Akron Battles Northern Illinois in Senior Night Showdown

Saturday, November 2

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Northern Illinois

Akron Battles Northern Illinois in Senior Night Showdown

November 01 | Men's Soccer

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MATCH NO. 16 - AKRON VS. NORTHERN ILLINOIS GAME NOTES (11/2)

Akron (4-9-2, 2-0-1 MAC) vs. Northern Illinois (7-7-1, 2-1-0 MAC)
Saturday, Nov. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium (5,000)
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.

Series History: Akron leads 25-4-1
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

The University of Akron men's soccer team closes out its regular season home campaign on Saturday, Nov. 2, as the Zips welcome Northern Illinois to FirstEnergy Stadium. The 7 p.m. contest will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the ESPN app with Dave Bacon and Chad Welker calling the action.

FOUR SENIORS NEAR END OF THEIR HOME ZIPS' CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Northern Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 2, will mark the final home games in the careers of seniors Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), Christian Lue Young (Plantation, Fla.), Tom Smart (Birmingham, England) and Leonard Sohn (Richmond Hill, Ontario).

Harter has played in a team-best 74 games over his Akron career, including 46 starts. He has registered nine goals, while adding 17 assists on the strength of 57 shots, including 26 on goal.

Lue Young joined the Zips prior to the 2017 season and has appeared in 20 matches, including nine starts and has posted a goal and an assist on 16 shots, including seven on frame.

Smart has appeared in eight of the Zips' 15 contests this season, including a pair of starts. He has yet to record his first shot at Akron.

A two-year member of the Zips, Sohn has appeared in 17 matches, including six starts and owns a assist on three shots.

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into play against the Zips having won three of its last four matches following a 3-2 victory over Western Michigan on Oct. 25. Sophomore Nick Markanich leads the Huskies in goals (6), shots (37), shots on goal (14) and game-winners (3), while ranking second in points (14). Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Martin Sanchez has recorded 39 saves en route to posting one shutout on the strength of a 1.60 goals against average.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 31st time in program history with the Zips owning a 25-4-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron dropped a 2-1 road decision versus the Huskies on Oct. 20, 2018 in DeKalb, Ill.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 20, 2018 - DEKALB, ILL.)
A pair of second-half goals, including the game-winning tally by Irvin Dominguez in the 79th minute (78:38) proved too much for Akron to overcome as the Zips dropped a 2-1 decision at Northern Illinois on Oct. 20, 2018 in DeKalb, Ill.

Sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio) accounted for Akron's lone tally in the game scoring in the 22nd minute (21:08) off an assist from Skye Harter.

Led by a team-best two shots from junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria), the Zips outshot the Huskies on the evening, 7-6, including 4-3 on net. Four different Akron players posted shots on goal, while Nick Markanich paced all players with a game-high three shots.

Biros' goal represented the first shot of the game for Akron. Egbo had a pair of shots sail high in the opening stanza, while Ezana Kahsay's strike at the 40:14 mark was blocked.

Sophomore Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) closed the half for the Zips registering a shot on goal that was denied by a save from Huskies' goalkeeper Konrad Dziedzic.

Akron lead at the intermission, 1-0, on the strength of outshooting Northern Illinois, 5-1, including 2-0 on frame.

Markanich leveled the tilt at one in the 49th minute (48:57) connecting on the goal off an assist from Kevin Rodriguez.

Abdi Mohamed recorded the Zips' initial shot of the second half at the 76:36 mark, a strike that was saved by Dziedzic.

Just over two minutes later at the 78:38 mark, Dominguez netted what proved to be the game-winning tally to give Northern Illinois its first victory over Akron since the 2006 campaign.

Junior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) got off the Zips' final shot of the evening, a strike that was pulled in for a save by Dziedzic.

THE COACHES
Northern Illinois: Ryan Swan is in his third season as head coach of the Northern Illinois program, owning a 18-27-3 (.406) record. Overall in 11 years as a head coach, Swan holds a 124-74-11 (.620) mark.
Akron: In his seventh year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 13th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 98-39-15 mark (.694), including 145-60-23 (.686) 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 98-39-15 (.694) 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 98 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 208-52-31 (.768), including a 58-6-5 (.877) 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.

SECOND-HALF GOALS LIFT CLEVELAND STATE PAST ZIPS, 3-1
A pair of second-half goals from Gabriel Pewu proved too much for the University of Akron men's soccer team to overcome as Cleveland State registered a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph over the Zips at Krenzler Field on Tuesday, Oct. 29.

Despite playing the match without the services of four starters, Akron statistically dominated the Vikings equaling season-high marks in shots (22) and shots on goal (10) en route to posting a 22-10 advantage in shots, including a 10-5 margin in shots on goal.

Freshman Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) and Colin Biros each set career-high marks in shots and shots on goals as the Zips' duo posted six shots apiece, while recording four and three shots on goal, respectively. Pewu directed the Cleveland State attack with a two-goal effort on the strength of a team-high three shots.

Omeed Naeemy finished the evening garnering nine saves in goal for the Vikings, while redshirt junior Tor Saunders (Seattle, Wash.) registered a pair of stops in net for the Zips.

