The University of Akron Athletics
Thursday, October 7
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Georgia Southern
Akron Hosts Georgia Southern to Open Homestand
October 06 | Men's Soccer
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No. 13 Akron (5-2-2, 0-0-1 MAC) vs. Georgia Southern (4-5-0, 0-0-0 MAC)
Thursday, Oct. 7
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: First Meeting
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 13th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team commences a six-game homestand this week as the Zips welcome Mid-American Conference newcomer Georgia Southern to FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 7. The 7 p.m. showdown with the Eagles will be broadcast on ESPN3 with David Bacon calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Georgia Southern: John Murphy (Bridgewater State), Overall Record: 84-86-22 (11th Season)/GSU Record: 36-46-9 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 156-67-27 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 109-46-19 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Georgia Southern enters action this Thursday with a 4-5-0 ledger on the heels on a 1-0 double-overtime setback versus Stetson on Sept. 28.
The Eagles are led offensively by junior Adam Davie, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), assists (2), points (6), shots (24), shots on goal (10) and game-winners (1), while junior Mauro Gutierrez-Solis also boast team-best totals in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6). Junior goalkeeper Jokull Blaengsson has recorded 22 saves en route to posting a 1.82 goals against average as part of a pair of shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Georgia Southern are meeting for the first time in program history.
AKRON BATTLES NO. 3 WEST VIRGINIA TO 0-0 DOUBLE-OT DRAW IN MAC OPENER
The 14th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team garnered a result in its Mid-American Conference opener as the Zips battled No. 3 West Virginia to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 30.
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In a tilt dominated by defense, the Mountaineers finished the evening posting an 11-7 margin in shots, including a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.
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Senior goalkeeper Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) was stellar in net for Akron registering a game-high five saves, including a pair in the double-overtime period, en route to earning his third shutout of the season and his second straight.
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Freshman Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) led the Zips with a game-high two shots.
Akron posted its fifth consecutive shutout at West Virginia in the regular season earning the result this evening.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
• Shot by Luke McCormick at 9:25 mark from 10 yards out deflects off a diving save by Will Meyer pinged off the crossbar and is cleared out by the Zips' defense
• West Virginia had a goal waved off in the 15th minute (14:09) on an offsides call
• A Mountaineer shot by Frederik Jorgensen at the 22:31 mark went just wide of the corner of the net from 12 yards out
• Akron was outshot in the initial stanza by a 4-1 margin, with West Virginia netting only one shot on goal in the first half
• A shot from junior Renato Kauzlaric (Zagreb, Croatia) from sophomore Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) in 49th minute (48:33) went just wide of frame
• A shot from 15 yards out at the 52:10 mark by Ike Swiger went just over the top of the net for West Virginia
• A header in the box by Kingsford in 61st minute (60:54) came up just shy of finding the top of the net for Akron
• Clapier registered the Zips' first shot on goal at the 62:28 mark, a strike that was saved by Steven Tekesky
• Meyer made save off a header from Elijah Borneo in the 87th minute (86:34) as well as another stop at the 87:41 mark Aaron Denk Gracia
• Akron was outshot 5-4 in the second half, including 2-1 on goal
• Sergio Ors Navarro struck the post with a shot in the second overtime at the 103:37 mark after a save by Meyer
• Meyer secured the shutout with another save in the 110th minute (109:11) off the foot of Swiger
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Oct. 6) (.756), with an overall record of 219-59-35. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 207-65-43 (.725), Wake Forest, 200-64-38 (.725), North Carolina, 199-68-45 (.710) and Creighton, 193-78-29 (.692). Akron 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 13 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including 17 of the past 20 seasons.
MEYER NAMED TO TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM'S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Akron goalkeeper Will Meyer was honored by TopDrawerSoccer.Com to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week it was announced on Oct. 4.
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Meyer was outstanding in net for the Zips in a 0-0 double-overtime draw at No. 3 West Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 30, garnering his second consecutive shutout and third of the season. Meyer registered four of his game-high five saves in the second half and overtime, including a pair of stops in the second overtime session.
AKRON ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SCHEDULING CHANGE
Akron announced an upcoming scheduling for its game with Bowling Green originally slated for Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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The showdown between the Zips and Falcons will now take place a day earlier on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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Tickets for the original scheduled date will be honored for the tilt on Oct. 22.
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ZIPS TIDBITS
• Thursday's contest versus Georgia Southern represents the 250th career game in the coaching career of head coach Jared Embick and 175th on the Akron sidelines as head coach.
