The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Wins MAC Tourney; Gains Berth to NCAA
November 19 | Men's Soccer
AKRON – The University of Akron men's
soccer team, who won the 2007 Mid-American Conference
regular-season crown, completed the sweep Sunday afternoon at Lee
Jackson Field with a 1-0 double-overtime victory over second-seed
Buffalo to win the 2007 MAC Tournament title, as well as earn the
league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship.
Although dominating the game statistically, the Zips were not able
to put the ball in the back of the Bulls' net until early in the
second overtime. Akron sophomore Ben
Zemanski (Akron, Ohio/Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) sent
the ball from near midfield to deep in the right corner of the
Bulls defense. Senior Steve Kalan (Highland Heights,
Ohio/Mayfield HS) tracked down the ball just before it hit the
endline and served the ball to the middle of the field. Freshman Anthony
Ampaipitakwong (Carrollton, Texas/IMG (Fla.) Academy) flashed
to the ball and headed it past UB keeper Robert Shuttleworth in the
101st minute for the Zips' fifth MAC Tournament title.
"We played a team that was not going to go down easy and I
commend Buffalo for the fight and tremendous heart they displayed
today," said UA head coach Caleb
Porter. "It was difficult to break down their block of players,
but we kept the pressure on and our players never stopped believing
that they would score. Similar to Friday (when Steve
Zakuani scored an impressive goal in double overtime), it took
a special goal to win and Ampai (Anthony Ampaipitakwong) provided
that. I am very proud of this team. They deserved to win this
championship."
Akron held an 18-4 advantage in shots taken for the match, while
getting nine corner kicks to the Bulls one. In the first half, the
shots were nearly even at 4-3 in UA's favor. However, Akron's
defense only allowed one more Bulls' shot the remainder of the
match. The Zips' defensive effort, spurred by All-Tournament picks
Devin McKenney (North Olmstead, Ohio/North
Olmstead HS) and Corey Sipos (Tucson, Ariz./Salpointe Cathlolic),
is even more impressive considering Buffalo's Matt Bulley, who did
not get off one shot, entered the MAC tourney as the league leader
shots, points and goals.
Buffalo's Shuttleworth, who lost for just his second time in 12
matches in goal, was credited with five saves, including an
impressive deflection off a Matt
Tutich (Westmont, Ill./Hillsdale Central HS) rocket from the
top of the box in the first half. Akron's Evan Bush
(Concord, Ohio/Lake Catholic HS) had two saves as he posted his
12th shutout of the season and the 35th of his career.
Zip fans can join the athletics department in finding out Akron's
postseason fate this Monday, at 5:30 pm at Cleats in Fairlawn when
the NCAA College Cup selection show will be telecast in ESPN
News.
2007 MAC Men's Soccer All-Tournament
Team
Devin McKenney – Akron
Corey Sipos – Akron
Steve Zakuani – Akron
Ben Zemanski – Akron
Robert Shuttleworth – Buffalo
Dan Gwyther – Buffalo
Dan Stevens – Buffalo
Chris Sardon – Hartwick
Liam Parrington – Hartwick
Chris Ruffa – Northern Illinois
Steve Algozino – Northern Illinois
