The 2005 Akron Zips men’s soccer team had a breakthrough season, finishing with a 15-3-3 overall record and a 6-1-0 record in conference play. Led by head coach Caleb Porter, the Zips captured their first-ever MAC championship by defeating Buffalo in the championship game.

The Zips’ success was built on a strong defense and a balanced offensive attack. Senior goalkeeper Evan Bush was a standout player, recording 10 shutouts on the season and earning MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. On the offensive side, the Zips were led by forward Steve Zakuani, who scored 14 goals and was named MAC Player of the Year.

After winning the MAC championship, the Zips advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. In the first round, they defeated Michigan State 1-0 in overtime, with Zakuani scoring the game-winning goal. In the second round, they faced UC Santa Barbara, but were eliminated from the tournament with a 2-0 loss.