• Senior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) enters play versus Georgia Southern one game shy of cracking the top-10 in games played at Akron having appeared in 83 career contests during his decorated Zips' career.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in five of Akron's nine games this season.
• Junior Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) made his 2021 debut for the Zips at Ohio State following offseason surgery.
• The Zips set season-high marks in goals (7), assists (8), points (22) and shots on goal in a 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26, while establishing top marks in shots (24) and corner kicks (18) in a 3-0 triumph past Robert Morris on Sept. 3.
• Ten different Zips have scored a goal this season.
• With tallies against Wright State and Michigan State freshman Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) became the first Zip to score goals in back-to-back games since Diogo Pacheco did so last season at Kentucky and versus Marshall.
• Diogo Pacheco's along with Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald have registered multiple assists in a game for Akron this season.
• Led by a two-goal effort from Ryan Kingsford), three Akron newcomers scored goals in the Zips' 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26. Joining Kingsford was Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Renato Kauzlaric.
• Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald each registered a pair of assists for Akron against Wright State.
• Garnering their first collegiate points in the Zips' 7-1 victory over Wright State on Aug. 26 was Renato Kauzlaric (one goal and two assists), Ryan Kingsford (two goals), redshirt sophomore Ivan Nikolic (Toronto, Ontario) (one goal) and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (one goal and one assist).
• Daniel Strachan is rated fourth among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 82 games.
• Sixteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including seven newcomers.
• Akron ranks 19th in the NCAA in assists per game (2.62), while rating 22nd in corner kicks (6.67), 24th in save percentage (.800), 25th in total assists (21), 28th in goals against average (.741), 38th in goal differential (9) and 39th in points per contest (5.89).
• Will Meyer is ranked 28th in the NCAA in goals against average (.741), 36th in shutouts (3) and 40th in save percentage (.788).
• The Zips are 1-1-2 versus ranked teams this season having best No. 3 Pitt, 2-1, on Sept. 6, garnering a 1-1 double-overtime draw with No. 3 Indiana on Sept. 10, dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 5 Marshall on Sept. 21 and battling No. 3 West Virginia to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 30.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 24-4-1 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 39-6-2 mark versus league foes at home.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its homestand battling Georgia State in a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Oct. 9.
No. 13 Akron (5-2-2, 0-0-1 MAC) vs. Georgia Southern (4-5-0, 0-0-0 MAC)
Thursday, Oct. 7
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: First Meeting
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 13th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team commences a six-game homestand this week as the Zips welcome Mid-American Conference newcomer Georgia Southern to FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 7. The 7 p.m. showdown with the Eagles will be broadcast on ESPN3 with David Bacon calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Georgia Southern: John Murphy (Bridgewater State), Overall Record: 84-86-22 (11th Season)/GSU Record: 36-46-9 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 156-67-27 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 109-46-19 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Georgia Southern enters action this Thursday with a 4-5-0 ledger on the heels on a 1-0 double-overtime setback versus Stetson on Sept. 28.
The Eagles are led offensively by junior Adam Davie, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), assists (2), points (6), shots (24), shots on goal (10) and game-winners (1), while junior Mauro Gutierrez-Solis also boast team-best totals in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6). Junior goalkeeper Jokull Blaengsson has recorded 22 saves en route to posting a 1.82 goals against average as part of a pair of shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Georgia Southern are meeting for the first time in program history.
AKRON BATTLES NO. 3 WEST VIRGINIA TO 0-0 DOUBLE-OT DRAW IN MAC OPENER
The 14th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team garnered a result in its Mid-American Conference opener as the Zips battled No. 3 West Virginia to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 30.
Â
In a tilt dominated by defense, the Mountaineers finished the evening posting an 11-7 margin in shots, including a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.
Â
Senior goalkeeper Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) was stellar in net for Akron registering a game-high five saves, including a pair in the double-overtime period, en route to earning his third shutout of the season and his second straight.
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Freshman Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) led the Zips with a game-high two shots.
