Season Opener Preview
The Akron Zips will kick off the 2026 men's soccer season on August 20 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Akron, Ohio, facing the Dayton Flyers at 7 p.m. The matchup marks the first test for a squad that entered the preseason ranked No. 8 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll and No. 12 in the United Soccer Coaches rankings.
Coach Danial Carparelli's side arrives after a dominant 2025 campaign that saw a 13‑5‑3 record, a Midwest Division title and a berth in the NCAA Championship quarterfinals. The team's midfield, anchored by Matt Dreas, limited opponents to just 0.71 goals per game, a statistical highlight that helped secure the program's high preseason standing.
Two Zips earned preseason All‑BIG EAST honors: forward Remi Agunbiade and midfielder Matt Dreas. Dreas also earned a spot on the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy Watch List, recognizing his continued impact after a 2025 season that included 21 starts and a second‑team United Soccer Coaches All‑East Region nod.
Dayton arrives with its own momentum, having finished 2025 at 8‑2‑8 overall and second in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll. Midfielders Braden Seel and Miles Bonham, along with defender Mikkel Madsen, were all named to the 2026 Preseason All‑Conference Team, setting up a compelling midfield battle.
The Zips' schedule does not pause after the Dayton encounter; they will next travel to face Army on August 24 before hosting Wake Forest on August 28. Both opponents present distinct tactical challenges, and the early stretch of the season will likely shape the team's trajectory in the national polls.