Hustle Belt, for Mid-American Conference fans

The Vancouver Whitecaps selected Akron Sophomore striker Darren Mattocks with the second overall pick of the Major League Soccer SuperDraft, held today in Kansas City. He joins fellow Zip Michael Nanchoff in Vancouver, who was the eighth pick of the 2011 SuperDraft. Mattocks scored 21 goals this season, was MAC Player of the Year and also a Hermann Trophy semi-finalist. The addition of Mattocks to the professional ranks makes a total of 14 former Zips who now play in the MLS. No other MAC student-athletes were drafted this year.

A decisive 3-0 win over BGSU gave the Zips their seventh straight regular season championship, powered by three second-half goals. Darren Mattocks had two of them. Of course he did.

Count 'em ... that's Zips taken at Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8. Darlington Nagbe, Perry Kitchen, Zarek Valentin, Kofi Sarkodie, and Michael Nanchoff were all snapped up in the first eight picks. And that's apparently one fewer than expected -- Anthony Ampaipitakwong slipped to the second round. Last year UA had two first-rounders in the SuperDraft. Nasty? Or dynasty?

The Zips papier-mâchéd WMU 4-0 in the championship to finish 18-1-1 for the regualr season. Yes, they lost a single game, and it was to 9-10-1 Cleveland State. I won't hold it against 'em. Akron is ranked #2 behind unbeaten Louisville. Onward to the NCAA tournament, Soccer Roos.