Third-annual men's and women's soccer tournament to be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 at UA

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron Department of Athletics and Westfield Insurance announced on Wednesday the eight-team field for the 2007 Westfield Insurance Cup soccer tournament, being held Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at Lee Jackson Field on the UA campus.

For the first time in tournament history, the games will be played as regular-season matches and will count in the teams' overall records. Alternating between the men's and women's teams, four matches will take place on Friday, Aug. 31, followed by four matches on Sunday, Sept. 2.

In addition to the matches, fans can take part in interactive games as part of Soccer Fest. Those in attendance will also have a chance to win a family vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Headlining the men's field is 2005 NCAA College Cup finals participant New Mexico. The Lobos posted a 14-4-3 record in 2006, winning the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) championship for the third-straight season and the fifth time in the last six years. New Mexico advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling 3-1 to No. 13 California.

Head coach Jeremy Fishbein has turned New Mexico into a national power in his five seasons at the helm, guiding the team to a 75-20-11 record.

Newly-minted Mid-American Conference member Hartwick will also open its 2007 slate at the Westfield Insurance Cup. The Hawks were 8-10-2 in 2006, 3-2-1 in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Rounding out the field is UAB. The Blazers were 10-6-4 last season, 4-3-1 in Conference USA action. They earned an at-large spot in the NCAA Tournament, falling in penalty kicks to Gardner-Webb.

Akron posted a 13-5-1 record and shared the MAC regular-season title in Caleb Porter’s first year as men's head coach in 2006. That was the ninth time in its 14 years as a member of the league that UA has claimed at least a shared of the championship. Nine letterwinners return from that squad, led by first-team All-MAC performers defender Ossie Michalsen (Bergen, Norway/Soccer Academy of Danielsen), midfielders Matt Tutich (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) and Steve Kalan (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield), and forward Pablo Moreira (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville).

"Our team is excited about this year's event and, as in past seasons, the programs involved are all nationally competitive and will provide a great opportunity for soccer fans in Northeast Ohio to witness college soccer at the highest level," Porter said. "From a program standpoint we could not ask for anything more. To be able to face competition against high-caliber teams early in the season is an ideal situation to assess where we stack up and prepare ourselves for the remainder of the schedule."

UAB will take on Hartwick on Aug. 31 at 2:30 p.m. EDT, followed by the Zips and Lobos at 7:30 p.m. The tournament concludes on Sept. 2 with Hartwick vs. New Mexico at noon, and Akron vs. UAB at 5 p.m.

Joining Akron in the women's field will be Binghamton, Northeastern and St. Francis (Pa.). The Zips posted the best 2006 record out of that group, a school-record 11-7-0 mark (4-7-0 MAC), and return their top-four scorers and 11 letterwinners from a year ago.

Northeastern compiled a 9-6-4 record (5-3-3 Colonial Athletic Association) last season, while St. Francis went 8-8-2 (4-3-2 Northeast Conference) and Binghamton finished 7-8-3 (4-4-0 America East).

"The tempo of this year’s event has increased now that it is an in-season event," seventh-year UA women's head coach Catherine Byrne said. "There is a lot more at stake, the competition is elevated, and likewise our program is ready to build on last year's success."

Northeastern will take on Binghamton on Aug. 31 at noon, followed Akron and St. Francis at 5 p.m. On Sept. 2, Northeastern and St. Francis square off at 2:30 p.m. and the Zips meet Binghamton at 7:30 p.m.

The Cup began in 2005 with the Zips men's team picking up preseason wins over SMU and Maryland to take the title. Akron went on to post an 18-1-4 record that season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. Creighton was crowned champion in 2006 with wins over Akron and Clemson.

In women's cup history, Akron was runner-up to Old Dominion in 2005, while Cincinnati claimed the championship in 2006.

Tickets for the Westfield Insurance Cup can be purchased at the UA Athletics tickets office in Rhodes Arena, or by calling 1-888-99-AKRON. Prices are $6 for adults and $4 for kids ages 3-17.

Check GoZips.com and WestfieldCup.com throughout the summer for updated event information.

In business for more than 159 years, Westfield Insurance provides commercial and personal insurance and surety services to customers in 28 states, marketing its products through more than 1,200 leading independent insurance agencies. Westfield Group provides banking through Westfield Bank and agency support through Westfield Services, Inc.

Westfield  has been named one of the Top 10 Employers in Ohio by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and is the proud sponsor of the Westfield Junior PGA Championship and "Academic Challenge," a weekly high school quiz show that airs on the local ABC affiliate.

2007 Westfield Insurance Cup Schedule:

Friday, Aug. 31
Northeastern vs. Binghamton (women) Noon
UAB vs. Hartwick (men) 2:30 p.m.
Akron vs. St. Francis (Pa.) (women) 5 p.m.
Akron vs. New Mexico (men) 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 2
New Mexico vs. Hartwick (men) Noon
Northeastern vs. St. Francis (Pa.) (women) 2:30 p.m.
Akron vs. UAB (men) 5 p.m.
Akron vs. Binghamton (women) 7:30 p.m.

Contact:
Gregg Bach
Assistant Director of Media Relations
University of Akron Athletics
Office: (330) 972-6106
Mobile: (330) 760-0522
Fax: (330) 374-8844

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