Men’s Soccer

The University of Akron men’s soccer team finally gets back in action on Friday when it hosts the Buffalo Bulls at 7:30 p.m.

The Zips enter with a record of 5-3-1 overall. This will be their first conference game of the season. They will be facing a tough Buffalo squad, who come in with an 8-2-1 record.

Akron comes into the game having had a lot of rest over the past few weeks. The Zips have played just one game since Sept. 19, when they tied Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) at home on Sept. 27.

The added rest has helped the Zips get healthy, as forward Stuart Holthusen came back to play in his first game of the season against VCU, firing off six shots. Holthusen could be a major addition to a team that has struggled to score consistently, as he scored eight goals for the team last season.

Through nine games, senior midfielder Adam Najem leads the Zips with four goals, also leading the team in shots on goal with 11. The return of Holthusen might open things up for one of the best players in the country.

The Zips will travel to East Lansing, Michigan next Tuesday to play Michigan State, but will need to focus on beating Buffalo in front of its home crowd at FirstEnergy Stadium- Cub Cadet Field on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Women’s Soccer

The University of Akron women’s soccer team will host rival Kent State on Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Zips have struggled to a 3-7-2 record this season, and are just 0-2-2 in four conference games. Kent State has been excellent this season, with a record of 8-1 overall. After losing to Ohio State in their first game of the season, the Golden Flashes have won eight straight games. They are 4-0 in their Mid-American Conference games so far this season.

Goalkeeper Annabelle Hegeman stopped 11 of 14 shots that came her way in a loss to Bowling Green and a tie with Toledo this past weekend. The Zips scored two goals over the past weekend, with defender Ashley Amato scoring each goal.

The Zips will have a tough test Friday with the game against Kent State, and then they will travel to Athens, Ohio to play the Bobcats on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Bobcats have struggled as well this season, as they are just 2-8-1, including an 0-4 record against conference opponents.

It all kicks off on Friday at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field.

Volleyball

The Zips volleyball team hosts a pair of conference opponents this weekend, as they play Bowling Green on Friday and Miami University on Saturday. Start times for each game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Zips have struggled through a 5-11 start to the season, while going winless (0-4) in conference games.

The Bowling Green Falcons are 11-6 on the season, and are just 1-3 in MAC play. Finally, the Redhawks of Miami sport a solid 12-4 record, and are undefeated in the conference with a 4-0 record. Miami beat Bowling Green 3-0 on Sept. 22.

Tennis

The University of Akron tennis team will play in the Cleveland State Invitational this weekend in Cleveland. Matches start Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9 a.m.

The tournament features players from four schools: Akron, Cleveland State, Duquesne, and West Virginia. The Zips have already played against players from Cleveland State, when they faced off in the Akron Shootout from Sept. 23-25.

This is the final invitational before the team travels all the way to Malibu, California, to compete in the Oracle/ITA Masters Tournament from October 13-16.