Zips start new season with 7 new starters, in midseason form

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The NCAA defending champion Akron Zips lost 7 starters to the MLS draft last spring, and started their season against an improving Cleveland State team Saturday night at home.

But Caleb Porter has the team in midseason shape already, jumping to a 4-0 score by the half. The team cruised to a 5-0 win. The win breaks the NCAA record for longest home unbeaten streak, they haven't lost at home since 2008, 40 games. The attendance of 5,241 broke the Zip's attendance record. Preparation is underway for an expansion to the one year old soccer stadium.

Ranked #2 behind Louisville in the Div I rankings, they play 15th ranked Ohio St, 18th ranked Penn St, 19th Mich St and powerhouse Wake Forest at home this year.

So far the team is featured on Fox Soccer Channel on 9/15 and 10/5, and on the Big Ten Network on 10/18.

Next up is a road trip to the 2011 Cal State Northridge Labor Day Classic.

If the thread gets views, I'll keep it going when possible.