Men's Soccer Opens Up MAC Play At Home On Friday Night vs. #8 Akron
10/8/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York men's soccer team opens up Mid-American Conference play on Friday night at UB Stadium against #8 Akron at 7:00 pm. The Bulls are coming off of back-to-back shutout victories.
UB enters the match with a 5-4-3 overall record, their best start through 12 matches since 2008, following back-to-back shutout victories over Cornell and St. Bonavneture. The Bulls completely dominated the Bonnies last time out as they claimed the Big 4 Sheild with the huge 6-0 win behind a seven point effort from Russell Cicerone, two goals and three assists. The win extended the Bulls unbeaten streak to a season-best four matches.
Leading the Bulls offensive charge is two-time All-MAC first team performer Cicerone, who has notched eight goals, six assists and 22 points through 12 matches. The junior ranks fourth in the NCAA in points (22) and assists (six) while ranking sixth in goals (eight). Sophomore Scott Doney has had a great start to his UB career this season as he has notched four goals and five assists while Braden Scales has recorded a career-high three goals and four assists while earning 10 starts. The Bulls have two keepers who have started at least four matches between the pipes as Cameron Hogg owns a 1.18 goals-against average in eight matches and Joseph Kuta holds a 0.71 goals-against average in his four matches, including back-to-back cleansheets his last two matches.
The Akron Zips enter Friday's match against the Bulls with a 8-2-1 overall record including wins over four nationally-ranked opponents on the season. The defending MAC champs are winners of their last four matches, three of which were cleansheets. Junior midfielder Adam Najem leads the Zips offensive charge with team highs in goals with six and assists with five. Richie Laryea ranks second on the team with six goals and three assists to go along with a team-high 34 shots while Sam Gainford has racked up five goals and three assists. In goal, Jake Fenlason has started all 11 matches for the Zips while owning a 1.39 goals-against average, a .719 save percentage and four shutouts on the season.
The Zips have dominated the all-time series with the Bulls as they are 23-1-1 in their previous 25 meetings. The Bulls are looking to defeat their first ranked opponent since the 2011 season when UB defeated #18 Northern Illinois 2-1 in double overtime.
