Follow Akron Men's Soccer on Twitter and Facebook Purchase 2018 Men's Soccer Season and Single-Game Tickets Click Here The University of Akron men's soccer program will enter the 2018 campaign with another top-10 ranking as College Soccer News tabbed the Zips No. 7 in the country in its preseason poll.Akron was previously pegged at No. 4 nationally in the preseason poll released by United Soccer Coaches.The Zips kick off their 64th season of intercollegiate soccer on Friday, Aug. 24, as Akron welcomes ninth-rated Butler to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field for a 7 p.m. showdown. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN3.The Bulldogs registered a mark of 14-5-2 a season ago, including battling then top-rated and preseason No. 2 Indiana to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on the way to advancing the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.Seven of the Zips' 2018 opponents were rated in the preseason top-30 led by No. 4 Michigan State (Oct. 9), No. 11 Butler (Aug. 24), No. 14 Western Michigan (Nov. 3), No. 18 Seattle (Sept. 7), No. 19 Washington (Sept. 9), No. 20 Notre Dame (Oct. 23) and No. 29 North Carolina State (Aug. 27).Akron will welcome Butler, North Carolina State and Western Michigan to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field on Aug. 24, Aug. 27 and Nov. 3, respectively, while encountering road tilts at No. 4 Michigan State (Oct. 9), No. 18 Seattle (Sept. 7), No. 19 Washington (Sept. 9) and No. 20 Notre Dame (Oct. 23).Additionally, the Zips will play a pair of opponents receiving votes in the preseason poll, including hosting Creighton (Oct. 16), while facing a road test at VCU (Sept. 26).In all, the Zips will square off against ranked teams in four of their first five matches in 2018 as Akron plays No. 11 Butler (Aug. 24), No. 29 North Carolina State (Aug. 27), Pittsburgh (Sept. 1), at No. 18 Seattle (Sept. 7) and at No. 19 Washington (Sept. 9).The Zips have found success on their home pitch throughout their storied history as Akron was recently being tabbed as one of the nine-best places to watch college soccer bySince 2007, the Zips have recorded a 115-8-13 (.893) ledger in home matches at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field, including an NCAA-best 17 consecutive victories dating back to the 2016 season. Akron owns five unbeaten campaigns during that span, including posting home marks of 12-0-1, 13-0-0, 12-0-1, 10-0-2 and 12-0-0 during the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2017 seasons, respectively.A year ago, the Zips were one of three teams in Division I that maintained an undefeated home mark joining SMU (13-0) and Pacific (7-0) as Akron posted a 12-0-0 mark at FirstEnergy Stadium - Cub Cadet Field. That run of victories included triumphs over No. 1 Michigan State (4-1), No. 8 Notre Dame (2-0), No. 10 Washington (2-0), No. 13 Wisconsin (3-2), No. 21 UMass Lowell (5-0) and No. 22 Seattle (3-0).In 2018 the Zips' 10-match home slate includes visits to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field by Butler and Creighton from the Big East, North Carolina State, Pittsburgh and Syracuse from the ACC and Connecticut from the AAC. A very fan-friendly slate features six of Akron's 10 home games taking place on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.Limited Reserved Bleacher Back ($110) and General Admission ($60) 2018 season tickets as well as single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by logging on to GoZips.com/tickets , call or text 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Discounted General Admission season tickets for Akron Faculty/Staff are also available for $48 and must be purchased in person or on the phone. Additionally, General Admission Family Plans ($200), which include a combination of two adult and two youth tickets or one adult and three youth tickets, are available for the fall at this time.As another option, all Akron Alumni are eligible to purchase the Alumni All-Sport Season Ticket Package for $175, which includes General Admission season tickets for men's and women's soccer, volleyball, men's and women's basketball, and a reserved seat for football.