Sparked by a three-goal evening from Adam Najem, the Akron men’s soccer team registered a 5-1 exhibition victory past Sigma FC on Saturday, April 18, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
Sigma FC, a Canadian soccer academy based in Toronto, Ontario, which competes in Leauge1 Ontario, scored the game’s first goal to take an early 1-0 lead on what proved to be its only shot on goal of the half at the 7:57 mark.
Less than four minutes later in the 12th minute, Najem netted the equalizer off an assist from Bryce Cregan.
The Zips went ahead for good in the contest when Najem struck for his second goal of the half at the 14:10 mark courtesy of an assist by Stuart Holthusen.
Capping the hat trick with his third goal in the 21st minute was Najem. Registering the assist on the tally was Sam Gainford.
Adi Dakwar extended Akron’s lead to 4-1 at the 33:46 mark redirecting a shot by Gainford that deflected off the hands of Sigma FC’s goalkeeper.
The Zips outshot Sigma FC in the initial stanza, 20-3, including 14-1 on goal.
Brent Nanchoff gave Akron a 5-1 lead in the 68th minute with a goal off a free kick.
The Zips finished the half outshooting Sigma FC, 12-4, including 4-0 on net.
On the evening, Akron registered a 32-7 advantage in shots, including 18-1 on goal.
“I thought tonight was about developing the right mentality that we’re going to need in the fall to dominate games for 90 minutes,” Akron head coach Jared Embick commented.
The Zips close out their exhibition campaign hosting VCU for a pair of games on April 26 at 5 and 7 p.m.
