Men's Soccer Opens 65th Anniversary Campaign at Xavier

Friday, August 30

Cincinnati, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Xavier

Men's Soccer Opens 65th Anniversary Campaign at Xavier

August 29 | Men's Soccer

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MATCH NO. 1 - AKRON AT XAVIER GAME NOTES (8/30)

Akron (0-0-0) at Xavier (0-0-0)
Friday, Aug. 30
XU Soccer Stadium (1,000)
Cincinnati, Ohio • 7 p.m.

Series History: Akron leads 7-0-0
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 second-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team opens its 65th season with an in-state showdown at Xavier on Friday, Aug. 30. The 7 p.m. tilt will be broadcast Xavier All-Access with a link on GoZips.com.

AKRON VERSUS THE BIG EAST CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big East Conference for the first time this season and the 35th time in program history.
• In its last meeting with a school from the Big East Conference, Akron registered a 1-0 victory past No. 8 Creighton on Oct. 16, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• In all, Akron is 21-3-10 (.758) versus teams from the Big East Conference (Butler - 0-0-1; Creighton - 3-0-2; Georgetown - 2-0-1; Marquette - 8-1-4; Seton Hall - 1-0-0; St. John's - 0-2-2; Villanova - 1-0-0; Xavier - 6-0-0).

SCOUTING XAVIER
Xavier enters play on Friday, Aug. 30, versus the Zips on the heels of a 6-7-6 mark a season ago, including a 4-4-1 record in the Big East Conference. The Musketeers registered a 3-2 triumph over nationally-ranked Georgetown, while also garnering ties versus No. 6 Kentucky, as well as Northwestern and Oregon State. Senior Samson Sergi is the Musketeer's leading returning scorer registering team-high marks in goals (9) and game-winners in 2018, while ranking second in points (21), shots (42) and shots on goal (17). Xavier will be breaking in a new goalkeeper this season following the departure of Colin Hanley and Zachary Nelson, who combined to record 60 saves and four shutouts a year ago.

As a team, Xavier ranked 12th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.26), 29th in total assists (33), 31st in assists per game (1.74), 41st in total points (93), 44th in points per contest (4.89) and 48th in total goals (30).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Xavier for the eighth time in program history with the Zips owning a 7-0-0 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron posted a 4-3 home overtime victory past the Musketeers on Sept. 20, 1998. The Zips and Xavier last met in Cincinnati on Sept. 12, 1997, where Akron earned a 3-2 overtime triumph.

THE COACHES
Xavier: Andy Fleming is in his 10th season as head coach of the Xavier program, owning a 98-55-30 (.617) record.

Akron: In his seventh year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, and 13th season overall, is Jared Embick, who owns a 94-30-13 mark (.734), including 141-51-21 (.711) 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 94-30-13 (.734) 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 lead 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 204-43-29 (.792), 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 went on to post its 18th consecutive double-digit victory campaign in 2018 and concluded the year with a 15-7-2 ledger after advancing to the title match of the College Cup for the fourth time in program history.

The Zips became the fourth unseeded team to reach the championship match of the College Cup since the tournament expanded to 48 teams in 2001 joining Charlotte (2014), UC Santa Barbara (2006) and Stanford (2002). Akron also was the 10th squad since the NCAA Tournament field expanded to earn a berth in the College Cup coming through the draw as an unseeded squad. Akron joined UMBC (2014), Charlotte (2011), UMass (2007), UC Santa Barbara (2006-NCAA Champion), SMU (2005), Duke (2004), Santa Clara (2003), Stanford (2002) and Creighton (2002).

Sparking Akron's efforts on the campaign was the play of David Egbo, who earned third-team United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News All-America accolades, as well as All-MAC performers Harter, Ben Lundt, Ritaccio, Sam Tojaga and Zajac.

The Zips culminated the campaign winning nine consecutive matches to reach the title game of the College Cup, where Akron dropped a 1-0 decision to Maryland.

Carlo Ritaccio was honored for his breakout 2018 campaign as TopDrawerSoccer.com named him its National Freshman of the Year. It marked the second consecutive season that a Zip had won the award as Joao Moutinho garnered similar honors in 2017. Ritaccio also earned TopDrawerSoccer.com Freshmen Best XI First-Team accolades, while fellow freshman Colin Biros was tabbed to the Freshman Best XI second team.

Ritaccio and Biros joined an elite group of Zips to garner All-Freshman team accolades from TopDrawerSoccer.com joining Evan Bush (2005), Perry Kitchen (2010), Darren Mattocks (2010), David Meves (2009) Ossie Michalsen (2005), Adam Najem (2013), Dillon Serna (2012), Joao Moutinho (2017) and Daniel Strachan (2017).

