Ohio State Travels to Face No. 11 Akron Wednesday Night – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/15/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2015
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State men’s soccer team travels to face in-state rival Akron at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field in Akron, Ohio. This is the final match of a four-game road swing for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is 1-4-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in the Big Ten, while the Zips are 4-1-0 overall and currently ranked No. 11 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) Top 25 poll.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
A links to live stats and video will be available from the calendar tab on the front page of OhioStateBuckeyes.com or on the men’s soccer schedule page. Twitter updates also will be available from @OhioState_MSOC.
BUCKEYES IN A NUTSHELL
- The Buckeyes are 1-4-0 on the season following a 2-1 loss at Northwestern Sept. 11 in Chicago, Ill.
- Seniors Liam Doyle and Kyle Culbertson each have scored one goal, while junior Danny Jensen and senior Kenny Cunningham have posted an assist.
- Ohio State returns nine starters, including Doyle, who was named a 2014 first team All-Big Ten selection, while sophomores Marcus McCrary and Hunter Robertson earned All-Freshmen Team laurels. Jensen returns after garnering a season-high 13 points (6g, 1), while Culbertson comes back after notching 11 points (4g, 3a) in his first season as a Buckeye last year.
- Doyle, Jensen and Culbertson were each named to the Big Ten Preseason to Watch List earlier this season.
- The Buckeyes were picked fifth in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches’ Poll behind Maryland, Indiana, Penn State and Michigan State.
- Zach Mason will once again be captain for the Scarlet and Gray along with Doyle and junior back Tyler Kidwell.
- Doyle was selected as a third team preseason All-American by com.
- Seven 2015 opponents were ranked in the preseason poll, while 10 opponents received votes.
- The Buckeyes’ next home match will be their conference opener hosting No. 13 Penn State Sept. 20 in Columbus.
- Mason and Culbertson were named to the Westin/Sheraton BWI Classic All-Tournament Team last weekend.
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
Akron has won three-consecutive matches over Top 20 ranked opponents to sit at 4-1-0 overall this season. The team claimed a 1-0 shutout over fourth-ranked Georgetown Sept. 4 before downing No. 6 Maryland, 3-2, in overtime Sept. 7. Last time out, the Zips defeated No. 14 Saint Louis, 3-2, Sept. 11 in their home opener. Sophomore Richie Laryea was named MAC Men’s Soccer Athlete of the Week after registering two goals, including the gamewinner, while adding an assist. Sophomore Sam Gainford leads the team with eight points (4g, 0a), while Laryea (2g, 3a) and junior Adam Najem (3g, 1a) each have collected seven points. Goalkeeper Jake Fenlason is 4-1 with a 1.93 goals-against average and .655 save percentage.
A LOOK BACK AT THE EPIC SHOOTOUT VS. AKRON
Last time out, Ohio State and Akron met in Columbus in the NCAA first round and it turned out to be one of the most memorable matches of the 2014 tournament. Following a second-half equalizer by Kyle Culbertson, the Buckeyes and Zips then were knotted at 1-all following both overtime periods to force a penalty shootout. However, it would take an astonishing 15 rounds to decide who would advance past the first round with the Buckeyes edging the Zips, 13-12. Zach Mason converted on the Buckeyes’ final attempt to send the team into the second round. An NCAA spokesman did not have an answer for the most PK attempts for a Division I men’s soccer match. Nine different Buckeyes converted their PKs. Liam Doyle, Danny Jensen, Kyle Culbertson and Zach Mason each made both of their PK attempts.
OHIO STATE VS. AKRON
The match Wednesday will be the 39th meeting between the two teams with Akron leading the series, 28-6-4. Ohio State was edged, 1-0, in the last meeting at Akron during the 2013 campaign.
UP NEXT
The Buckeyes will open their Big Ten home schedule against No. 13 Penn State at 2:30 p.m. ET Sunday. The match will be Alumni Day for the Buckeyes. The team will also hold its annual Kids Kicking Cancer Clinic before the match vs. the Nittany Lions.
