Akron Zips open 2023 men's soccer season with impressive performance
The University of Akron men's soccer team opened the 2023 season in impressive fashion Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Zips were in a familiar position all evening as they attacked and pursued goals against overmatched Niagara.
Will Jackson, Dyson Clapier, Johnny Fitzgerald, Gyuwon Chong, Josef Paulus and Stefan Dobrijevic each scored a goal to lead Akron to a 6-0 win before a crowd of 1,174.
"We need to build off of this," Jackson said. "Obviously, we know we can attack. We came in with a defensive mindset and I think we achieved our goal with a shutout."
The Zips dominated play and held an edge in shots (27-3), shots on goal (13-2) and corner kicks (6-2).
"The boys executed the plan perfectly," UA associate head coach Ger Coppinger said. "It helped with the early goal. We jumped on them."
Coppinger led the Zips as head coach Jared Embick, assistant Michael Nanchoff and junior forward Jason Shokalook each served a one-game suspension that carried over from last season's NCAA Tournament loss to Pittsburgh.
Hudson graduate Will Jackson propels Akron to men's soccer win
Jackson, a 2019 Hudson High School graduate, opened the scoring in the fourth minute with his goal. Paulus and Fitzgerald assisted on the strike after Clapier started the sequence with a shot on goal.
"I say thanks to my teammates," said Jackson, a senior. "It was a bouncing ball in the box and I think we won two or three 50-50s, popped out to us and it was an easy finish from there. Credit to my teammates for working hard."
Clapier, a junior who was named to the 2023 Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List before the match, netted his goal in the 30th minute with junior Jonas Buechte and senior Joel Sangwa each getting an assist.
"The second goal really opened everything up for us," Coppinger said. "We were able to play our game — get after them, get chances, corners and shots on goal."
Fitzgerald, a senior, found the net in the 43rd minute off a pass from junior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal.
"This was mission accomplished and onto the next one," Fitzgerald said. "I am always happy to contribute to the team when I can on the scoresheet but, for me, the biggest thing is the win."
Highland alum Josef Paulus, Firestone alum Stefan Dobrijevic score goals in Akron men's soccer win
Seniors Sam Tojaga and Alejandro Varela assisted on the goal by Chong, a junior, in the 56th minute.
Paulus, a senior and 2019 Highland High School graduate, netted his goal in the 58th minute off a free kick from 22 yards out.
Dobrijevic, a sophomore and 2022 Firestone High School graduate, converted a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
Junior Malik Henry, sophomore Rui Reis and 2023 Wadsworth High School graduate Jackson Herbert were also active in Akron's attack that led to Zips freshman goalkeeper Seth Wilson facing and saving only two shots.
"What was great was the amount of guys we got on the field and the level never dropped," Coppinger said. "The chances kept happening, and we have multiple goal scorers."
Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips dominate Niagara in 2023 men's soccer opener