Akron posted its fifth consecutive shutout at West Virginia in the regular season earning the result this evening.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
• Shot by Luke McCormick at 9:25 mark from 10 yards out deflects off a diving save by Will Meyer pinged off the crossbar and is cleared out by the Zips' defense
• West Virginia had a goal waved off in the 15th minute (14:09) on an offsides call
• A Mountaineer shot by Frederik Jorgensen at the 22:31 mark went just wide of the corner of the net from 12 yards out
• Akron was outshot in the initial stanza by a 4-1 margin, with West Virginia netting only one shot on goal in the first half
• A shot from junior Renato Kauzlaric (Zagreb, Croatia) from sophomore Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) in 49th minute (48:33) went just wide of frame
• A shot from 15 yards out at the 52:10 mark by Ike Swiger went just over the top of the net for West Virginia
• A header in the box by Kingsford in 61st minute (60:54) came up just shy of finding the top of the net for Akron
• Clapier registered the Zips' first shot on goal at the 62:28 mark, a strike that was saved by Steven Tekesky
• Meyer made save off a header from Elijah Borneo in the 87th minute (86:34) as well as another stop at the 87:41 mark Aaron Denk Gracia
• Akron was outshot 5-4 in the second half, including 2-1 on goal
• Sergio Ors Navarro struck the post with a shot in the second overtime at the 103:37 mark after a save by Meyer
• Meyer secured the shutout with another save in the 110th minute (109:11) off the foot of Swiger
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Oct. 6) (.756), with an overall record of 219-59-35. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 207-65-43 (.725), Wake Forest, 200-64-38 (.725), North Carolina, 199-68-45 (.710) and Creighton, 193-78-29 (.692). Akron 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 13 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including 17 of the past 20 seasons.
MEYER NAMED TO TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM'S NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Akron goalkeeper Will Meyer was honored by TopDrawerSoccer.Com to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week it was announced on Oct. 4.
Â
Meyer was outstanding in net for the Zips in a 0-0 double-overtime draw at No. 3 West Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 30, garnering his second consecutive shutout and third of the season. Meyer registered four of his game-high five saves in the second half and overtime, including a pair of stops in the second overtime session.
AKRON ANNOUNCES UPCOMING SCHEDULING CHANGE
Akron announced an upcoming scheduling for its game with Bowling Green originally slated for Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
The showdown between the Zips and Falcons will now take place a day earlier on Friday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
Tickets for the original scheduled date will be honored for the tilt on Oct. 22.
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ZIPS TIDBITS
• Thursday's contest versus Georgia Southern represents the 250th career game in the coaching career of head coach Jared Embick and 175th on the Akron sidelines as head coach.
• Senior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) enters play versus Georgia Southern one game shy of cracking the top-10 in games played at Akron having appeared in 83 career contests during his decorated Zips' career.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in five of Akron's nine games this season.
• Junior Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) made his 2021 debut for the Zips at Ohio State following offseason surgery.
• The Zips set season-high marks in goals (7), assists (8), points (22) and shots on goal in a 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26, while establishing top marks in shots (24) and corner kicks (18) in a 3-0 triumph past Robert Morris on Sept. 3.
• Ten different Zips have scored a goal this season.
• With tallies against Wright State and Michigan State freshman Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) became the first Zip to score goals in back-to-back games since Diogo Pacheco did so last season at Kentucky and versus Marshall.
• Diogo Pacheco's along with Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald have registered multiple assists in a game for Akron this season.
• Led by a two-goal effort from Ryan Kingsford), three Akron newcomers scored goals in the Zips' 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26. Joining Kingsford was Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Renato Kauzlaric.
• Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald each registered a pair of assists for Akron against Wright State.
• Garnering their first collegiate points in the Zips' 7-1 victory over Wright State on Aug. 26 was Renato Kauzlaric (one goal and two assists), Ryan Kingsford (two goals), redshirt sophomore Ivan Nikolic (Toronto, Ontario) (one goal) and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (one goal and one assist).
• Daniel Strachan is rated fourth among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 82 games.
• Sixteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including seven newcomers.
• Akron ranks 19th in the NCAA in assists per game (2.62), while rating 22nd in corner kicks (6.67), 24th in save percentage (.800), 25th in total assists (21), 28th in goals against average (.741), 38th in goal differential (9) and 39th in points per contest (5.89).
• Will Meyer is ranked 28th in the NCAA in goals against average (.741), 36th in shutouts (3) and 40th in save percentage (.788).
• The Zips are 1-1-2 versus ranked teams this season having best No. 3 Pitt, 2-1, on Sept. 6, garnering a 1-1 double-overtime draw with No. 3 Indiana on Sept. 10, dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 5 Marshall on Sept. 21 and battling No. 3 West Virginia to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 30.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 24-4-1 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 39-6-2 mark versus league foes at home.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its homestand battling Georgia State in a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday, Oct. 9.
Players Mentioned
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MF
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GK
/ Men's Soccer
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MF/F
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MF
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