UMass might be done in the 2007 NCAA College Cup, but senior goalkeeper Zack Simmons will go down in Minutemen history as one of the best 'keepers the team ever had. He's played every minute of all 26 games that UMass has played this season. Friday night, he showed his skills as he stopped six Ohio State attempts.
"He's a great goalkeeper," Ohio State's Xavier Balc said. "We knew that going in. We knew it was going to be a tough game to get the ball past him. While he was on the ground we put it away."
Simmons said it wasn't hard to be ready for the final four.
"You don't need motivation to play well on a night like tonight," he said. "We all tried to bring our 'A' game. I'm proud of what these guys did."
A modest man and a team player, Simmons said he couldn't have done it without his teammates. In the 2007 campaign, he earned nine shutouts while making 118 saves and allowing just 22 goals. Simmons helped the team to a 17-8-1 record and its first ever College Cup.
UMass made its run to the Final Four by being a "Cinderella" team and knocking off Boston University (2-1), No. 1 Boston College (2-1), Central Connecticut (3-1) and Illinois Chicago (2-1). They now end the fairytale, but proud of what they've accomplished.
"This team did an incredible job," Simmons said. "I don't see any reason why the success can't continue. To make it to the final four ... takes a little bit of luck. This group of guys this year, the work we've put in the past few years, has raised expectations for this program. I don't see why it can't continue."
UMass could be headed in the right direction. And lucky for them, Simmons will be back for another go at it. He's played in 62 games for the Minutemen and started every one. He has 23 shutouts in his career. Simmons broke the career for shutouts in three seasons. His 23 are best all-time for career Minutemen.
HONORS FOR NYARKO: Virginia Tech might be out of the running for a national championship but junior forward Patrick Nyarko is still a name to look for. He was named as a finalist (one of three) for the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy on Friday. The winner will be announced during a nationally televised news conference on Jan. 11, 2008.
Nyarko helped lead the Hokies to the College Cup with seven goals and 10 assists. Wake Forest shut him down, but it wasn't easy.
"Patrick's a special player," Wake Forest head coach Jay Vidovich said. "He scores goals and creates goals for his team. He creates havoc on opponents."
In his career with Virginia Tech, the Ghana native has tallied 31 goals in 57 games 24 assists. Look for his success to continue.