Sophomore Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) earned the initial strike on goal in the match with a shot that was saved by Naeemy in the third minute (2:19).

Christian Lue Young struck a header inside the six-yard box off a corner from Biros that was pulled in for a save at the 15:22 mark by Naeemy.

Jackson registered shots on goal for the Zips in the 20th (19:32) and 24th (23:17) minutes, respectively, that were denied by a pair of saves from Naeemy.

Biros gave Akron a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute (23:19) connecting on his first goal of the season. He redirected a deflection off of a shot by Jackson that was punched out for a save by Naeemy. Jackson earned the assist on the tally.

Jackson added his third shot on goal in the initial stanza at the 30:16 mark, a strike pulled in for a save by Naeemy.

The Vikings leveled the contest at one at the 42:03 mark as Vlad Jandric bested Saunders to the far post off an assist from Andrew Nicholas.

Akron registered a 10-2 edge in first-half shots, including a 6-1 margin in shots on goal.

Lawrence Karpeh nearly gave Cleveland State a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute (46:30) as his shot in the box went just wide of the corner of the net.

The Vikings were thwarted again at the 47:11 mark when an offsides call negated a goal.

Cleveland State continued to pressure the attack and assumed a 2-1 lead at the 62:38 mark when Pewu redirected a deflection off a save of Stjepan Mijic-Barisic's shot into the corner of the net for the goal.

Pewu extended the Vikings' lead to 3-1 adding his second tally of the evening in the 65th minute (64:23) in a 1v1 opportunity that found the corner of the net.

Biros and Jackson each had their strikes on net at the 69:17 and 76:15 marks, respectively, thwarted by saves from Naeemy.

The Zips continued to battle over the final few minutes as Biros had his free kick in the 89th minute (88:12) deflected high of the net by a save from Naeemy. Daniel Strachan's shot at the 88:50 mark was then stopped by a save from Naeemy.

ZIPS FINDING THEIR FORM
The Zips found their form in October as Akron owned a 4-2-2 mark in the month. The Zips averaged 16.5 shots and 1.50 goals per game in those contests, while limiting their opponents to 10.5 shots and 0.88 goals per tilt. Akron outscored its opponents in the first half by a 9-2 margin, while posting a 66-30 edge in corner kicks. Will Jackson, Mani Austmann and David Egbo paced the Zips with 23,20 and 19 shots, respectively. In goal, Joe Bowles owned a 0.55 goals against average on the strength of two shutouts and 13 saves.

EGBO EARNS NATIONAL AND LEAGUE HONORS
David Egbo was honored for his efforts leading the Zips to a 3-0 victory over league-leading SIU Edwardsville in Mid-American Conference play as College Soccer News and TopDrawerSoccer.com named him to their National Men's Soccer Teams of the Week the week of Oct. 28.

Egbo was also tabbed as the MAC Men's Soccer Player of the Week and the Summa Health Akron Student-Athlete of the Week.

Egbo turned in a stellar performance in sparking the Zips to a 3-0 victory over the Cougars in the squad's lone match of the week. He directed the Zips' offensive performance with a game-high five shots, including two on frame, and finished the night with a goal and two assists.

On the season, Egbo owns team-high marks in goals (5), assists (3), points (13) and shots (34), while ranking second in shots on goal (16).

JACKSON MAKING HIS MARK
Will Jackson has provided a dynamic presence for the Zips on the offensive end this season as he enters play versus Northern Illinois on Nov. 2, leading Mid-American Conference freshmen in shots (33) and shots per game (2.36). In conference-only affairs, he is leading the league rookies in goals (2) and game-winners (1), while rating fourth in shots (7) and shots on goal (3). In MAC-Only contests overall, he is second in game-winning goals (0.33), third in goals (0.67), sixth in shots on goal (1.00), seventh points (1.67) and 10th in shots per game (2.33).

AUSTMANN ADDING TO ZIPS' OFFENSIVE ATTACK
Mani Austmann upped his game in the month of October ranking second on the team in shots (20), shots on goal (10) and game-winners (1) and fourth in goals (1). He is currently leading Mid-American Conference freshmen in shots (9) and game-winners (1) in league-only affairs, while also sitting second in shots on goal (6). In MAC-Only contests overall, he ranks second in game-winning goals (0.33), third in shots on goal (2.00) and fourth in shots per game (3.00).

