“A (7-9-2) overall record and a (2-7-2) MAC record isn’t exactly what head coach Chris Pfau was hoping for in his first season at Akron, but it was progress. Pfau is now in his second season as head coach and is looking to improve with a team that he is still getting used to.”
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A (7-9-2) overall record and a (2-7-2) MAC record isn’t exactly what head coach Chris Pfau was hoping for in his first season at Akron, but it was progress.

Pfau is now in his second season as head coach and is looking to improve with a team that he is still getting used to.

I think they are used to my style of play now. I think we had a great spring and not only are they getting used to me but I am getting to know them. I think it takes some time and I believe now we are all on the same page.

The spring season for the Zips went well as they posted a (6-2-0) record with loses only to tough opponents Pittsburgh and Cleveland State.

Although the team was so successful in preseason, Pfau is still not sure the success will carry over to the regular season.

We still have a lot of questions to get answered about players and where they will be on the field. I believe it will take us games into the regular season to figure this out. Our goal is to have all the answers by the time we hit conference.

A team that consists of 19 letter winners and nine returning starters should have no problem working with each other to win as many games as possible.

Some players to keep an eye on will be midfielder Leigh Cullen, forward Jordan Baranowski, forward Heather Rains and forward Britni Back.

All four of these players had a successful preseason and coach Pfau feels that they are bound to have a great fall.

The fall season will be a tough one for the Zips as they will face a tough out of conference schedule.

Games against Kentucky, Nebraska and Cincinnati are three games that will challenge the Zips in the upcoming season.

These games should prepare the team for success in the MAC later in the season.

I have no idea how we will do, but that is why I scheduled these teams. For us to get to the next level we have to play teams of this caliber year in and year out. We have to play great teams and get tested to find out our strengths and weakness. This is the only way we will get ready for our conference games.

The team has a goal of winning a MAC championship and they will do so by any means necessary.

Pfau said that the team will be, Very competitive and we want to be in the top 3 in the conference by the time we are done. I think we learned a lot last season and as long as we stay together as a team, we are good enough to compete with anyone.

It helps that the Zips came into camp in August ready to play.

The team came in very fit and looks sharper than it did at this time a year ago. Many of the things we worked on during the spring are showing through and the freshman are blending in nicely, as well, said Pfau.

Hopefully hard work in the offseason and a successful preseason will lead to Zips to a MAC championship.

Pfau is especially looking forward to a good second season as head coach at Akron.

I am very excited about the upcoming season. We have come a long way as a group and now they know what it will take to compete in our conference. We have a nice mix of returning players and freshman that will continue to grow the women’s soccer program.

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