“The University of Akron men’s soccer team ended their season opening weekend undefeated and nationally ranked. The Zips won the Westfield Insurance Cup with wins against Alabama-Birmingham (1-0) and 10th ranked New Mexico (3-1). Steve Zakuani scored the game-winning goal against Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday in the 81st minute by redirecting teammate Michael Nanchoff’s shot on goal.”
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The University of Akron men’s soccer team ended their season opening weekend undefeated and nationally ranked.

The Zips won the Westfield Insurance Cup with wins against Alabama-Birmingham (1-0) and 10th ranked New Mexico (3-1).

Steve Zakuani scored the game-winning goal against Alabama-Birmingham on Sunday in the 81st minute by redirecting teammate Michael Nanchoff’s shot on goal.

The wins put Akron back in the national spotlight.

Following the victory over New Mexico, the Zips were named the no. 16 ranked team in the nation by Soccer America and College Rankings and no. 18 by the NCSAA/Adidas poll.

Head coach Caleb Porter knew his team had the ability to be one of the top teams in the nation again.

The Zips beat a New Mexico team that had the best winning percentage in the nation in the past three years.

Porter said the team will be most concerned with their performance and not the national rankings.

Rankings, to a point, are irrelevant so early in the season, but it gives us a lot of confidence to beat a team like New Mexico, he said.

Depth is the key to the Zips resurgence this season.

On any given day, a number of players can step up, Porter said.

Seniors Devin McKenney and Corey Sipos were the backbone that held things together while Anthony Ampaipitakwong was solid in the attacking game.

Ampai really showed what he can do this weekend, Porter said.

Ampaipitakwong earned the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week for his performance in the Westfield Insurance Cup.

He scored his first collegiate goal, the game winner against New Mexico, on Friday.

Although the Zips have piled up plenty of accolades early in the season, their schedule is unforgiving.

Friday, the Zips will travel to Winston-Salem, NC to face off against Wake Forest, the no. 1 ranked team in the nation

We are going to get a more realistic view of how good our team is, Porter said. It is important to be battle-tested and ready.

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