Ben Lundt and Abdi Mohamed became the 25th and 26th Zips to be drafted during the MLS SuperDraft with their selections by FC Cincinnati and New York City FC with the 13th and 19th choices of the second round (No. 37 and No. 43 overall).

The Zips also found success in the classroom as Akron was named for the 11th consecutive year and 12th time overall by the United Soccer Coaches as a 2017-18 Collegiate Team Academic Award winner boasting a team 3.02 grade-point average.

As a team, the Zips rated second in the NCAA in 2018 in total points (154), third in total assists (56), fourth in total goals (49), sixth in assists per game (2.33), seventh in corner kicks (6.67), 11th in points per contest (6.42), 14th in scoring offense (2.04), 31st in winning percentage (.667) and 45th in shots per game (13.63).

LATE PENALTY KICK PROPELS AKRON PAST MICHIGAN, 3-2
A 90th-minute penalty kick from sophomore Colin Biros (Jackson, Ohio) propelled the third-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a 3-2 exhibition victory past No. 16 Michigan on Aug. 23, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Despite the final-minute heroics, the Zips were bested in shots on the afternoon, 13-6, including 5-3 on goal. Six different Akron players recorded a shot in the affair, while Jack Hallahan posted a game-high five shots for the Wolverines.

Redshirt junior goalkeeper Tor Saunders (Seattle, Wash.) made two saves in going the distance for the for the Zips, while the Michigan tandem of Andrew Verdi and Owen Finnerty played 45 minutes apiece and didn't notch a save.

The game-winning tally was set-up by a strong surge into the offensive third from redshirt junior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal), who was fouled in the box with seven seconds remaining on the clock to draw a penalty kick. Stepping to the line and delivering a successful strike to break the 2-2 stalemate was Biros.

The Zips opened the scoring in the match as senior Tom Smart (Birmingham, England) struck a perfect ball from 25 yards out that found the corner of the net to give Akron a 1-0 lead at the 8:09 mark.

Nebojsa Popovic squared the contest at one in the 31st minute (30:14) connecting on a shot from the top of box off an assist from Hallahan.

The two sides went into the intermission tied at one with the Wolverines owning a 6-1 margin in shots.

Junior David Egbo (Enugu, Nigeria) intercepted a defensive turnover in Michigan's backfield and capitalized with an unassisted tally at the 61:45 mark to give the Zips a 2-1 advantage.

Akron held the lead until the 81st minute (80:52) when Hallahan found the back of the net with the equalizer off an assist from Popovic.

The Wolverines nearly took a 3-2 lead in the 89th minute (88:13) as only a clearance off the line by redshirt sophomore Declan Watters (Dublin, Ireland) prevented a goal from Umar Farouk Osman.

FOUR UNANSWERED GOALS PUSH ZIPS OVER CHARLESTON, 4-1
Four unanswered goals propelled the Zips to a come-from-behind 4-1 exhibition victory over Charleston on Aug. 21, at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Akron garnered an 11-7 edge in shots on the evening, including posting a 6-2 margin in shots on goal en route to earning the triumph.

David Egbo and Colin Biros directed the Zips with a game-high two shots apiece, while seven other Akron players recorded one shot each. Ettore Ballestracci led the Golden Eagles with two shots.

Tor Saunders played all 90 minutes in net for Akron pulling in one save.

The Golden Eagles got on the scoreboard first as Ballestracci capitalized on a Zips' defensive turnover in the third minute (2:40) to give Charleston a 1-0 lead.

The advantage was short-lived as freshman Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) netted the equalizer off an assist from Diogo Pacheco 22 seconds later at the 3:02 mark.

The two sides battled back and forth over the next 20 minutes or so before Biros served a ball into the box that was flicked by Pacheco to a charging Egbo, who headed the ball home for what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 27th minute (26:14).

Senior Christian Lue Young (Plantation, Fla.) extended the Zips' lead to 3-1 at the 32:34 mark serving a ball into the box from the endline, a strike that deflected off the back of goalkeeper Alvaro Unanua Dean before pinging the near post and rolling over the line for a goal on the far net.

Akron held a 3-1 led at the intermission on the strength of a 7-4 margin in first-half shots.

Freshman Nicolas Alt (Basal, Switzerland) capped the scoring for the Zips with a goal in the 66th minute off an assist from freshman Joey Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio).

