Zips Encounter No. 10 Florida International

Saturday, October 5

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Florida International

October 04 | Men's Soccer

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MATCH NO. 9 - AKRON VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL GAME NOTES (10/5)

Akron (1-7-0) vs. No. 10 Florida International (7-0-2)
Saturday, Oct. 5
FirstEnergy Stadium (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.

Series History: Series tied 1-1-0
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPN+
Television: ESPN+ (Dave Bacon - pxp and Chad Welker - color)

MATCH PREVIEW WITH HEAD COACH JARED EMBICK

WHAT'S AHEAD

A stern test awaits the University of Akron men's soccer team in its quest to register back-to-back victories as the Zips welcome No. 10 Florida International to FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5. The 7 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with Dave Bacon and Chad Welker calling the action.

AKRON VERSUS CONFERENCE USA
• The Zips are meeting a team from Conference USA for the second time this season and 49th time overall.
• Akron owns a 27-14-7 (.649) all-time record versus the current nine members Conference USA.
• In their last encounter with a school from Conference USA, the Zips dropped a 2-0 decision at Marshall on Sept. 21, 2019.

SCOUTING FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Riding a three-game winning streak, all by shutout, as part of an overall 7-0-2 mark to open the campaign, Florida International comes into action versus Akron on the strength of a 2-0 victory past UAB on Saturday, Sept. 28. Redshirt junior Alessandro Campoy leads the offensive exploits for the Panthers owning team-high marks in goals (5), points (12), shots (24), shots on goal (11) and game-winners (2). Senior goalkeeper Daniel Gagliardi has recorded 29 saves en route to posting three consecutive shutouts on the strength of a 0.85 goals against average.

As a team, Florida International is ranked third in the NCAA in points per game (9.56), scoring offense (3.22), shots on goal per contest (8.00), total goals (29) and total points (86), fourth in total assists (28) and assists per tilt (3.11), seventh in winning percentage (.889), 29th in shots per game (14.89), 41st in corner kicks per outing (5.89) and 46th in save percentage (.784). Individually, Campoy is rated 29th in game-winning goals (2), 35th in total goals (5), 39th in goals per game (0.63), 40th in total points (12) and 41st in points per contest (1.50).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Florida International for the third time in program history and first at home with the series all square at one win apiece. The Panthers registered a 3-2 double-overtime triumph past the Zips on Sept. 25, 1998 at the Umbro Classic in Annapolis, Md., while Akron earned a 3-1 victory at the Gatorade-FIU Classic on Nov. 1, 1987 in Miami, Fla.

THE COACHES
FIU: Kevin Nylen is in his third season as head coach of the FIU program, owning an 26-12-6 (.659) record.
Akron: In his seventh year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 13th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 95-37-13 mark (.700), including 142-58-21 (.690) 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 95-37-13 (.700) 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 95 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 205-50-29 (.773), 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.

AKRON EARNS 2-0 WIN OVER VCU
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 on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Zips 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Strachan delivered his second strike on net for the Zips at the 63:05 mark, one that was thwarted by a save from Sequeira.

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.

Bowles kept the shutout intact for the Zips with a save at the 70:00 mark off a shot by Fiorre Mane.

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.

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.

AKRON EARNS ACADEMIC TEAM ACCOLADES
The University of Akron was one of 255 schools nationwide to have its men's and women's soccer teams recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as 2018-19 Collegiate Team Academic Award winners.

The Zips were one of only two schools in the Mid-American Conference to have both of their respective soccer programs honored.

The Akron men's team under seventh-year head coach Jared Embick was honored for the 12th consecutive year and 13th time overall after registering a cumulative 3.21 grade point average for the 2018-19 academic year.

To qualify for the award, the team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher for the entire academic year. The team GPA is determined by adding every player's GPA, then dividing by the number of players.

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.

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 73-13-8 (.819) ledger in the month, including a 38-6-3 (.840) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field.

ZIPS TIDBITS
• Four different Zips have garnered their first-ever collegiate goals this season. Daniel Strachan and Sam Tojaga joined the club tallying goals against VCU. They join senior Christian Lue Young (Plantation, Fla.) 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 Wednesday, Oct. 2.
• Akron owns a 7-1-0 mark in home contests played versus schools from Florida, including seven straight triumphs. Overall, the Zips own a 11-4-1mark against teams from the Sunshine State.
• Nine different Akron players have earned an assist this season.
• The Zips own the 25th-best strength of schedule in the country in 2019 according to RPI Update.
• Akron has also faced the 30th-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. 31 Florida International (Oct. 5), while facing road tests at No. 39 Butler (Oct. 8) and No. 41 West Virginia (Nov. 7). Additionally, the Zips battle No. 77 Bowling Green (Oct. 12), No. 81 Western Michigan (Oct. 20), No. 86 Cleveland State (Oct. 29) and No. 92 SIU Edwardsville (Oct. 25).
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in shots per contest (2.87) 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-three Zips have seen action this season, including 10 newcomers.
• Seventeen different Zips have registered a shot this season, including five newcomers.
• As a team, the Zips are rated 33rd in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.13).
• Skye Harter enters play against FIU among the active NCAA leaders in assists and games played. He is rated ninth in games played (70) and 22nd in assists (16) among Division I players, while ranking 46th overall, across all divisions, in games played.
• The Zips face their third match against a ranked team this season when it battles Florida International on Saturday. Earlier in the campaign, Akron dropped a 1-0 decision against Maryland on Sept. 13 after falling 2-1 versus Stanford on Sept. 2.
• A year ago, Akron owned a MAC-best eight victories over opponents ranked in the top-50 of the final NCAA RPI report. The Zips bettered No. 1 Wake Forest (1-0 on Nov. 25), No. 9 Stanford (3-2 on Nov. 30), No. 19 Syracuse (3-1 on Nov. 18), No. 21 West Virginia (3-1 on Nov. 9), No. 31 Creighton (1-0 on Oct. 16), No. 33 Michigan State (2-1 on Oct. 9 and 5-1 on Dec. 7) and No. 42 Pittsburgh (1-0 on Sept. 1).
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 26-17-2 mark against ranked opponents.
• Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) has paced a talented core of freshmen for Akron this season leading the newcomers in assists (1), shots (11) and shots on goal (5), while ranking seventh in points (1).
• Seven Akron newcomers have garnered a start in the Zips' initial eight contests this season. Will Jackson has recorded eight starts, while owning five starts is freshman Henrique Cruz (Fortaleza, Brazil). Freshmen Bradley Chick (Melbourne, Australia) and Mani Austmann, senior Tom Smart (Birmingham, England), junior Joe Bowles and freshman Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.) have posted four, four, two, two and one starts, respectively.
• David Egbo is Akron's active career leaders in goals (16), points (42), shots (102), shots on goal (42) and game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (17) and games played (70).

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 squares off against Butler in a 7 p.m. match on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Indianapolis, Ind.