Akron Men’s Soccer Faces Top-Five Test at Vermont
BURLINGTON, Vt. – The No. 3 University of Akron men’s soccer team travels to Burlington, Vermont, to face No. 5 Vermont in a highly anticipated matchup on Saturday. This contest pits two of the nation’s premier programs against each other early in the season, offering a notable early-season test for both squads.
The Zips recently announced the addition of nine players to their 2025 signing class, bolstering a roster that already includes Aljaz dodig (Ljubljana, Slovenia), Freddy Kossehasse, Tyler morck, Jose Pedro, Jamai Royer (Markham, Ontario), and Jack Sullivan, who signed prior to the spring semester. Akron is coming off a period of program success and aims to continue its winning tradition with this influx of talent.
Akron will open BIG EAST Conference play on Friday, Sept. 19, welcoming UConn to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest,following the Vermont game.
Zippy History: The University of Akron’s athletic nickname, the Zips, originated from a 1925 campus contest won by Margaret Hamlin, who suggested “Zippers” and received a $10 prize, along with a $6 pair of rubber overshoes from BF Goodrich. The name was later shortened to Zips by athletic director Kenneth “Red” Cochrane in 1950. The school’s mascot, zippy the kangaroo, was officially declared in 1953 and gained national recognition, earning the Capital One National Mascot of the Year award in 2007. Zippy is one of only eight female-gendered college mascots in Division I athletics, alongside YoUDee (Delaware), Mrs. Wuf (N.C.State), Lucy Lobo (New Mexico), sue E.Pig (Arkansas), Miss Pawla (South Alabama), Kate the Lion (Hofstra), and Wilma Wildcat (Arizona).
