TennZip

Excellent words from Coach Embick

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181210/university-of-akron-mens-soccer-thyroid-cancer-no-stumbling-block-for-sophomore-diogo-pacheco This story deserves its own topic. Diogo Pacheco is a very brave young man.

Work prevented me from making it out to Santa Barbara this year...but I have heard from multiple people that George Van Horne,Matt Newhouse and the entire athletic department did first class work in setting up the events at SeaSide on Friday and Sunday....and also the MLS game watching event on Saturday night. I have seen on social media...how appreciative that Maverick and his mom are of the first class, wonderful treatment that they received from George and Matt and the entire athletic department. The athletic department had a tremendously short time to make arrangements for everything and they worked many long hours to make it happen. The soccer program is the best and the fans, players and alumni were treated super this weekend. No department or person is ever perfect....but the athletic department hit it out of the park with the watch events and their handling of all events in Santa Barbara. The athletic department and the soccer team and coaches all covered themselves in glory over the past few weeks.

I don't like the headline....but there are very good quotes from Skye and Coach Embick at the end of the article https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181209/university-of-akron-mens-soccer-zips-fall-short-in-title-game

I am very proud of this group of student athletes and their coaches accomplished. Good words below from Coach Embick “We’re hurting now, but we’re hurting because we put ourselves in this situation. A month and a half, two months ago, nobody expected it,” UA coach Jared Embick said. “I told the guys, ‘Sports, the champion gets defined by the trophy, but life’s not like that. Your ability to handle setbacks and push forward and pick yourselves up every time you fall down is more what life’s about.’ Unfortunately, we don’t get the moment we wanted, but this team showed a lot of people about perseverance and how you handle adversity. I was really proud of the coaches and players.”

https://areyouwatchingthis.com/tv/stations/espn3 I am sure that there are many people around the country watching the game on ESPNU I would hope that ESPNU would cover the trophy presentation. However, they have fla. state vs. Uconn basketball scheduled at 9. as a heads up (if ESPNU cuts away to basketball)....ESPN3 will also broadcast the game and ESPN3 will cover the trophy presentation. Proud of this zips team....no matter what happens tonight....They have had an amazing year to be proud of Sunday, Dec 9 8:00p - Curling - 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup (Men's Final) 8:00p - Men's College Soccer - Akron vs. Maryland (Final) 10:00p - Men's College Soccer - NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament - Trophy Presentation

This will be one heck of a battle....Zips are playing so well... but so are the Terrapins...no goals allowed....in 4 tourney games Futbol.......can indeed be cruel..but I have a feeling that Marcel Zajac magic and skill will be the difference tonight ....Go, zips !!!!

Morgan Hackworth and a Maryland player featured in this article https://www.brotherlygame.com/2018/12/9/18131756/philadelphia-union-academy-college-cup-morgan-hackworth-sebastian-elney

I am glad that to see that Stu Parry is mentioned in this article. Stu Parry is a gigantic reason that soccer has been so important for this university. Thank you, Stu Parry. When the history of Akron soccer is written (Soon, please.....hint, hint....to our most knowledgeable frequent poster !!!), Stu Parry will merit many chapters.

https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181209/college-cup-notebook-seventh-graders-letters-provide-pregame-inspiration-for-zips

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/12/09/darlington-nagbe-wanted-provide-atlanta-united-fans-heartbreak-fix nice video....with Darlington being his super nice self...and his young kids being cute

Plain Dealer Sunday morning article https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2018/12/akron-mens-soccer-in-full-stride-for-college-cup-final.html#incart_river_index

Marla keeps putting out very good articles https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181208/college-cup-zips-bridge-gap-reach-ncaa-final-with-mix-of-old-and-young

Will Lebron be at the game?

Akron and Maryland have had a few common opponents... August 31.....Maryland 0-0 with Stanford Sept. 10 ...Maryland 1 West Virginia 0 October 5....Michigan State 2 Maryland 0 Nov. 4...Maryland 1 Mich. State 0

good to read that the young Marco M. is OK https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/akron-maryland-advance-to-the-championship_aid45605 “In these quick turnarounds, I was trying to manage the game,” Akron head coach Jared Embick said about the deep bench and getting nine players off the bench into the game. Embick added that center back Marco Milanese was fine - the freshman had left the game in the second half after a collision with a Michigan State attacker.

NANCHOFF !!!!

Beacon already has an article up Much credit to the Beacon for Sending Marla Ridenour out to Santa Barbara for the coverage https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181207/university-of-akron-mens-soccer-second-championship-in-school-history-within-uas-grasp-after-zips-rout-michigan-state-5-1-at-college-cup

another excellent article about Mr. Nagbe !!! https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/atlanta-united-fc/mls-cup-darlington-nagbe-portland-timbers-atlanta-united/

Getting some rest for David Egbo, Skye Harter and others is going to pay major dividends on Sunday. I am so happy for Skye Harter. He was always overshadowed in high school by Chris Brennan. Skye has improved so much at Akron. His free kick goal was beautiful..... and how about that 5th goal from a CVCA alum. I could hear fknbuflobo cheering that CVCA goal ....from several states away. Can't wait to read the Santa Barbara updates from Zip_me87 and SBZipfan and others