Akron soccer to host winner of Pittsburgh-Cleveland State Sunday in NCAA Tournament
The Zips will be home to begin the 2022 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
The University of Akron received its seeding and assignment for the 48-team field in the NCAA Tournament, and it could be a difficult road to another national championship. The Zips, who drew a No. 16 seed as an at-large bid after their loss Saturday in the Mid-American Conference title game to Western Michigan, will host a tournament game Sunday against either Pittsburgh or Cleveland State, who play Thursday.
If the Zips win that match, they would advance to most likely face Kentucky, the tournament's No. 1 seed and the only undefeated Division I team in the country. Kentucky will take on the winner between South Florida and Hofstra.
This will be the Zips' 31st appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Akron won a national title in 2010.
The Zips are coming off a tough 2-1 loss to Western Michigan, which took a lead only three minutes into Saturday's MAC title game. Trailing 2-0 and down a man after a red card, Akron cut the lead to 2-1 and nearly tied it late. Coach Jared Embick said after the game the Zips needed to play like they did in the final 35 minutes for a full 90 in the tournament.
Akron enters the tournament with the country's top-rated offense with 48 goals.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron soccer to host Pitt-Cleveland State winner in NCAA Tournament
