Men's Soccer: University of Akron Classic
September 04, 2008 04:24 PM | General
By Ira Green for MSNsportsNET.com
September 4, 2008
Game Notes
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men’s soccer team will play in its first game of the University of Akron Classic on Friday, Sept. 5, at Lee Jackson Field in Akron, Ohio. The Mountaineers’ first game in the Classic comes against No. 5 Akron at 7:30 p.m.
The Mountaineers’ (0-1-1) second match of the Classic is slated for Sunday, Sept. 7, against Wisconsin-Green Bay.
West Virginia finished the West Virginia University Classic on Sunday, Aug. 31, with a double-overtime scoreless tie against Duquesne. The Mountaineers played aggressively in all 110 minutes of action and put pressure on the Dukes with numerous scoring chances, but had trouble solving Duquesne’s goalkeeper, Chris Torres. Sophomore goalkeeper Zach Johnson recorded four saves and a shutout in the contest. WVU outshot the Dukes, 13-9.
The Zips are 1-0-1, posting a 3-0 win against then third-ranked Notre Dame. Recently, Akron went in double-overtime with then seventh-ranked Indiana, ending in a scoreless draw. Returning to a lethal lineup are Steve Zakuani and Anthony Ampaipitakwong, both 2007 College Soccer News All-Freshman Team honorees. Zakuani and Ampaipitakwong each have a goal and assist this season. Goalkeeper Evan Bush is perfect in 200 minutes between the posts, not allowing a goal to slide by and making seven saves in two matches.
Wisconsin-Green Bay is 0-2 this season after falling at Michigan, 4-3, and at Oakland, 1-0. The Phoenix are led by Tosaint Ricketts, who leads the team with two goals and seven shots. Goalkeeper Adam Stikl has allowed five goals in 180 minutes of play.
Amongst the players WVU will be without entering the Classic are senior Donald La Guerre, juniors Chase Dewese and Tony Lindroos, sophomore Dan Hagey and freshman Connor Gorman.
Akron leads West Virginia, 6-2, in the all-time series, while the Mountaineers and the Phoenix will be meeting for the first time.