ZIPS TIDBITS
• Seven of the last 10 matches between Akron and Northern Illinois have resulted in a shutout with the Zips owning a 7-0 mark in those contests.
• The Huskies' 2-1 victory in 2018 snapped a 14-match winning streak for Akron over Northern Illinois and marked only the third time in series history in which the Huskies had scored two or more goals versus the Zips.
• Akron maintains a 15-1-1 mark in its 17 encounters with the Huskies at FirstEnergy Stadium, including wins in the previous nine meetings. The Zips have outscored Northern Illinois, 40-8, all-time at home, including earning shutout victories in seven of the last eight encounters.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 20 all-time meetings with Northern Illinois.
• The Zips set season-high marks in shots on goal (10) and corner kicks (14) against Cleveland State on Oct. 29, while equaling a season-best total in overall shots (22). Will Jackson and Colin Biros each established career-high marks in shots and shots on goal registering (6/4) and 6/3) versus the Vikings. The six strikes by Biros and Jackson stand as the top single-game mark for a Zip in 2019.
• The Zips' 3-0 win over SIU Edwardsville on Oct. 25 represented the 125th regular season Mid-American Conference victory for Akron since joining the conference in 1993.
• Akron's match at Western Michigan marked Jared Embick's 150th game as head coach of the Zips and 225th contest overall as a head coach.
• David Egbo has been stellar in Akron's seven home games this season owning team-high marks in goals (5), points (13), shots (23) and shots on goal (12).
• On the strength of 114 shots, including 45 on goal, the Zips are registering 16.3 shots per game at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2019, while limiting their opponents to 11.3 shots a night.
• Will Jackson made the most of his MAC debut versus Bowling Green on Oct. 12 as he posted his first collegiate goal, a game-winner, while also tallying an assist on redshirt junior Diogo Pacheco's (Lisbon, Portugal) first-half goal.
• Will Jackson ranks second in the MAC in game-winning goals (1), while rating third in goals (0.67), sixth in shots on goal (1.00) and seventh in points (1.67) per game in conference-only matches.
• Three Zips are among the league leaders in several statistical categories for conference-only matches as David Egbo leads the league in assists (1.00) and shots (4.00) per outing, while rating second in points per game (2.00). Diogo Pacheco is first in goals (1.00) and second in points (2.00) per contest. Tor Saunders paces the conference in goals against average (0.00), shutouts per contest (1.000) and save percentage (1.000), while Joe Bowles is second in goals against average (0.90). Mani Austmann ranks second in game-winning goals (0.33) and third in shots on goal per contest (2.00), while Pol Hernandez is third in assists per game (0.67).
• The NCAA released its third men's soccer RPI report on Oct. 28 and the Zips (No. 73) face upcoming road tests at No. 100 West Virginia (Nov. 7), as well as a home match against No. 96 Northern Illinois (Nov. 2).
• 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 sophomore Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) 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.
• Ten different Akron players have earned an assist this season.
• The Zips own the seventh-best strength of schedule in the country in 2019 according to RPI Update.
• Akron has also faced the 12th-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 an upcoming test versus top-100 teams in the latest RPI Update rankings. Akron faces a battles No. 96 Northern Illinois (Nov. 2) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked fourth in the MAC in shots per contest (2.67) 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 seventh in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.07).
• Skye Harter enters play against Northern Illinois among the active NCAA leaders in assists and games played. He is rated 17th in games played (74) and 34th in assists (16) among Division I players. David Egbo is 31st in career points per game (0.94).
• Will Jackson has paced a talented core of freshmen for Akron this season leading the newcomers in goals (3), assists (3), points (9), shots (33), shots on goal (17) and game-winners (2).
• Eight Akron newcomers have garnered a start in the Zips' 15 contests this season. Will Jackson has recorded 14 starts, while owning nine and seven starts, respectively, are Mani Austmann and Henrique Cruz. Joe Bowles, freshman Bradley Chick (Melbourne, Australia), senior Tom Smart, and freshmen Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.) and Joey Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) have posted six, four, two, two and one start, 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).

FORMER ZIPS EARN BERTHS IN MLS CUP
Seven former Zips saw their respective MLS clubs earn a berth into the 2019 MLS Cup Playoffs following Decision Day slated on 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), Saad Abdul-Salaam (Seattle) and Zarek Valentin (Portland) locked down spots.

In the Eastern Conference, second-seeded Atlanta earned a 1-0 win over No. 7 New England, while No. 4 Toronto bested No. 5 D.C. United, 5-1, on Oct. 19. Richie Laryea scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in overtime for Toronto. In the Western Conference, No. 2 Seattle downed No. 7 F.C Dallas, 4-3, No.3 Real Salt Lake edged No. 6 Portland, 2-1, and No. 4 Minnesota fell to No. 5 Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1.

In conference semifinal action, No. 4 Toronto bested top-seeded New York City FC, 2-1, on Oct. 23, while second-seeded Atlanta handed No. 3 Philadelphia a 2-0 setback on Oct. 24. In the Western Conference, No. 2 Seattle defeated No. 3 Real Salt Lake, 2-0, on Oct. 23 before the fifth-seeded Los Angeles Galaxy bettered cross-town rival Los Angeles FC, 5-3, on Oct. 24.

In the Eastern Conference title match, fourth-seeded Toronto edged No. 2 Atlanta, 2-1, on Oct. 30, while in the Western Division, second-seeded Seattle upset No. 1 LAFC, 3-1, on Oct. 29. The MLS Cup will be played on Nov. 10 in Seattle, Wash.

UP NEXT
The Zips close out the regular season traveling to Morgantown, W.Va., for a 7 p.m. showdown against West Virginia on Thursday, Nov. 7.