The University of Akron Athletics
Soccer Captures MAC Tournament Championship
November 17 | Men's Soccer
A breakaway goal by Steve Zakuani in the 104th minute lifted
the top-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team to its fourth
Mid-American Conference Tournament championship in five years in a
1-0 defeat of No. 2 seed Northern Illinois Sunday afternoon at Lee
Jackson Field.
In all, it is the sixth MAC Tournament crown captured by Akron
(16-1-4), which also claimed its 11th conference regular-season
title this season, since joining the league in 1993. Both totals
are MAC records.
Zakuani, who was battling an ankle injury that forced him out of
the starting lineup for the first time of his career, slipped
behind the Huskies back line to take a midfield pass from Matt
Tutich. The forward then beat Huskies goal keeper Joe Zimka on
a one-on-one and found the back of the net from 17 yards with 5:08
remaining in the second overtime period.
It was Zakuani's nation-leading 20th goal of the season in 21 games
and his seventh game-winning score of the year.
Following the game, Akron's Evan
Bush, Tutich, Darlington Nagbe and Chris
Korb were named to the MAC All-Tournament team. Joining them
were Joe Zimka, Steve Kolzow and Drew Jeskey from Northern
Illinois; Dan Gwyther and Dan Bulley from Buffalo; and Liam
Parrington and John Paul Boyle from Hartwick.
Sunday's win grants the Zips an automatic berth to the NCAA
Tournament. The complete 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer
Championship selections will be announced, along with seedings,
live on ESPNews, Monday between 6-6:30 p.m. (EST).
To coincide with the exciting event, the Akron athletics department
will be hosting a watch party in the Tommy Evans Lounge in James A.
Rhodes Arena from 6-7 p.m.. The free event is open to the
public.
Harsh winter weather conditions, which featured a steady snow fall,
near freezing temperatures and winds gusting up to 17 miles per
hour, were a major factor in the game as Akron was unable to fully
utilize its speed and ball control on the wet field.
Nonetheless, UA dominated the ball for nearly the majority of the
game and was the clear aggressor with a 20-5 shots advantage,
including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal.
"The playing conditions were very tough," said UA head coach Caleb
Porter, the 2008 MAC Coach of the Year. "It was the type of
game that is more of a mental battle than anything and we knew we
weren't going to be able to play our style because of the
conditions. But we adjusted well and got a very positive
result."
Akron had a number of scoring opportunities for the game, but NIU
goal keeper Joe Zimka turned in a strong performance, finishing
with six saves. The UA defense was at its best as well, limiting
the Huskies to just one shot on goal in more than 104 minutes to
record its 13th shutout of the season.
"I thought we grew up today," Porter added. "You have to have
talent, and this young team does, but you also have to have the
intangibles. I thought this team looked like a champion today."
Zakuani, who was questionable to play at the start of the game,
entered in the 24th minute and toughed it out for 62 minutes. And
when the game was on the line, the Hermann Trophy candidate
produced.
"The weather conditions certainly didn't benefit Steve's style of
play," Porter said. "But he found a way to score and that's what
special players do. He came through today like he's done for us all
season."
Lee Jackson Field, which hosted six games in four days as the host
field of the tournament, was in outstanding condition considering
the amount of precipitation and activity it had endured.
"That's the result of the tremendous work (head grounds keeper)
Jim Fleming and his grounds crew did in getting
this field ready," Porter added. "They put in a lot of extra time
and deserve all the credit for having the field in such good
condition."
Zips Notebook: The Zips are undefeated in 16 games
... Akron won both the MAC regular season and tournament titles for
the fifth time in school history ... UA, which also brought home
the 2007 MAC Tournament trophy, won back-to-back MAC Tournament
titles for the second time after accomplishing in 2004 and 2005 as
well ... The Zips are 21-8-5 in the MAC all-time and 8-1-2 in games
played at Lee Jackson Field ... Akron improved to 3-1-0 all-time
versus NIU in the MAC Tournament. All four games were decided by
one goal and three (all UA wins) went into overtime.
2008 MAC All-Tournament Team
Evan Bush, Akron
Darlington Nagbe, Akron
Matt Tutich, Akron
Chris Korb, Akron
Joe Zimka, Northern Illinois
Steve Kolzow, Northern Illinois
Drew Jeskey, Northern Illinois
Dan Gwyther, Buffalo
Dan Bulley, Buffalo
Liam Parrington, Hartwick
John Paul Boyle, Hartwick
