Sports Preview 11-3-16

By Jake Allen, Sports Editor

Men’s Soccer– The University of Akron men’s soccer team will host Western Michigan on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field in Akron. It will be the final regular season game of the season for the Zips men’s team.

The Zips enter the game with a record of 9-5-3 after their 3-2 double-overtime win over Grand Canyon on Wednesday. This will be their fifth and final conference game of the season, where they hold a 2-1-1 record.

The Broncos come in with a 9-4-4 record on the season, and they are just 1-0-3 in Mid-American Conference play. Western Michigan is coming off a 2-1 victory over West Virginia on Oct. 29. The Mountaineers beat the Zips 3-1 on Oct. 22.

It will be senior night for the Zips, and they will honor seniors Danilo Radjen (Broadview Heights, Ohio), Adam Najem (Clifton, New Jersey), Brad Ruhaak (Akron), and Goncalo Soares (Lisbon, Portugal).

Women’s Basketball- The University of Akron women’s basketball team will begin its season on Saturday in its only exhibition game of the season. The team will play the Walsh University Cavaliers at 12 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.

The Zips will look to go deep into the MAC Tournament again this season, after reaching the semifinals last season, losing to eventual champion Buffalo.

Preseason All-MAC East Division player Hannah Plybon will look to lead the Zips this season after scoring 16 points per game last year and setting the record for most three-pointers made in a single season.

Forwards Greta Burry and Alli Ball are returning from last season alongside guards Alex Ricketts and Megan Sefcik. In addition, the team has six incoming freshmen, and each looks to earn playing time under head coach Jodi Kest.

Following the exhibition, the Zips will begin their season next Saturday at home versus Malone University.

Swimming and Diving– The Zips’ swimming and diving team will look to continue its excellent play on Friday when its travels to meet The University at Buffalo at 5 p.m.

The Zips are coming off a 208-89 victory over Ball State last Thursday. It was a dominant effort for the Zips, who won the 200 Yard Medley Relay from the team of Madison Myers, Paloma Marrero, Sadie Fazekas, and Susan Franz.

Then, the Zips won numerous individual events: Kara Kaulius in the 1,000 Yard Freestyle, Emma King in the 200 Yard Freestyle, Luka Szynal in the 100 Yard Backstroke, Mackenzie Vargas in the 200 Yard Butterfly, Fazekas in the 50 Yard Freestyle, and several others.

This is the Zips’ final meet before the Magnus Cup Invitational in Cleveland from Nov. 18 to 20.