The University of Akron Athletics
Winter Indoor Tournament Recap
March 17 | Women's Soccer
March 17, 2006
AKRON, Ohio - On March 4, the University of Akron women's soccer team played host to a 20-team indoor tournament in the Athletics Field House. Some of the top talent from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Canada traveled to the UA campus for the competition.
The day got underway at 9:30 a.m., with the first tip off from local clubs: Ohio Premier North, the Internationals, Cleveland FC, and Pennine United.
Early in the day, the Internationals raised the bar with three quick wins. Two other teams, Lakota Premier and Pennine United, quickly followed suit with 3 wins in group play.
Akron placed fourth heading into the playoff round. An exciting golden-goal match between Cleveland FC and St. Catherine's had to determine the seeding of the final two slots, in which St. Catherine's prevailed.
In the northern bracket, the talented teams of the Internationals and the Zips quickly knocked off opponents as they moved into the final four. Ohio Premier South and St. Catherine's also projected themselves in the quartet of finalists. Thus, the preceding competition had led to a heightened atmosphere for the champion to be determined.
Ohio Premier South knocked off the St. Catherine Jets in the semifinals utilizing the long ball attack. It appeared that the long day of competition, along with some injuries proved to be too much for the Jets to overcome.
In the other semifinal match, a seesaw battle between Akron and the Internationals gave the fans their admission worth of action. Both teams held a lead during the game. The Zips went ahead 20 minutes in, but in the last 30 seconds the Internationals were able to equalize. In overtime Akron quickly attacked the Internationals goal, but were unable to score. The counter attack of the Internationals led to the game-winner.
The final culminated with another quality match. Ohio Premier
South jumped out to a two-goal lead, but the Internationals fought
back and took the lead, only to be tied up once again.
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As the game progressed, the International's experience proved to be the deciding factor when the game was on the line - scoring late goals and earning the tournament title.
The Akron women's soccer program wants to congratulate all the teams that participated in this year's event, and looks forward to next year's tournament.
