“The University of Akron men’s soccer team has had many heroes on their run to a perfect 20-0-0 season, but one has stood above the rest. In just his second full season at the collegiate level, sophomore forward Teal Bunbury led the Zips with 37 points, 42 shots on goal and 16 goals scored.”
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The University of Akron men’s soccer team has had many heroes on their run to a perfect 20-0-0 season, but one has stood above the rest.

In just his second full season at the collegiate level, sophomore forward Teal Bunbury led the Zips with 37 points, 42 shots on goal and 16 goals scored.

He’s a physical specimen and a lethal scorer, Zips head coach Caleb Porter said. He’s worked hard at polishing his game up. He lead the team in goals and spearheaded our offense attack.

Bunbury’s success didn’t just begin this season. It dates back to an early age in his hometown of Prior Lake, Minn.

It started in high school, Bunbury said. I was an eighth grader starting on the varsity team.

As eighth graders, we were the first recruiting class at Shattuck St. Mary’s High School. As a freshman, I was the leading scorer.

Bunbury said playing at the high school level at a young age prepared him for the success he has had at the college level.

We traveled all over the country and I got to see a lot of different styles of soccer, Bunbury said. We were playing 18 and 19 year olds in 10th grade.

The success Bunbury had made him a hot commodity among recruiters, but he decided The University of Akron was his best choice.

The coaching staff really cared about me here as opposed to other schools, Bunbury said. I wanted to go to a place where soccer was a big sport with a fan base and that helped.

Bunbury chose wisely as UA is the top ranked soccer school in the NCAA tournament and draws close to 1,000 students on a given night.

Bunbury also finds himself amidst the best Zips soccer season in school history.

It shows our hard work as a team, Bunbury said. We appreciate recognition and our history, but our main focus is winning a National Championship.

Bunbury has a chance not only to lead his team to a National Championship, but also win a MAC Player of the Year Award.

It makes me feel really good, Bunbury said. It shows my hard work. My teammates are a big reason for it and I have to thank them.

I’m a striker and it’s my job to score. They’re putting me in a position to do that.

Bunbury said he is happy with the personal accolades and wants to play at the next level, but, most importantly, wants to help his team win a National Championship.

He has aspirations of playing at the next level, but he is focused on Akron and helping us win a National Championship and nothing else, Porter said. If those things fall into place he will get his opportunity to play professionally.

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