Zips Squeak Out Win

[GoZips]

The game winning goal came in the first seven minutes. Scored by Steve Zakuani. The first of hissecond "hat trick" of the year. Neither Steve nor most of the starters saw the pitch in the secondhalf. The Zips led 5-0 at the half.Zakuani who is the nation's leading scorer in college soccer added six more points to his total.

[zippyrifle32]

if we wanted to, we could have really run up the score on them. i stopped by after class and caught the last two goals. looked like there was nothing to it. glad to see usual bench players getting some time.

[RootforRoo44]

if we wanted to, we could have really run up the score on them. i stopped by after class and caught the last two goals. looked like there was nothing to it. glad to see usual bench players getting some time.

i agree, we could have scored 10+ honestly as it was. We missed a few opportunities, really turned down the pressure, and played mostly reserves and still made them look like they didn't belong on the same field. What a nice night to watch an event and what another fun night at the Jack.

[tbozeglav]

I think us AK-Rowdies did get into that goalie's head... he made some pretty bonehead plays that cost him a couple goals. Not that we needed them to win, but it probably wouldn't have let the score look so lopsided.It was also good to see the bench players put up 3 in the second half, of which nearly all of them were on very good plays. It really shows that we've got a lot of depth.This has now been the second home game this year I've been to that the Zips put up at least 7 points... they are looking to be in very good shape for the MAC Tournament.

[Z.I.P.]

This has now been the second home game this year I've been to that the Zips put up at least 7 points... they are looking to be in very good shape for the MAC Tournament.

Thanks for your support Rowdies. But a win is still worth only three points, and well, that's only in MLS, EPL, etc. But we'll take the 8 goals! BTW -- I wonder how much worse Wright State is than the Missouri State team that used 10 defenders and nearly beat us in Albuquerque.

[GoZips]

I agree. The AK-Rowdies really did seem to get into the WSU goalie's head. He seemed to play wayout of the box in first half. Probably to avoid their loud and continuous banter. He dropped back into the box in the second half when the Rowdies were not directly behind him. It might have saved a couple of goals.At least two of the first half goals were scored when a Zip player got between the goal and the goalie.It sure was fun to watch. I think, too, that the very, very, loud response made by the Rowdies onthe Zips first goal of the night completely unnerved the goalie.Z.I.P., while I did not see the Mo State game I do believe that Mo State would have run all overWSU as they played last night. Wright State came into the match with a decent set of credentialscomplete with a hard fought tie against a very good UIC team.Heard from a creditable source that this is Steve Zakuani's last season as a Zip. He will return hometo England to play professional ball. Yes, he is that good to play English professional soccer.

[tbozeglav]

I agree. The AK-Rowdies really did seem to get into the WSU goalie's head. He seemed to play wayout of the box in first half. Probably to avoid their loud and continuous banter. He dropped back into the box in the second half when the Rowdies were not directly behind him. It might have saved a couple of goals.

Actually... they put in a new goalie for the second half. I don't remember what the name was of the guy who was in for the first half when us Rowdies were behind him, but I do know the replacement's name was Aaron. Surprisingly, the replacement did a better job, although we had already put our bench guys in.

[w00t]

Heard from a creditable source that this is Steve Zakuani's last season as a Zip. He will return hometo England to play professional ball. Yes, he is that good to play English professional soccer.

If this is indeed true, it's a bummer. Not that we'll be bereft of talent if he goes pro, but having a proven finisher up front is invaluable and while there is a wealth of new talent arriving next year, I don't know that any of them are strikers. Steve's brother Gabriel is a professional footballer in England (a defender) owned by Fulham who played on a loan spell for a year and a half with Stoke City (in the English Championship at the time, newly promoted to the EPL this year) and currently playing with League One side Peterborough United. Anyway, how 'bout one more year Steve?

[Z.I.P.]

Heard from a creditable source that this is Steve Zakuani's last season as a Zip. He will return hometo England to play professional ball. Yes, he is that good to play English professional soccer.

If this is indeed true, it's a bummer. Not that we'll be bereft of talent if he goes pro, but having a proven finisher up front is invaluable and while there is a wealth of new talent arriving next year, I don't know that any of them are strikers. Steve's brother Gabriel is a professional footballer in England (a defender) owned by Fulham who played on a loan spell for a year and a half with Stoke City (in the English Championship at the time, newly promoted to the EPL this year) and currently playing with League One side Peterborough United. Anyway, how 'bout one more year Steve?

Not sure how much street cred GoZips has with the futbol playahs. He told me already that Evan Bush was going pro after this year, and I believed him without checking the program. Good one! IF Steve leaves, and goes back to the UK, he will have to start at the same level that his brother plays at, League One -- the third level of English football. If he stays in the states for another two years, he could be equivalent to a lottery pick in MLS, IMHO. COULD be -- hard to tell, but one more important thing: Get an education young man! That's the closest thing to a "sure thing" you can do in life. And I'd love to be able to watch him for the next 15 years as MLS builds itself at least to League Championship level.Let's go Nottingham Forest!