Zips Ready For NCAA Title Match
Story Courtesy of Akron Sports Information
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 Sunday, Dec. 9, as the Zips travel to Santa Barbara, Calif. to face third-rated Maryland in the championship match 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 will play for the national title for the fourth time in program history and first since 2010 on the strength of the squad's ninth consecutive triumph.
Maryland enters play on Sunday, Dec. 9, versus the Zips having won its last four matches, following a 2-0 victory over Indiana in the semifinal round of the NCAA Tournament on Dec. 7. Senior Amar Sejdic directs the offensive exploits for the Terrapins owning team-high marks in goals (7), points (15), shots (62), shot on goal (32) and game-winners (2). Redshirt junior goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has recorded 79 saves and posted 11 shutouts, while maintaining a 0.71 goals against average this season.
As a team, Maryland is ranked ninth in the NCAA in save percentage (.833) and shutout percentage (.545), 15th in goals against average (.684), 37th in total assists (31), 44th in winning percentage (.636) and 50th in total points (89). Individually, St. Clair is fourth in shutouts (11), fifth in minutes played (2,104:55), 12th in goals against average (.684), 13th in save percentage (.830) and 20th in total saves (78).
Akron is encountering Maryland for the fifth time in program history with the Zips owning a 2-1-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron posted a 3-2 victory past the then No. 6 Terrapins on Sept. 7, 2015 in College Park, Md. The Zips and Maryland have met twice in NCAA Tournament play (2003 and 2005). The Terrapins edged Akron, 1-0, in the third round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament. In the quarterfinals of the 2005 NCAA Tournament, the Zips and Maryland battled to a 1-1 draw before the Terrapins advanced to the College Cup on penalty kicks, 4-1.
