The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, September 18
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
4-0-2, 0-0-1
0
vs
0
Butler
0-6-2, 0-0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Akron | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sam Bunch played all 90 minutes of the Zips' scoreless draw with Butler in their BIG EAST opener.
Men's Soccer Notches Scoreless Draw Against Butler in BIG EAST Opener
September 18 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio — The Akron men's soccer team notched a scoreless draw against Butler to open BIG EAST play at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Zips outshot the Bulldogs, 22-4, and had 10 corner kick opportunities compared to one for Butler but could not find the back of the net.
Akron did not get their first shot on goal until the 36th minute and totaled four on net in the first half. Four shots on goal also occurred in the second frame.
Tyler Morck got off five shots with three on net to lead the Zips against a Butler team that played with five defensive players on the back line for the majority of the match. Brett Kaminski made one save — which came in the first half — on the night.
The best chances the Zips had were in the first minute after two quick shots from Londen Sears — who was a last-minute addition to the starting lineup in place of Thomas O'Rourke — and three shots from Sears, Remi Agunbiade and Aiden Benitez, respectively, in the 87th minute.
"A lot of times, we received the ball and then [Butler] just won the duel whether it was a one on one or knocking us off balance," head coach Jared Embick said. "We just didn't win those battles. When we had some strong plays, there were moments where we looked dangerous. You have to sprint through the backline and beat them to spots and counter press quickly. We didn't do that well enough, and that's what you get."
Butler assistant coach Perry Kitchen made his first appearance in Akron since he helped the Zips win the 2010 national title. Kitchen started 25 matches for Akron in his lone collegiate season before being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He spent over a decade playing professionally before beginning a coaching career. He was teammates on the 2010 team with current Zips assistant coach Michael Nanchoff, and Embick was an assistant for the squad at the time.
Up Next
Akron will stay at home and play Robert Morris on Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. in a non-conference matchup.
The Zips outshot the Bulldogs, 22-4, and had 10 corner kick opportunities compared to one for Butler but could not find the back of the net.
Akron did not get their first shot on goal until the 36th minute and totaled four on net in the first half. Four shots on goal also occurred in the second frame.
Tyler Morck got off five shots with three on net to lead the Zips against a Butler team that played with five defensive players on the back line for the majority of the match. Brett Kaminski made one save — which came in the first half — on the night.
The best chances the Zips had were in the first minute after two quick shots from Londen Sears — who was a last-minute addition to the starting lineup in place of Thomas O'Rourke — and three shots from Sears, Remi Agunbiade and Aiden Benitez, respectively, in the 87th minute.
"A lot of times, we received the ball and then [Butler] just won the duel whether it was a one on one or knocking us off balance," head coach Jared Embick said. "We just didn't win those battles. When we had some strong plays, there were moments where we looked dangerous. You have to sprint through the backline and beat them to spots and counter press quickly. We didn't do that well enough, and that's what you get."
Butler assistant coach Perry Kitchen made his first appearance in Akron since he helped the Zips win the 2010 national title. Kitchen started 25 matches for Akron in his lone collegiate season before being drafted No. 3 overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft. He spent over a decade playing professionally before beginning a coaching career. He was teammates on the 2010 team with current Zips assistant coach Michael Nanchoff, and Embick was an assistant for the squad at the time.
Up Next
Akron will stay at home and play Robert Morris on Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. in a non-conference matchup.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF/D
/ Men's SoccerTeam Stats
BUT
AKR
Goals
0
0
Shots
4
22
Shots on Goal
1
8
Saves
8
1
Corners
1
10
Fouls
11
10
Game Leaders
mid
Shots
5
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Saturday, September 19
Friday, September 18
Wednesday, September 09
Tuesday, September 08
