Zip to the point: New-look for Akron men's soccer has team off to best start under Embick
There’s something different with this edition of the University of Akron men’s soccer team under Jared Embick.
And that’s a very good thing.
The 10th-ranked Zips are off to their best start in Embick’s 10-season career at UA and it continued Monday in a 2-0 win over Michigan State.
Yes, the Zips can still beat anyone with precision passes and a willingness to wait for opportunities, but they have showed a much different look in 2022.
Opening Up:Akron impresses in season opener against VCU.
Photo Gallery:A look at Akron men's soccer win over Michigan State in pictures.
Check that, it’s a much faster look.
UA (4-0) is more direct and it has showed in the scoring column as the Zips have outscored their4 opponents 15-5 this season.
“It’s two things,” Embick said. “Teams are trying to break up our rhythm higher up the field. When we break it, you have guys like Malik [Henry] and Dyson [Clapier] on the flank and you can get them the ball in situations where they can run it. It’s an advantage to us. I think the second is sometimes we go direct when we have opportunities to get a little bit more control of the game and play in their half.”
Akron gets to the point fast
That direct approach helps when teams like Florida International try to pack things in and make games more of a one-shot type of contest.
It helps when teams try to open the Zips up like the Spartans (1-3) tried to on Monday night.
“The guys we have around us, we have so much confidence with each other that you know we can get through any situation,” Zips midfielder Johnny Fitzgerald said. “It’s the most fun I've had for like a long time.
“We give each other confidence and we just all build off each other. I think that helps a lot.”
The decider came early for the Zips when Gyuwon Chong stole the ball off the foot of Jack Zukay and found Fitzgerald at the top of the box for the game-winner just 11:30 into the game.
Jason Shokalook put it out of reach with a header into the side netting off a corner kick on the right from Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal with 6:53 left.
“Having speed is obviously an advantage, but when you look at the guys that we have, the speed and technical ability, the team just works really well together,” Shokalook said. “Speed obviously kills and helps us out a lot. That’s what you get with this version of Akron, which isn’t afraid to push the pace against anyone.”
Akron will find a way with patience or pizazz
Yes, UA can still play chess like it did in 2018 when a 34-pass goal ended the stranglehold Stanford had on the NCAA Tournament.
They’d rather play speed poker and end things as fast they can in the 90-minute match.
“It all starts with the quality of passing from our defenders,” Embick said. “We’re really good defensively and it starts with the quality pressing from our attackers. Our defense has been pretty good at building the ball out of the back when we need it.”
That ability to push things out of the back, coupled with the unbridled confidence Embick and Co. have in their one-on-one defenders allows the high-pressure attack to work.
What’s more, conditioning helps as well. UA seems to have more in the tank at the end.
Fitzgerald proved the gameplan worked with the early goal. Shokalook showed that it can be used all 90 minutes with the late tally.
“We have a ton of energy,” Shokalook said. “It seems like it’s hard work but it’s more you want to do it for the guy next to you. You just want to go and work hard and give everything you’ve got and then at the end of the day, obviously being in the great shape, helps us out. It helps us get these wins.”
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron men's soccer scores early, pressures often in start of season
