Zips Golden as Five Score in Offensive Barrage vs. Colonials

Tuesday, September 22

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

5-0-2, 0-0-1

Robert Morris

4-3-2, 1-0-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Robert Morris	0	2	2
Akron	4	1	5

Postgame Press Conference

Farrel Ngongang celebrates Akron's first goal against RMU.

Zips Golden as Five Score in Offensive Barrage vs. Colonials

September 22 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Noah Tylutki, Associate Director of Athletics Communications

AKRON, Ohio — The Akron men's soccer team was golden in their 5-2 rout of Robert Morris from FirstEnergy Stadium.

Wearing gold-on-gold uniforms for the first time since 2021, five different goal scorers found the back of the net for the Zips.

"In the past, we've had some guys carry the load offensively," head coach Jared Embick said. "I think this year, we have a bunch of guys that have scored and contributed. We have guys that have done it off the bench as well. That depth of balance and scoring makes it hard to prepare for us. We have guys that are capable of stepping up any day."

Akron got off to a fast start on a misty night, with Farrel Ngongang notching the Zips' first goal in the eighth minute. Matt Dreas found the back of the net six minutes later on a double assist in the box from Sam Bunch and Matthew Paiva to give Akron a 2-0 lead.

Butler transfer Aiden Benitez notched his first goal for Akron in the 33rd minute, and Paiva collected his first of the season seven minutes later for a 4-0 advantage that stood into the intermission.

The Zips gave up a penalty kick goal in the 52nd minute and another score nine minutes after but tacked one on for good measure in the 65th minute from Cole Perez who scored his first collegiate goal on a header off a corner kick pass from Braxton Hayes.

Akron put up a whopping 35 shots on the Colonials compared to just four for the visitors — the most in a match since November 29, 2015 when they had 40 against SMU. The Zips also recorded 17 shots on goal against RMU with 11 corner kick opportunities.

Twenty-three Zips saw time, including Kael Taylor who relieved Brett Kaminski in net with 12 minutes to go. The freshman recorded two saves in his collegiate debut. Leo Morana also notched two assists.

Up Next
The Zips will be tested by Georgetown, as the Hoyas are ranked No. 5 in the latest USC Coaches Poll. The match is set for Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m. from FirstEnergy Stadium.