Zips Ready For College Cup Showdown Against Michigan State
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Live Stream: ESPNU
Television: ESPNU
Santa Barbra, Calif. - The second-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team continues its quest for its second-ever NCAA Championship on Friday, Dec. 7, as the Zips travel to Santa Barbara, Calif. to face fourth-rated Michigan State in the semifinal round of the College Cup as part of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship. The 8 p.m. ET contest will be broadcast on the ESPNU Network.
Akron maintains a 32-26-9 mark in 67 matches in NCAA Championship history, including capturing the school's first national championship in any sport in 2010. The Zips are 11-3-3 under head coach Jared Embick. Since 2005, Akron owns a 23-6-9 ledger.
Michigan State enters play on Friday, Dec. 7, versus the Zips having won its last four matches, following a 2-1 victory over James Madison in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 1. Senior Ryan Sierakowski directs the offensive exploits for the Spartans owning team-high marks in goals (8), points (21), shots (43) and game-winners (4), while ranking second in assists (5) and shots on goal (20). Senior goalkeeper Jimmy Hague has recorded 79 saves and posted nine shutouts, while maintaining a 0.66 goals against average this season.
As a team, Michigan State is ranked sixth in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.86), ninth in total assists (44), 10th in save percentage (.827), 13th in winning percentage (.727),18th in assists per game (2.00), 20th in goals against average (.734) and in total points (114), 26th in total goals (35), 31st in points per contest (5.18), 36th in shutout percentage (.409) and 50th in scoring offense (1.59). Individually, Hague is fourth in minutes played (2,060:58), ninth in shutouts (9), 10th in save percentage (.840), 11th in goals against average (.655) and 18th in total saves (79), while junior Giuseppe Barone is seventh in total assists (10) and 33rd in assists per game (0.45).
Akron is encountering Michigan State for the 54th time in program history with the Zips owning a 28-13-12 series advantage. Earlier this season, the Zips posted a 2-1 triumph over the eighth-rated Spartans on Oct. 9, 2018 in East Lansing, Mich. Akron and Michigan State have met three times in NCAA Tournament play (1966, 1967 and 1968).
