UAZipster0305

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...caa&cc=5901 ...and of all things, I have a final from 5:30 to 8:30 on Friday night during the game!

http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/facilities/unc-fetzer-field.html"In men's soccer, the largest crowd to watch a Carolina game at Fetzer Field turned out for the game on October 2, 1999. A school-record 3,825 fans watched the Tar Heels battle the Duke Blue Devils. "Got them beat on that one! http://tarheelblue.cstv.com/sports/m-socce.../120609aaa.html"North Carolina is unbeaten in three all-time meetings against Akron with a 2-0-1 mark. The Tar Heels and Zips last met in the 2007 Wake Forest adidas Classic in Winston-Salem, N.C., with UNC claiming a 3-0 victory. The Tar Heels posted overtime wins over Akron in the 2002 Carolina Nike Classic and in an early season tournament in Columbia, S.C., in 1982."

http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page7968.htm

So glad to see him doing well with a team that is not the Browns. How is Blackburn doing with the Giants this season?

http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page3114.htm

The problem is, for people around here to jump on the bandwagon, it requires not just pounding a bunch of mediocre teams, but to be ranked nationally and destroy teams that everyone knows (i.e. Penn State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, etc).Exactly! This is why coming off an NCAA Tournament season and losing to Austin Peay KILLS any enthusiasm the casual fan may have had. KD complains of support, but games like AP are ones his program can't lose. Those are the games the soccer program always wins. Hence the relative difference in support.

It just pokes another hole in the lame "Akron fans won't pack the stadium/arena" arguement.As ZipsWin! pointed out, "Joe Akron" was out in force at Jackson Field." It wasn't all students, or alumni...it was the entire Akron community that came out to support the Zips, and to see a sport played at a very high level. Beyond that...the team put on a show, and didn't "crap down their leg" as so many other teams are inclined to do. The team sacked-up and showed they merited the support. It almost brings tears to my eyes... We might be the only community in the history of the NCAA that supports an NCAA Tournament qualifying soccer team more than that of a basketball team.

...awesome cover picture:http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-soccer/ncaa-m-soccer-body.htmlD-I Sidebar: Zips Bid Goodbye To Home Field, Make Way To College Cuphttp://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/120509aaa.html"Lee Jackson Field is a very intimate place as it seats just 2,200 and Akron is 265-57-30 on their home field since it was dedicated in 1966" ...that's a 75.3 winning percentage!Akron Stays Perfect With 1-0 Win Over Tulsa In NCAA Quarterfinalshttp://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/120509aab.html

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...caa&cc=5901"Akron-TulsaIf it wasn't for the fact that Akron is undefeated, this game might get lost in a weekend of big-name matchups. At 22-0, the top-seeded Zips have yet to give up a goal this postseason. Eighth-seeded Tulsa has quietly powered through to the Elite Eight after squeaking by with an overtime win against Saint Louis in the Golden Hurricanes' opening game. Tulsa definitely has drawn some attention in the tournament, but Akron is the clear favorite."

Retrospectively, I would rather play UNC if we were to win. However, they are an intimidating prospective opponent. I believe we are the best team in the country right now, but on any given day...

A thorough harass-kicking indeed! Shame on UA if they adopt a final soccer stadium plan that does NOT include harassment zones on BOTH ends of the field. I totally agree. That could be the biggest home field advantage in college soccer.

Prediction: 2-0 in the spirit and trend of the first two games.Goals from Bunbury and Nagbe with two assists from Nanchoff.

+1

Nice find!I can't listen to the interview. Anyone mind summarizing in text? I am particularly interested in his description of why he chose Akron.

http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page18620.htm"Who do you think will win it all?Joe- I’ve been on the Akron train all year. They may not win, but they are the best team. I’ve seen every team in the Elite Eight. Bob - Wake Forest. I like the team chemistry. Adam - Ha. No way. I don’t want to be someone’s bulletin board material….”See, this guy Zundell says you can’t win! Now go out and prove that idiot wrong!” No onions, I guess. Bryan - Akron. Don’t see how you can pick anyone else. They have taken care of business all year.Matt - North Carolina. The Tar Heels will be playing it right in their back yard. "

http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page18086.htm

http://www.ohio.com/sports/78036397.html''We want to be 11 soldiers when we defend, 11 artists when we attack, and if we do that, we should be 11 champions.'' -Coach Porter Traveling from Pittsburgh for the game against Stanford today. Can't wait!

Agreed. The team never quit trying to win that game against Memphis either. We were in it until the final play. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.Great list. Thank you JD and best of luck to you, your family, and the other coaches.

How many sports articles have you read in your time?There is almost always a sense of catering to the hopes of both sides in any article written before a game or match, even if it demonstrates a disconnect with reality. This is just how they do it. ESPN isn't in the business of slamming Stanford. The article is a mere hype piece. It is to be expected.Then consider me hyped!

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story...caa&cc=5901Stanford vs. No. 1 AkronThe Zips shut out South Florida 2-0 to easily advance in their quest for a national championship. Now a perfect 21-0, Akron is focused on continuing its march toward solidifying its place in college soccer history. Stanford (12-5-2) has turned around its program at almost warp speed. A year ago, the Cardinal went 4-11-3. Now they're in the Sweet Sixteen. Common sense dictates that Stanford's season ends here, but logic doesn't dictate game outcomes. "...logic doesn't dictate game outcomes..."...but the AK-Rowdies do. That Stanford goalie has never experienced anything like this. Best home field advantage in college soccer plus cold weather.Zips 3-0!

I was there. Maybe 2,000? Very rough estimate, but definitely not 10K or even 1/3 of that.

Thanks to Hilltopper for providing myself and parents with tickets to today's game. Was in from out of town and wanted to see the Info as much as anything. I was really impressed with it and the changes on campus.A few random notes:The band is awesome!Nicely and Wagner are very impressive.Nicely has room to learn (e.g. sliding on the run on third and long that resulted in a fumble and the first interception). This will come with time and (hopefully) good coaching.The play calling on offense is extremely simple and predictable as pointed out by my mother.If the 3-3-5 only slows EMU down, it will never be good enough to win the MAC.Saw Coach Porter with his wife and infant. Very impressed by the overall support among the Athletic Department especially considering the opposite ends of the spectrum. Very classy on Coach Porter's part. I hope he stays after this season.JD can go. While a hardworking gentleman, the facilities investment requires that the team win and fill the stadium. Today's attendance was the only proof necessary that JD has not earned the right to return. It is time for a change, and I wish him the best.I think an Annual Black Friday game could be well attended if both teams were competitive.The MEN's restroom was crowded at halftime in spite of the <2,000 fans. Was this a problem earlier in the season with the large crowds?Good to see that Can't lost today. Can't wait until Sunday for the soccer game against Stanford!

I'll take them. What would be the best means of arranging pick-up?

huh? they play them on the road. in fact, their first home game is 1/16. I'd rather see Akron play Austin Peay at home than nobody. Do you really thing GT would come to Akron? There is no upside to playing us at home, for any big team like that. Just nothing to gain..I was simply saying this is necessary to build a program and a fan base. Losing to Austin Peay at home early in the season is counterproductive in this sense.

Damn! Impressive.If we had a 50-50 home-away schedule with opponents like that there might actually be large scale community interest in Zips basketball before conference play begins. That's what it takes to sellout the JAR and require a new arena. No one wants to come watch the Zips lose their first game to Austin Peay, but Georgia Tech (win or lose) might be another story. I could see a sellout for a game like that...especially after coming off a Tournament appearance and having a top 50 recruit.