Akron Commences 2022 Campaign at No. 18 Florida International

Akron (0-0-0) at No. 18 Florida International (0-0-0)
Thursday, Aug. 25
FIU Soccer Stadium
Miami, Fla. • 7 p.m.

Series History: Series Tied 1-1-1
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Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats: www.GoZips.com

WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team opens its 2022 fall campaign on Thursday, Aug. 25 as the Zips travel to Miami, Fla., to battle No. 18 Florida International. The 7 p.m. showdown with the Panthers will be broadcast on YouTube.com.

HEAD COACHES
Florida International: Kyle Russell (Coastal Carolina, 2009), Overall Record: 16-8-3 (Third Season), Record at FIU: 16-8-3 (Third Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 160-71-28 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 113-50-20 (10th Season)

SCOUTING FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Florida International enters action on Thursday, Aug. 25, on the heels of a 12-4-2 record a season ago en route to earning a No. 13 national seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers suffered a 3-2 setback to Wake Forest in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Florida International returns its top-two leading scorers from 2022 in senior Stephen Afrifa and sophomore Bernardo Dos Santos. The duo registered eight and seven goals, respectively, on the strength 85 combined shots, including 35 on goal. Senior goalkeeper Tyler Hogan appeared in 11 games for Florida International this past season, including 11 starts, and pulled in 32 saves en route to posting a 1.34 goals against average.

The Panthers ranked second in the NCAA in shots per game (17.0), sixth in shots on goal per contest (7.22), 10th in scoring offense (2.33), 13th in points per tilt (6.83), 18th in goal differential (21), 19th in winning percentage (.722), assists per outing (2.17) and total goals (42), 20th in total points (123), 28th in total assists (39) and 38th in shutout percentage (.389).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Florida International for the fourth time in program history and second on the road with series all square at 1-1-1. 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., and a battled the Panthers to a 1-1 double-overtime draw at FirstEnergy Stadium on Oct. 5, 2019.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 5, 2019 - AKRON, OHIO)
Akron was unable to score a golden goal and settled for a 1-1 double-overtime draw with No. 10 Florida International on Oct. 5, 2019 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Akron registered 22 shots, including posting a 7-2 edge in shots on goal, while limiting the Panthers to 10 shots.

Junior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) garnered six shots for the Zips, including three on goal to spark the offensive efforts for Akron. Alessandro Campoy directed FIU with a team-high five shots.

Tor Saunders nearly collected his fourth career shutout in the match before finishing the contest with one save.

The continued offensive pressure for Akron paid off at the 42:33 mark when David Egbo was taken down in the box by Gagliardi after a strong pass in stride from Jaden Wright. Egbo stepped to the line and successfully converted the penalty kick to send the Zips into the intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Akron posted a 10-2 margin in shots in the opening 45 minutes of play.

The Zips were forced to adjust their line-up late in the game and the Panthers capitalized swinging the momentum of the match slightly in their favor registering a 5-3 edge over the final 20 minutes of regulation.

FIU netted the equalizer at the 86:30 mark when Andrew Booth headed home his fourth goal of the season.

The Panthers appeared to garner the golden goal off the foot of Booth at the 93:25 mark only to see the tally disallowed after FIU was whistled for an offsides call.

ZIPS IN SEASON OPENERS
Now in its 68th season of intercollegiate soccer in 2022, the Akron men's soccer team have posted a record of 40-19-8 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 5-3-2 mark in season openers.

A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.748), with an overall record of 223-63-36. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 211-67-44 (.734), Wake Forest, 208-67-38 (.728), North Carolina, 202-71-46 (.719) and Creighton, 199-81-30 (.710). 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 their last 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 34 times, including 18 of the past 21 seasons.

AKRON INTRODUCES CLEAR BAG POLICY
University of Akron Athletics in conjunction with increased security measures on the campus of The University of Akron has established a clear bag policy at all its athletic venues for the 2022-23 year.

In alignment with many of the area's professional organizations, Akron has instituted new clear bag policy where approved bags include clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed a size of 12 inches wide by 12 inches high and 6 inches deep. Other approved bags include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc bag or similar), medical bags and small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.

Prohibited bags include backpacks, binocular cases, camera cases, fanny packs, large-printed bags, mesh bags, purses and tinted plastic bags.

UP NEXT
Akron welcomes VCU to FirstEnergy Stadium for its home opener on Monday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.

Akron Commences 2022 Campaign at No. 18 Florida International

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Players Mentioned

Will Jackson

Jaden Wright

The University of Akron Athletics