Disappointing 2006 season leaves Zips hungry
For the first time in six years, the men's soccer team missed last season's NCAA tournament
Josh Volchko
Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Sports
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Fortunately, for the University of Akron men's soccer team, the 2007 squad is talented and hungry.
Last season, the Zips finished 13-5-1 while claiming its ninth Mid-American Conference regular season championship.
They were defeated in the MAC tournament by Northern Illinois and finished the season unranked, causing them to miss the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000.
The 2006 season started promising, but ended in disappointment.
This year's team is eager to prove it can compete with the nation's best.
"This team has high standards and is hungry to accomplish what they feel they missed out on last season," head coach Caleb Porter said. "They have worked extremely hard in the offseason and feel they can compete with anyone in the country."
The 2007 Akron squad has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the MAC.
The Zips have 15 returning lettermen, including nine starters.
Eight of the returning lettermen were starters on the 2005 team that reached the NCAA tournament quarterfinals.
The Zips have a nice blend of experience and youth with a highly touted recruiting class.
The recruiting class was ranked No. 5 in the nation by CollegeSoccerNews.com and is considered the best recruiting class ever at UA.
Players like Steve Zakuani, London, England; Anthony Ampaipitakwong Carrollton, Texas; Blair Gavin, Franklin, Tenn.; Aaron Henkle, Carmel, Ind., and Plain Dealer Player of the Year Michael Nanchoff, North Royalton, Ohio, headline a class that should make an immediate impact.
"The freshman class has helped complement an already strong group," Porter said. "They have helped bolster different areas. We have become a more athletic team and a more dangerous attacking team."
In the offseason, offense was a large area of concentration for the Zips.
"This is an area (forward position) where we were not very deep last year and struggled to score consistently," Porter said.
Senior Pablo Moriera and sophomore Stefan Ostergren will be critical to the offensive success.
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