The 17th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team was playing for more than just a victory in its 3-0 win against Western Michigan Saturday at Lee Jackson Field. With the win, the Zips earned home-field advantage for the Mid-American Conference Tournament and will host games on Nov.
A lot has changed since 2005, the year the University of Akron athletics put itself on the map. The football team won its first Mid-American Conference Championship and the soccer team sailed to the Elite Eight, even after a shady seed by the tournament committee.
Soccer runs deep in the veins of the Moreira family. Chico Moreira, father of senior forward Pablo Moreira, played on Uruguay's national soccer team and professionally for the Chicago Sting, Cleveland Crunch and Wichita Wings. Chico was Pablo's hero growing up, and remains an influential figure in his son's soccer career.
The Zips' football team struggled offensively and defensively Friday night as it suffered its third consecutive Mid-American Conference East Division loss at Bowling Green, falling 44-20. The Zips (3-6, 2-3 MAC) were out- gained by the Falcons (5-4, 3-2 MAC) 517-435, but Akron's inability to score when inside the 20-yard line and four turnovers were the factors that crippled the Zips' chances of keeping pace with the Falcons' high-powered offense.
Newt Engle is a legend in the world of shooting. Engle is to rifle coaching like Mike Krzyzewski is to basketball coaching or Woody Hayes is to football coaching. He has been at the helm of he University of Akron's rifle team since 1977 and has no plans of stepping down any time soon.