The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Men's soccer starts MAC play this weekend

” The University of Akron men’s soccer team has started off the season by posting an impressive (6-0-0) record. A 1-0 win over a No.8 ranked Indiana as well as a 1-0 win over a then No. 21 Tulsa team have highlighted the Zip’s schedule thus far. With a sweep over the weekend, the Zips are now ranked number one in all five major polls.”

The University of Akron men’s soccer team has started off the season by posting an impressive (6-0-0) record.

A 1-0 win over a No.8 ranked Indiana as well as a 1-0 win over a then No. 21 Tulsa team have highlighted the Zip’s schedule thus far.

With a sweep over the weekend, the Zips are now ranked number one in all five major polls.

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These polls include, National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas, Soccer Times, Soccer America, Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News.

With such a great reputation to uphold, the team needs to ensure that they play against MAC opponents well, and not overlook them.

The Zips will start off against MAC teams this weekend as they host the Bowling Green State University Falcons.

Last year the Zips knocked off BGSU by a score of 2-0 at Bowling Green.

Midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong scored one of the goals in that game and is already making strides this year with a goal already under his belt.

The lead in goals scored this year is shared by two players. Teal Bunbury and Yoram Mwila each have found the net three times.

So far I feel like I’ve been playing well and I still have lots to contribute to the team, Bunbury said.

Bunbury was named to the Top Drawer Soccer team of the week, along with his teammate, freshman defender, Zarek Valentin.

It feels good. I’m happy about it, but I’m not really thinking about it, Bunbury said. I’m out there to do my job and play the game of soccer. I just want to go out there play well and be able to win games.

Bunbury is stepping into a higher role this year filling the shoes of Steve Zakuani who now plays with the Major League Soccer team, the Seattle Sounders.

Steve Zakuani was a great player, Bunbury said. This year I feel we have such a deep team that each of us need to contribute. It’s a team effort and with the help of other we’ll get it done.

Bunbury is doing a good job as he leads the team in goals, as well as dominating in shots.

I feel that it is coming a lot from practice. Our coaches are emphasizing for us to get more shots off and it is my duty as a striker to get my shots off, Bunbury said.

Bunbury will be coming off a game where he scored two goals against St. Louis.

After Bunbury’s second goal he put on a humorous celebration where teammate Ben Zemanski pretended to defibrillate Bunbury after he fell to the ground.

We were goofing around and just came about it at the spur of the moment. I felt tournament weekend would be a good showcase for it, Bunbury said.

BGSU is not to be overlooked as they are led by forward/midfielder Cameron Hepple.

Hepple had a hat trick versus Dayton and has five goals on the season.

Hepple has also been named to the MAC player of the week list this week.

The Zips have dominated the MAC recently and have won the MAC tournament the past two years.

The University of Akron Athletics Department has issued a promotion for this week’s game.

Athletics has teamed up with the MLS team, the Columbus Crew to offer a great soccer opportunity to remember.

For twenty dollars you can receive a ticket to the BGSU game this Saturday, as well as a ticket to watch the Crew face off against the Seattle Sounders.

After the Crew game, you will have a chance to meet former Zip star, Steve Zakuani.

Zakuani was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 MLS Draft.

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