to RPI Update.
• Akron has also faced the 16th-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 top-100 teams in the latest RPI Update rankings. Akron faces a road tests at No. 36 Western Michigan (Oct. 20), No. 73 West Virginia (Nov. 7) and No. 100 Cleveland State (Oct. 29), while also battling No. 80 SIU Edwardsville (Oct. 25) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked second in the MAC in shots per contest (2.75) 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-four Zips have seen action this season, including 11 newcomers.
• Eighteen different Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 11th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.92).
• Skye Harter enters play against Western Michigan among the active NCAA leaders in assists and games played. He is rated eighth in games played (73) and 29th in assists (16) among Division I players.
• Will Jackson has paced a talented core of freshmen for Akron this season leading the newcomers in goals (2), assists (2), points (6), shots (24), shots on goal (12) and game-winners (2).
• Seven Akron newcomers have garnered a start in the Zips' initial 12 contests this season. Will Jackson has recorded 11 starts, while owning six each are Henrique Cruz and Mani Austmann. Joe Bowles, freshmen Bradley Chick (Melbourne, Australia), senior Tom Smart (Birmingham, England), and freshman Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.) have posted five, four, two and two starts, respectively.
• Four different Zips in Christian Lue Young and Tom Smart and Mani Austmann and Will Jackson earned their first-ever Akron starts versus Xavier.
• Four additional newcomers in sophomore Federico Serra (Cagliari, Italy) and Bradley Chick, Henrique Cruz and freshman Jaden Wright (Lorain, Ohio) made their Zips' debuts against Xavier, while freshman Nicolas Alt (Basel, Switzerland) saw his first collegiate playing time versus Florida International (Oct. 5).
• David Egbo is Akron's active career leaders in goals (18), points (46), shots (109), shots on goal (45) and game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (17) and games played (73).
• The Zips own a 97-38-14 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 97 wins are ranked second in all of Division I.

UP NEXT
The Zips host SIU Edwardsville on Friday, Oct. 25, in a 7 p.m. match at FirstEnergy Stadium.