After returning home from a three-game road trip to begin the 2014 campaign, the University of Akron men’s soccer never looked back after senior Saad Abdul-Salaam put the Zips on the board in the 33rd minute as the team held on for the 2-1 victory over UCF at their home opener on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. Photo Credit: Brent Durken/ISNSoccer.com Akron took complete control in the first half, posting seven shots with five of those on goal. Junior
In a difficult opening exhibition match to the 2014 season, the Akron Zips young roster had difficulties all night with the experienced Maryland Terrapins, losing with a final score of 3-0. The Zips coached by Jared Embick came out with some great ball movement led by Adam Najem in the center midfield. Distributing the ball to the wings and up top, the initial movement by the Zips had the Terrapins pushing back towards their own goal. Great early runs by freshmen Nate
The 2014 college soccer season officially is underway on the University of Akron campus. Early this morning the Zips hit the pitch for the first time with coaches watching over. With the seniors leading practice the first few weeks of August, this practice provided the coaches the first opportunity to see what they have to work with. With almost 30 new soccer balls, bright new pinnies, amongst other necessitates the team was in good spirits to start the day off. “The balls
September 28, 2011 was a historic milestone for the University of Akron’s FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field as a record crowd of 5,819 turned out to watch the Zips take on The Ohio State University in an epic men’s soccer match. Similar crowds of 5,241 (vs. Cleveland State) and 4,301 (vs. New Mexico) also took place in 2011. Those records are likely to be shattered when the Columbus Crew comes to town to play their U.S. Open Cup match on June 17th.
The University of Akron men’s soccer team saw its NCAA Tournament run come to an end in the second round with a 1-0 defeat to No. 9-seed Marquette in freezing temperatures and a rock-hard playing surface at Valley Fields Sunday night. After a scoreless regulation, the Golden Eagles (13-5-2) bagged the Golden Goal in the first overtime period with just 23 seconds left. Coco Navarro, who got free when an Akron defender slipped and fell to the ground, finished a long
Photo Credit: Gary L. Moody Jr./ISNSoccer.com The No. 8 University of Akron men’s soccer team took to the pitch Wednesday for their first official training session of the fall collegiate season. The program is now in the capable hands of former assistant Jared Embick, who was promoted to head coach when Caleb Porter left for the Portland Timbers. Fans shouldn’t expect a lot of changes under Embick’s watch. “With Caleb I had a great mentor so I don’t have to change much,”
University of Akron head men’s soccer coach Jared Embick announced Monday that English winger Sam Gainford has signed a national letter of intent to play for the Zips next fall. Gainford, who trained at Liverpool Academy since age 10, was a member of the club’s Under-18 team where he played forward and attacking midfield. The native of Whitehaven also played in several NextGen Series games for Liverpool U-21. He is expected to play forward for the Zips. Gainford, who will have four years of eligibility at
Many critics worried about the direction of the Akron men’s soccer program after the departure of Caleb Porter to MLS. If this signing class is any indication, there is absolutely no reason to worry. New head coach (and Porter’s former top assistant) Jared Embick is picking up where Porter left off. The future of Akron men’s soccer is very bright. As they always say “Akron doesn’t rebuild; they just reload.” That was certainly the case here as Embick officially announced the
The University of Akron men’s soccer team wrapped up its spring exhibition schedule on a strong note, playing 2012 NCAA semifinalist Maryland to a 1-1 draw at Ludwig Field Saturday. The Zips, who were playing without starters Reinaldo Brenes and Robbie Derschang due to injuries, rallied from a 1-0 deficit when Zac Portillos took a pass from Aodhan Quinn and buried the equalizer late in the match. “We came here to win so we’re not satisfied with the draw,” said UA head coach Jared Embick. “That being said, we had