Soccer captures MAC title

By Jackson Cline, [email protected]

The University of Akron men’s soccer team (10-5-3) captured its 12th straight Mid-American Conference title Saturday after taking down Western Michigan by a score of 3-0.

After going into the game tied with Bowling Green for the lead in the conference, the Zips would jump the Falcons to become the outright champions after Bowling Green finished its MAC schedule with a 0-0 draw versus Buffalo.

Before the match Saturday evening, Akron honored its five seniors who would be playing their last regular season match for the Zips: Danilo Radjen, Goncalo Soares, Tyler Sanda, and the two senior captains Brad Ruhaak and Adam Najem.

The Zips put on a great performance to end the regular season. Junior Stuart Holthusen picked up right where he left off last game, scoring in the 17th minute to give the Zips an early 1-0 lead going into the second half.

It wasn’t until the 63rd minute that the Zips, through Holthusen, would score once again. After receiving the ball right in front of the goal, he was able to knock it in for his sixth goal of the season. The goal came off an assist from teammate Jonathan Lewis, which was his team-leading eighth assist this year.

Lewis would get one more assist on the night, setting up teammate Ezana Kahsay for the final goal of the night in the 85th minute. It was the third goal of the season for Kahsay. Sophomore goalkeeper Ben Lundt registered two saves on the night for his ninth shutout so far this season.

The Zips will host the MAC tournament this coming weekend. Action will start off with Buffalo taking on Bowling Green at 4 p.m. followed by Akron facing Western Michigan once again at 7 p.m. The championship game will be Sunday at 1 p.m. Everybody come out and support your Zips as they look to capture the MAC Championship.