The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Punches the Win Column with a 2-0 Victory Over VCU
October 02 | Men's Soccer
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BOXSCORE | POST-GAME COMMENTS | PHOTO GALLERY
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AKRON, Ohio - Sparked by the first career goals from junior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) and sophomore Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), the University of Akron men's soccer team cracked the win column with a 2-0 victory over VCU (3-5-1) on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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The Zips (1-7) turned in a dominant performance in the match on the strength of registering a 17-8 edge in shots, including a 6-2 margin in shots on frame.
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Strachan posted career- and game-high marks in shots (4) and shots on goal (2) for Akron in the match, while junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) matched his four-shot performance, and Tojaga added a pair of shots to the Zips' offensive attack. Ryo Shimazaki and Fortia Miunts directed the Rams' offense with a team-best two shots each.
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Junior goalkeeper Joe Bowles (Stratford, England) registered his first career clean sheet with the Zips posting a pair of saves in only his second career start. Mario Sequeira corralled a trio of stops for VCU.
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Bowles made a save on the initial shot of the evening off the foot of Shimazaki in the third minute (2:15) on the tilt.
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The Zips netted what proved to be the game-winning goal at the 9:29 mark when Strachan knocked in his first goal of the season off a beautifully delivered corner kick from sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio).
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Akron saw its next three shots of the half blocked, before Tojaga found the back of net in the 27th minute (26:43) off an assist from Egbo to extend the Zips' lead to 2-0.
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Akron entered the intermission maintaining a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard on the strength of an 8-4 edge in shots in the opening stanza, including a 2-1 margin on frame.
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Strachan delivered his second strike on net for the Zips at the 63:05 mark, one that was thwarted by a save from Sequeira.
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Egbo nearly stretched Akron's lead to 3-0 in the 69th minute (68:25) as his laser was deflected out of bounds for a save by a diving Sequeira.
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Bowles kept the shutout intact for the Zips with a save at the 70:00 mark off a shot by Fiorre Mane.
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Only a team save with a clearance off the goal line by the VCU defender in the 81st minute (80:42) prevented freshman Mani Austmann (Gardabaer, Iceland) from scoring his second tally of the year.
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Egbo added one final strike on net for the Zips at the 88:21 mark, a shot that was pulled in for a save by Sequeira.
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Akron concludes its three-match homestand with a 7 p.m. tilt versus No. 13 Florida International on Saturday, Oct. 5.
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Purchase 2019 Men's Soccer Season and Single-Game Tickets Click Here
Â
BOXSCORE | POST-GAME COMMENTS | PHOTO GALLERY
Â
AKRON, Ohio - Sparked by the first career goals from junior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) and sophomore Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), the University of Akron men's soccer team cracked the win column with a 2-0 victory over VCU (3-5-1) on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
The Zips (1-7) turned in a dominant performance in the match on the strength of registering a 17-8 edge in shots, including a 6-2 margin in shots on frame.
Â
Strachan posted career- and game-high marks in shots (4) and shots on goal (2) for Akron in the match, while junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) matched his four-shot performance, and Tojaga added a pair of shots to the Zips' offensive attack. Ryo Shimazaki and Fortia Miunts directed the Rams' offense with a team-best two shots each.
Â
Junior goalkeeper Joe Bowles (Stratford, England) registered his first career clean sheet with the Zips posting a pair of saves in only his second career start. Mario Sequeira corralled a trio of stops for VCU.
Â
Bowles made a save on the initial shot of the evening off the foot of Shimazaki in the third minute (2:15) on the tilt.
Â
The Zips netted what proved to be the game-winning goal at the 9:29 mark when Strachan knocked in his first goal of the season off a beautifully delivered corner kick from sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio).
Â
Akron saw its next three shots of the half blocked, before Tojaga found the back of net in the 27th minute (26:43) off an assist from Egbo to extend the Zips' lead to 2-0.
Â
Akron entered the intermission maintaining a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard on the strength of an 8-4 edge in shots in the opening stanza, including a 2-1 margin on frame.
Â
Strachan delivered his second strike on net for the Zips at the 63:05 mark, one that was thwarted by a save from Sequeira.
Â
Egbo nearly stretched Akron's lead to 3-0 in the 69th minute (68:25) as his laser was deflected out of bounds for a save by a diving Sequeira.
Â
Bowles kept the shutout intact for the Zips with a save at the 70:00 mark off a shot by Fiorre Mane.
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Only a team save with a clearance off the goal line by the VCU defender in the 81st minute (80:42) prevented freshman Mani Austmann (Gardabaer, Iceland) from scoring his second tally of the year.
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Egbo added one final strike on net for the Zips at the 88:21 mark, a shot that was pulled in for a save by Sequeira.
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Akron concludes its three-match homestand with a 7 p.m. tilt versus No. 13 Florida International on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Team Stats
VCU
AKR
Goals
0
2
Shots
8
17
Shots on Goal
2
6
Saves
4
2
Corners
4
9
Fouls
10
13
Scoring Plays

STRACHAN, Daniel (1)
Assisted By: BIROS, Colin
header off corner
9:29

TOJAGA, Sam (1)
Assisted By: EGBO, David
shot middle box 10 yards out top corner
26:43
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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