'He is a big leader on the team': Sam Tojaga returns to Akron men's soccer starting lineup

Senior midfielder Sam Tojaga knows what is expected of him and his teammates each time they put on a University of Akron men’s soccer uniform.

Whether it is a training session or a match, Tojaga said Sunday night that the message from Zips coach Jared Embick is the same.

“Just keeping our dominant style on both sides of the ball, staying balanced offensively and defensively because we know we have pieces offensively that can score goals like you saw [Sunday night],” Tojaga said after Akron earned a 4-1 win over Northern Illinois University.

A crowd of 1,222 watched the No. 21 ranked Zips (6-2-2, 1-0-0) score four goals in the first half against the Huskies (3-4-3, 0-2-0) and win their Mid-American Conference opener.

“That is our goal every game, to have a fast start and maybe get a couple of goals and then we can really start to develop our system from there,” Tojaga said. “It doesn’t always go our way, but we are very happy that what paid off in training this week translated right into the game.”

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Sophomore Dyson Clapier, junior Joel Sangwa, freshman Ashton Kamdem and junior Josef Paulus scored goals for the Zips as they dominated the Huskies.

“We had a really good week of training and I thought the game followed the training,” Embick said. “Hopefully, that is a sign. These guys have goals to win a couple of trophies at the end of the year and so far we have really shown that this last week leading into the first conference game.”

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Sam Tojaga returns to Akron starting lineup

Tojaga has overcome injuries and made his first start Sunday since the spring 2021 season that took place after the fall 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tojaga missed all of the fall 2021 season due to a hip injury.

He played as a reserve on Sept. 19 in a 3-3 draw against host Pittsburgh.

“It meant a lot and was very exciting,” Tojaga said of being back in the starting 11.

“I had a lot of nerves going through my head at the time because it was a very frustrating process with a lot of ups and downs. There were moments where I didn’t know if I would even be back out there again, so to be back on the field with the team and to especially win in this type of environment − everything came together and it was a great night.”

Embick was thrilled to watch Tojaga contribute in 59 minutes of playing time.

“For a guy that started in the national final as a freshman [in 2018] and started a lot of games in 2019, we have missed him,” Embick said. “You could see a little bit of his quality [Sunday night] as he is coming back. He is a big leader on the team. He brings a lot of confidence and stability and just like him we have waited it out for so long, no one really knowing if we were going to get to this moment.

“I went to him last week and said ‘It looks like in training you are ready, so what do you think? Let’s get this going. We need you.’ He said ‘Yeah, I feel ready.’

“Now we have to get to the point where we build up his minutes and get him used to playing 90. [Sunday] was great. … We are excited to have him back. He is a big part of what we hope to accomplish.”

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Dyson Clapier scores goal in front of mom and dad

Clapier scored his goal Sunday in front of his parents, Jamie and Chris, who made the trek to Ohio from Layton, Utah.

“They usually try to come once a year to see one game,” Clapier said. “Obviously, it is great to see the family and I am happy to get one with them in the stands.”

UA sophomore Malik Henry had an assist on Clapier’s goal with nifty a pass.

Sangwa netted his goal in the 14^th minute following a free kick by Zips sophomore Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal.

Kamdem’s goal in the 19^th minute came off of a deflection after Zips sophomore Jason Shokalook fired a shot off of the right post.

Paulus contributed his goal in the 39^th minute after receiving a pass from sophomore Josh Hallenberger.

NIU’s goal came in the 89^th minute after a UA defender accidently kicked the ball into the net.

UA freshman goalkeeper Mitch Budler saved NIU’s lone shot on goal.

“I am happy,” Embick said. “We came out with a lot of energy and intensity and I thought we were pretty sharp. I think that showed early on. I think once you get a big lead sometimes the sharpness goes. In the second half, for the most part, we kept it going. The goals didn’t follow in the second half, but up until the last minute we didn’t really give anything away.

“Overall, I am really pleased. This was a good way to start the conference.”

Akron Zips men’s soccer quick kicks

● Paulus, a reserve midfielder and Highland High School graduate, was one of five players with local ties that played for the Zips on Sunday.

The other four were junior starter Will Jackson (Hudson), redshirt freshman reserve Sam Harter (Copley) and freshmen reserves Stefan Dobrijevic (Firestone) and Levi Stephens (Firestone).

● Akron’s next three matches are on the road at Bowling Green on Wednesday, at Chicago State on Oct. 9 and at Western Michigan on Oct. 13.

The Zips next home match is against Bowling Green on Oct. 17.

Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Beaven on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBeavenABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sam Tojaga returns to Akron men's soccer starting lineup, Zips top NIU