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.

Well, it certainly wasn't for lack of effort. The University of Akron Men's Soccer team lost a physical 1-0 decision to UNC-Charlotte of the Atlantic 10 Conference in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Giuseppe Gentile punched in a corner kick from Jennings Rex (not making these names up) in the 25th minute and the 49ers never looked back. Though Akron failed to defend their National Championship, they still put up an impressive record given their schedule and due to the fact that seven starters were lost to the MLS from last year's Championship team. Only three of the top eleven from this year's squad are seniors, so barring any unforeseen departures the Zips should be in national title contention once again in 2012.