AKRON EDGES EVANSVILLE, 1-0
University of Akron men's soccer freshman Mani Austmann (Gardabaer, Iceland) netted what proved to be the game-winning tally in the 38th minute (37:13) to propel the Zips to a 1-0 exhibition victory past Evansville on Aug. 18 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The goal was set up by a pair of strong passes from sophomore Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) and David Egbo to the top of the 18-yard box where Austmann collected a feed in stride and delivered a strike into the corner of the net to give Akron a 1-0 lead.

The Zips registered a 16-2 advantage in shots in the affair, including a 13-1 margin in the first half. Diogo Pacheco led Akron with a game-high four shots. The Purple Aces were directed by one shot each from Nicolas Likulkia and Luis Aranda.

Tor Saunders garnered the clean sheet victory without having to make a save.

The Zips posted the first 12 shots of the match, with Austmann finding the back of the net at the 37:13 mark, before Aranda had his shot blocked in the 43rd minute (42:53) for Evansville's lone shot of the initial stanza.

The Zips outshot the Purple Aces in the second half, 3-1, as 23 different Akron players earned playing time, including 11 newcomers.

Freshman Kai Wagner (Wadsworth, Ohio) accounted for the Zips' lone shot on goal over the final 45 minutes as his shot at the 79:05 mark was saved by Frederik Reimer.

AKRON IN SEASON OPENERS
Now in its 65th season of intercollegiate soccer in 2019, the Akron men's soccer team have posted a record of 39-18-7 overall in season openers since the Zips first took the field against Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 8, 1955. Over the last 10 campaigns, Akron owns a 7-2-1 mark in season openers.

ZIPS' TRIO COLLECTS TOP-100 ACCOLADES
A trio of University of Akron men's soccer standouts in senior Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio), David Egbo and Carlo Ritaccio garnered accolades when TopDrawerSoccer.com unveiled its Men's Soccer National Top-100 D1 Players to Watch Preseason list on Aug. 28.

Egbo, Ritaccio and Harter, who were selected as team captains in 2019, were tabbed third, 29th and 47th, respectively, in the preseason rankings.

Egbo, a 2019 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List nominee, was earlier this week tabbed a Best XI first-team selection by TopDrawerSoccer.com, while Ritaccio, the 2018 TopDrawerSoccer.com National Freshman of the Year, was recognized as a third-team honoree.

A first-team All-Mid-American Conference performer for the initial time in 2018, Egbo, recorded a trio of multi-goal performances on the campaign en route to ranking fifth in the NCAA in game-winning goals (6), 10th in total goals (13), 11th in total points (31), 32nd in goals per contest (0.57) and 45th in points per game (1.35).

Egbo was honored by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its National Team of the Week on five occasions, while also being recognized by College Soccer News. He led the MAC in goals (13) and points (31), while ranking second in goals per game (0.57) and shots (61), third in points (1.35) and shots per contest (2.21) and 10th in assists (5).

A 2018 Second-Team All-MAC performer, Ritaccio, started all 22 matches in which he appeared for the Zips at his center back position, helping anchor a Zips' defensive unit that posted eight shutouts this past season, while contributing a trio of goals on the strength of nine shots, including four on goal.

Ritaccio was tabbed as the National Freshman of the Year by TopDrawerSoccer.com, while also earning TopDrawerSoccer.com Freshmen Best XI First-Team accolades.

Harter appeared in all 24 matches for the Zips in 2018, including earning 20 starts, and posted a pair of goals, while adding seven assists on the strength of 20 shots, en route to collecting First-Team All-MAC honors. He was also named to the All-Tournament squad at the College Cup.

EGBO AND RITACCIO EARN TDS BEST XI HONORS
David Egbo and Carlo Ritaccio were among those honored when TopDrawerSoccer.com unveiled its Preseason Best XI Squads on Aug. 27.

Egbo, a 2019 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List nominee, was tabbed a first-team honoree, while Ritaccio, the 2018 TopDrawerSoccer.com National Freshman of the Year, was recognized as a third-team selection.

ZIPS TABBED TO CAPTURE MAC TITLES
Akron will open its 65th season of intercollegiate soccer on Aug. 30 squaring off against Xavier as the favorite to capture the Mid-American Conference regular and postseason titles in a preseason poll of six conference coaches, the league office announced on Aug. 26.

The Zips under seventh-year head coach Jared Embick were picked to capture the conference regular season championship in the MAC Coaches Preseason poll with five first-place votes. Following Akron (35 points) in the rankings was Western Michigan (27 points). The Broncos garnered the lone remaining first-place tally.

