Kozicki Nets Game Winner In 1-0 Victory Over Michigan

October 18 | Men's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio - Ashley Kozicki

(Kresgeville, Pa./Pleasant Valley/St. John's) chipped in his fifth goal of the season in the 44th minute, and the Zips again received solid play from goalkeeper Evan Bush (Concord, Ohio/Lake Catholic) and their defensive line for a 1-0 win over Michigan Wednesday night at Lee Jackson Field.

Akron improved to 9-4-1 on the season, while the Wolverines fell to 5-9-3.

"This was important game to get back in a rhythm and gain some confidence," said Akron head coach Caleb Porter. "We looked tired at times out there, but it was a good result. Our biggest motivation was to get our confidence back and to get a win."

Both teams looked a little off for most of the first half as they combined for just seven shots in the first 45 minutes of play. Akron's first opportunity came at 22:40 when Pablo Moreira (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville) threaded the ball up the middle to Steve Kalan (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield), who sent his shot just wide. Less than a minute later the Zips were back on the attack as midfielder Matt Tutich (Westmont, Ill./Hinsdale Central) carried the ball up the field but saw his shot roll off the right post and out of play.

Michigan nearly took the lead in the 29th minute when Bobby Trybula sent a ball in that was cleared out by Akron defender Ossie Michalsen (Bergen, Norway/Soccer Academy of Danielsen).

That set the stage for what would be the game-winning score off Kozicki's foot at 43:12. Tutich served the ball in from the left side, and the Zips crashed the box, allowing the ball to fall at the foot of an open Kozicki who calmly slid the ball into an open net for his fifth goal of the season. Kozicki is now tied with Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor/UIC) for the team lead in goals scored. Ubiparipovic did not play tonight due to an injury suffered in Saturday's game at Northern Illinois.

Bush came up with several big saves for Akron in the second half, including a diving stop to his left to corral the shot of Michigan's Perica Marosevic. He was credited with four saves in the game, picking up his eighth shutout of the season.

"Evan made some crucial saves for us tonight, and the play of our center backs was tremendous," Porter said.

Akron had several chances to add to its lead in the second half, beginning with a breakaway by Kalan that was saved by Michigan keeper Patrick Sperry. After being awarded a free kick in the 56th minute, Kozicki served the ball in and defender Devin McKenney (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted/Dayton) got a head on it but sent the ball just wide. Another breakaway by Geir Nyheim (Bergen, Norway/U.Pihl) in the 83rd minute resulted in Sperry's third save of the night.

Michigan finished with a 10-9 advantage in shots and had five on-goal looks to the Zips' three. Akron held a slight edge in corner kicks at 3-2.

The Zips are back in action this Friday as they travel to Bowling Green for a Mid-American Conference match up. Game time is set for 3 p.m. EDT at Mickey Cochrane Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.