Akron men earn TopDrawerSoccer honors

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer program was well represented when Top Drawer Soccer released its postseason awards Thursday.

In all, four UA players were named to the web site's Team of the Season and while first-year goalkeeper David Meves was named to the All-Rookie Team.

Sophomore forwards Teal Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe, who have teamed up to form one of the nation's most dangerous attacking duos this year, headlined the list, earning First Team and Second Team honors, respectively. Junior Anthony Ampaipitakwong, a Hermann Trophy Watch List selection, and freshman defender Zarek Valentin, the MAC Newcomer of the Year, were named Honorable Mention.

It has been a breakout season of epic proportions for Bunbury, who is tied for the nation's lead with 16 goals this year. The native of Prior Lake, Minn., has been the driving force on the Zips' No. 1-ranked attack all year after netting six goals during his rookie campaign. The 2009 MAC Player of the Year has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven games and in all but four this season.

Along the way, Bunbury recorded four multiple-goal performances and was named National Player of the Week by College Soccer News after recording game-winning goals in back-to-back games at Buffalo and against Penn State in late October. Additionally, Bunbury was named to Top Drawer Soccer's National Team of the Week twice and MAC Player of the Week three times this season.

In a similar light, Nagbe has also enjoyed a career season in 2009. The forward is second on the team with 10 goals after finding the net twice last year. On top of that, the native of Lakewood, Ohio, has been exceptional with the game on the line with five game-winning goals to his credit – including both in last weekend's MAC Tournament.

Nagbe, an All-MAC First Team selection, recorded the team's lone hat trick of the year with three goals and an assist to fuel a 5-1 win at Michigan in October. For his efforts, he was named to national teams of the week by Soccer America, Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News in addition to being tabbed MAC Player of the Week.

In all, Bunbury and Nagbe have combined to record nine game-winners this fall.

Ampaipitakwong has continued to excell as the playmaker on UA's vaunted attack. The crafty midfielder has scored five goals while assisting five others this fall as an All-MAC First Team honoree. The native of Carrollton, Texas, recorded game-winning goals against Hartwick (Nov. 7), Western Michigan (Oct. 10) and Tulsa (Sept. 6) this year while picking up Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week honors last month.

Valentin has help guide a Zips' defense that is leading the nation in shutout percentage (.700) and is third in goals-against-average (0.35). UA allowed  three goals through its first 16 matches and just seven all year. Furthermore, the Zips have allowed more than one goal just one time in 2009 and are on-ine to break the school record for GAA (0.45), originally set last season.

Along those lines, Meves has been equally exceptional in his first year of collegiate competition. The native of Arlington Heights, Ill., was named to TDS's All-Rookie Second Team after posting a GAA of 0.36 through the first 20 games, which is on-line to rewrite the program's individual record of 0.46, set by Evan Bush in 2008.

Meves was at his best in a 3-0 shotout of Penn State at Lee Jackson Field in late October. The rookie recorded a season-high five saves and displayed keen instincts to preserve the Zips' 13th shutout of the year. For his efforts all year long, Meves was named to the All-MAC Second Team and earned the league's Player of the Week award in September.

The Zips, who captured their sixth MAC Tournament title in eight years last weekend, will participate in their 24th NCAA Tournament Sunday at Lee Jackson Field. As the No. 1 seed, UA will host South Florida at 4 p.m.