The Akron Zips kicked off their 2026 campaign in convincing fashion, posting a 3‑0 victory over the Dayton Flyers on Saturday night.
Freshman forward Londen Sears opened the scoring in the 11th minute, threading a precise pass from Remi Agunbiade that slipped past the Dayton keeper. Agunbiade doubled the lead seven minutes later, finishing a swift counterattack. The third goal arrived early in the second half when Jack Sullivan capitalized on a defensive lapse, sealing the shutout.
Opening Victory
Between the lines, goalkeeper Brett Kaminski was a wall of resistance, turning away both Flyers attempts and preserving a clean sheet. His composure under pressure was evident in the six saves he recorded, while the Zips limited Dayton to just two shots on target.
The Zips also dominated possession, holding the ball for 15 of the 20 minutes of recorded play compared to Dayton’s 10, and they out‑shot the opposition 6‑2. A modest crowd of 1,422 fans filled FirstEnergy Stadium, creating a lively atmosphere for the early‑season showdown.
Looking ahead, Akron will travel to face Army on Monday, August 24, before returning home for a clash with Wake Forest on Friday, August 28. Both matches promise to test the Zips’ early momentum.
The team’s discipline was reflected in the four yellow cards, but the overall structure remained solid as they controlled the tempo for much of the match.