Written by: Zach West

The UA men’s soccer team has gathered tremendous momentum going into their first conference match this weekend.

The Zips recorded two shutouts in The University of Akron Tournament after recording their first loss of the season to No. 4 Notre Dame.

With two starters out, Aohdan Quinn serving a one-game suspension, and Alfred Koroma out with an illness, the Zips took the No. 13 St. John’s Red Storm to double overtime on Sept.14. The match ended in a 0-0 tie after some spectacular play by both goalkeepers.

Two days later, the Zips responded and were up to the challenge set by their coach.

“After Friday, I challenged the group to take it to another level,” head coach Caleb Porter said.

In a dominating game, the Zips took their play to another level by knocking off No. 11 South Florida 5-0. With the win, the team clinched first place in their own tournament, and two Zips, Scott Caldwell and David Meves, earned tournament honors: Offensive MVP and Defensive MVP, respectively.

After the tournament, Meves was named MAC player of the week. He recorded six saves in two games and added two shutouts to his resume, which brings his career total to 42 shutouts. He is only six away from tying the 48-shutout record set by Akron Zip Evan Bush in 2008.

The Zips will travel to Bowling Green on Saturday to take on the 2-2-2 Falcons in their MAC opener. The Falcons have recorded wins over St. Bonaventure and Cleveland State and losses to Michigan State and Wofford. They have also tallied two draws to Marshall and No. 18 Coastal Carolina.

The Zips will then play back-to-back home games at FirstEnergy Stadium-Cub Cadet Field. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Akron will host Buffalo at 7:30 p.m. They will then host Florida Atlantic on Friday, Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

The Zips will also have a mix of Big Ten action as they take on Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State throughout the rest of the season.