The Akron Zips men's soccer team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of the University of Akron. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Akron is regularly ranked in the Top 10 NSCAA Collegiate men's soccer poll. They have been ranked #1 previously in 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2016. The Zips have played their home games at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field since 1966, formerly named Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field and Cub Cadet Field. They won their first national championship in 2010.
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
History
In 1954, an Oberlin College transfer named Stu Parry started the soccer team at Akron. That year, they finished the season with two wins and one tie. The next year, men's soccer was officially offered by the university and after starting the season with two losses, they ended with a 2-4-1 record, with the team's first win coming against rival Kent State.
Parry eventually led the team to nine Ohio College Soccer Association titles as well as six NCAA playoff appearances. In 1986, the men's soccer team gained the most exposure in the NCAA tournament, finishing second to Duke by a score of 1-0. A Duke player, Ken Lolla, took over the program in 1993 and then became Akron's all-time winningest coach, with a record of 160-68-25. He also led the team to their first #1 ranking, which was also the first ever MAC team in any sport to be ranked #1.
Zips Soccer Video
Colors and badge
The team uses the school colors of blue and gold.
Stadium
Lee Jackson Field was dedicated on October 22, 1966. Along with the soccer venue, the 23-acre (93,000 m2) complex also includes fields for the school's baseball, softball, and track and field competition areas along with a practice field for the football team. The fields are located towards the southeast corner of the University of Akron campus, just west of InfoCision Stadium.
Other expansions and upgrades for the stadium have included a grandstand with seating capacity of 2,200, berm seating around the stadium with a capacity of 2,600, and lighting which meets national television specifications.
Announced in March 2011 was a partnership between The University of Akron and Cub Cadet, the premier brand of Cleveland-based MTD Products, which will rename the Zips' new, state-of-the-art grass soccer field Cub Cadet Field.
In June 2011, the field was renamed FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet field after Cub Cadet as well as First Energy plans were announced to build 300 new bleacher seats, permanent restrooms, and a concession stand along with the renaming.
Supporters
The AK-ROWDIES are a student organization which cheer on sports teams in various sports at the university. The ROWDIES were formed as an official student organization in 2005. During the soccer games, they can be found behind the goal area, heckling the opponent's goalie.
Roster
As of March 27, 2017
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Coaching staff
Notable alumni
- Conrad Earnest
- George Nanchoff (1973-1976)
- Louis Nanchoff (1974-1977)
- Benny Dargle (1975-1977)
- Shaun Pendleton (1982-1985)
- Roderick Scott (1985-88)
- Cameron Knowles (2001-04) - Retired
- Devon McKenney (2003-2007)
- Sini?a Ubiparipovi? (2004-2006) - Currently with Indy Eleven
- Evan Bush (2005-2008) - Currently with the Montreal Impact
- Justin Sadler (2005)
- Ben Zemanski (2006-2009) - Currently with the Portland Timbers
- Steve Zakuani (2006-2007) - Retired
- Chris Korb (2007-2010) - Currently with D.C. United
- Michael Nanchoff (2007-2010) - Currently with the Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Blair Gavin (2007-2009) - Currently with Arizona United
- Teal Bunbury (2008-2009) - Currently with New England Revolution
- Darlington Nagbe (2008-2010) - Currently with the Portland Timbers
- Anthony Ampaipitakwong (2007-2010) - Currently with Bangkok United
- Kofi Sarkodie (2008-2010) - Currently with the Houston Dynamo
- Zarek Valentin (2009-2010)- Currently with the Portland Timbers
- Scott Caldwell (2009-2012) - Currently with the New England Revolution
- Chad Barson (2009-2012) - Currently with Columbus Crew SC
- Darren Mattocks (2010-2011) - Currently with the Portland Timbers
- Perry Kitchen (2010) - Currently with Hearts
- DeAndre Yedlin (2011-2012) - Currently with Newcastle United,
- Wil Trapp (2011-2012) - Currently with Columbus Crew SC
- Dillon Serna (2012) - Currently with the Colorado Rapids
- Saad Abdul-Salaam (2012-2014) - Currently with Sporting KC
- Richie Laryea (2014-2015) - Currently with Orlando City SC
- Adam Najem (2013-2016) - Currently with Philadelphia Union
- Jonathan Lewis (2016) - Currently with New York City FC
Previous head coaches
Listed according to when they became head coach for Akron (year in parentheses):
- 1950s-1960s: Stu Parry (1955)
- 1970s-1980s: Bill Killen (1970), Robert Dowdy (1974), Steve Parker (1982)
- 1990s-2000s (decade): Ken Lolla (1993), Caleb Porter (2006)
Achievements
- NCAA Men's Division I Soccer Championship:
- Winners (1): 2010
- Runners-up (2): 1986, 2009
- Mid-American Conference Tournament:
- Winners (11): 1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Runners-up (4): 1995, 1997, 2001, 2006
- Mid-American Conference Regular Season:
- Winners (17): 1993, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
- Runners-up (5): 1994, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004
- Ohio College Soccer Association:
- Winners (19): 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987
- Mid-Continent Conference Regular Season:
- Winners (1): 1991
Records
- Most Goals in a game: 14 (12-2) vs. Cleveland State, September 9, 2005
- Most Goals in a half: 8 vs. Green Bay, 1986
- Lee Jackson Field attendance: 4,744 vs. Tulsa, September 22, 2010
- FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field attendance: 5,819 vs. Ohio State, September 28, 2011
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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