Rounding out the rest of the poll was West Virginia (22 points) and SIU Edwardsville (15 points), Bowling Green (14 points) and Northern Illinois (13 points).

Also voted on by the coaches was the predicted 2019 MAC Tournament Champion where Akron recorded five of six votes to repeat as league tournament winner.

ZIPS TIDBITS
• The Zips advanced to the title match of the College Cup for the fourth time in program history (1986, 2009, 2010, 2018) in 2018.
• Akron played in the College Cup for the sixth time (1986, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2018) in program history a season ago.
• Last season marked the second time that the Zips have gone to the College Cup in back-to-back seasons. The last time this occurred in 2010, Akron won its first-ever team title in Santa Barbara, Calif.
• The Zips were the fourth unseeded team to reach the title match of the College Cup since the NCAA Tournament field expanded to 48 teams in 2001. Akron joined Charlotte (2014), UC Santa Barbara (2006) and Stanford (2002). Of that group, the Gauchos were the lone squad to capture the NCAA title.
• The Zips became the 10th team since the NCAA Tournament field expanded to 48 teams in 2001 to earn a berth in the College Cup in 2018 coming through the draw as an unseeded squad. Akron joins UMBC (2014), Charlotte (2011), UMass (2007), UC Santa Barbara (2006-NCAA Champion), SMU (2005), Duke (2004), Santa Clara (2003), Stanford (2002) and Creighton (2002). Michigan State-became the 11th member of this exclusive list as well.
• For first time in the last 20 seasons, the Zips advanced to the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament after having to play an opening-round match. Akron was one of two unseeded teams in the tournament last season to do so, joining Michigan State.
• The victory over Western Michigan on Nov. 11, 2018, enabled the Zips to extend their run of double-digit victory campaigns to 18 straight seasons.
• During Akron's nine-game winning streak a year ago, the Zips outshot their opponents, 144-109, including 60-43 on goal. Akron also posted a 69-38 advantage in corner kicks.
• Akron owned a Mid-American Conference-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).
• The Zips registered seven consecutive victories over ranked opponents a year ago bettering Creighton, Michigan State (twice), West Virginia, Syracuse, Wake Forest and Stanford after opening the year going 0-3-1 versus ranked teams.
• The Zips own a 10-2-1 mark in their last 13 matches away from home on the strength of five, three and three goals, respectively, from David Egbo, Diogo Pacheco and Carlo Ritaccio. Akron has averaged 13.8 shots per contest in those matches, while limiting its opponents to 11.0 shots per tilt. The Zips have also posted a 89-52 margin in corner kicks and a 180-143 edge in total shots.
• The Zips' contest versus West Virginia during the regular season represented the 125th match for head coach Jared Embick at Akron and his 200th game overall in his head coaching career.
• The three-goal explosion by Diogo Pacheco at VCU on Sept. 26 marked the third hat trick for an Akron player last season joining David Egbo and Ezana Kahsay, who matched the feat versus Canisius on Sept. 15.
• Akron has not had three players register a hat trick since 2005 when Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Ross McKenzie and Geir Nyheim did so for the Zips.
• Skye Harter and David Egbo have contributed seven and five assists, respectively, to the Zips' total of 56 in 2018.
• David Egbo's eight-point effort in a 10-0 triumph past Canisius (Sept. 15) marked the most points in a match for a Zip since Ørjan Bjånesø tallied three goals and added a pair of assists in a 7-1 win against St. Bonaventure on Oct. 20, 2000.
• As a team, the Zips rated second in the NCAA in total points (154), third in total assists (56), fourth in total goals (49), sixth in assists per game (2.33), seventh in corner kicks (6.67), 11th in points per contest (6.42), 14th in scoring offense (2.04), 31st in winning percentage (.667) and 45th in shots per game (13.63).
• Individually, David Egbo ranked fifth in the NCAA in game-winning goals (6), 10th in total goals (13), 11th in total points (31), 32nd in goals per contest (0.57) and 45th in points per game (1.35).
• Twenty different Zips registered shots last season, including 11 newcomers.
• David Egbo is Akron's active career leaders in goals (14), points (37), shots (83), shots on goal (31) and game-winning goals (6). Skye Harter directs the squad in assists (17) and games played (64).
• Seven different Akron freshmen earned the starting nod last season for the Zips. Carlo Ritaccio started 22 matches on the campaign for Akron, while Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.), Pol Hernandez (Teia, Spain) and Colin Biros started 21, 21, 17 and 17 games, respectively.
• In Akron's 15 wins a year ago, the Zips outscored their opponents 43-11. Akron outshot the opposition 223-159, including 97-59 on goal. Seventeen different Zips contributed points in the contests with David Egbo leading the way registering 11 goals and four assists.
• The Zips own a 94-28-13 mark over the last six seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 94 wins are ranked first in all of Division I.
• 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.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 19-4-3.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 61 of the squad's last 100 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 19 of its last 33 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 53-7-4 record in its last 64 home matches.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 26-15-2 mark against ranked opponents.
• The Zips ranked 16th nationally in attendance in 2018 averaging 1,419 for nine home games. In 2016 and 2017, Akron rated 10th nationally in attendance averaging 2,147 and 1,819 fans per contest, respectively.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 56-6-4 (.879) mark in the Mid-American Conference. Furthermore, the Zips won 11 consecutive MAC regular season championships (2006-16) and 11 of the last 12 MAC Tournament titles.
• In all, Akron leads all league members with 19 regular-season and 15 tournament championships since joining the MAC in 1993, and has won both titles in the same season 12 times.
• In the first 26 seasons in the MAC, the Zips have produced 191 All-MAC honorees, including a conference-record nine first-team selections in 2010.
• Since Oct. 1, 2015, Akron owns a 47-17-9 record.
• In all, the Zips have produced 23 Academic All-American honors in its history, dating back to the 1998 season.
• Akron has long been associated with academic excellence. Over the last four seasons, the Zips have posted team GPA's of 3.02 (2017), 3.09 (2016), 3.20 (2015) and 3.37 (2014). Akron finished second in Division I in 2011-12 with a cumulative mark of 3.44. The remarkable feat follows years that saw the Zips post GPAs of 3.43 in 2010-11 and 3.33 in 2009-10.

A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Aug. 28) (.792), with an overall record of 204-43-29. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 184-50-38 (.746), North Carolina, 175-52-36 (.734), Wake Forest, 166-52-33 (.727) and Creighton, 176-60-26 (.721). Akron has made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of the last 11 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including each of the past 12 seasons and 17 of the past 18.

2009 AKRON SQUAD TO BE INDUCTED INTO VARSITY "A" SPORTS HALL OF FAME
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.

The Zips, under the guidance of head coach Caleb Porter, won the 2009 MAC regular-season championship and tournament championship en route to an appearance in the NCAA National Championship game. Akron finished 23-1-1 overall and 6-0 in MAC play.

The Zips went undefeated through the regular season and NCAA Tournament until the College Cup. Akron tied North Carolina 0-0 in the national semifinal, advancing on penalty kicks. The Zips then tied Virginia 0-0 and fell in penalty kicks in the title game.

Fueled by one of the greatest defensive seasons in college history, Akron matched an NCAA record by posting a perfect 23-0-0 record heading into the College Cup in 2009 en route to its runner-up finish. Akron didn't allow a single goal during the NCAA Tournament and finished with 19 shutouts for the campaign, which represented the second highest total all-time. Furthermore, its goals-against-average (0.27) and shutout percentage (.760) were ranked third-best in NCAA history.

PROTECTING OUR HOUSE
Since 2007, the Zips have recorded a 120-11-14 (.876) ledger in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium. Akron owns four unbeaten campaigns during that span, including posting home marks of 12-0-1, 13-0-0, 12-0-1, 10-0-2 and 12-0-0 during the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2017 seasons, respectively.

WHAT IS A ZIP?
• One of the unique nicknames in collegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron.
• Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth "Red" Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletics teams.
• Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers.
• The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers, a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.
• The evolution of Zippy, UA's mascot, began 40 years ago when the student council decided the University needed a mascot.
• "Zippy" the kangaroo was officially declared the school's mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as "Zippy" was a 1965 Zip football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name "Zippy" came Sept. 24, 1965, in an identification of a photo of the cheerleaders listing "Mascot - 'Zippy' - Charles Huettner."
• In 2007, Zippy was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.

DID YOU KNOW?
• Thirteen Zips have had their names called during the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, including a league record five selections in the first eight picks in 2011 following the Zips' national championship season.
• Akron broke a second MLS record that day as seven Akron players were chosen in the first two rounds, the most from a single team in draft history.
• Zippy is just one of five female-gendered college mascots in Division I athletics. Do you know the other four? (YoUDee, the Delaware Blue Hen; Mrs. Wuf of N.C. State; Lucy Lobo of New Mexico; and Wilma Wildcat of Arizona).

UP NEXT
Akron opens its home campaign welcoming No. 4 Stanford to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. match on Monday, Sept. 2.