The University of Akron Athletics
Soccer Dances Into Sweet Sixteen With 1-0 Victory
November 26 | Men's Soccer
– A header from Matt Tutich off a restart with five seconds
left in the second overtime period lifted the fifth-seeded
University of Akron men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Ohio
State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Wednesday
afternoon.
The Zips (17-1-4) will advance to face Northwestern (14-4-3), which
defeated 12th-seeded Notre Dame (12-7-2) in its second-round
match-up, Sunday.
Wednesday's game, which was originally scheduled to be played
Tuesday night at Lee Jackson Field, was played at Green State
Stadium at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School due to unplayable
field conditions. After Wednesday's game, the NCAA committee ruled
that Akron's home game against the Wildcats will be played at
Northwestern Sunday at 2 p.m. (EST).
An Ohio State foul with approximately 20 ticks on the clock set up
the game-winner for Tutich, which was his third on the year. Ben
Zemanski lofted a perfectly-placed ball into the box where
Tutich redirected it into the left-hand corner past OSU goalkeeper
Drew Czekanski for his sixth goal.
"This team has proven all year long that it has a special quality
of finding a way to win," said UA head coach Caleb
Porter. "In that second overtime period, we just looked like we
were going to win. We were clearly the aggressor."
With the victory, the Zips advanced to their fourth Sweet Sixteen
in program history, after having accomplished the feat in 2005,
2003 and 1986. They are one win shy of matching the school record
of 18, set in 2005, and one shutout short of matching the mark of
15, also set in 2005.
Akron was on the attack for nearly the entire game, out-shooting
Ohio State, 20-9, overall and 7-3 on goal. UA owned shot advantages
of 8-3 in each of the first two halves of play, but couldn't cash
in as the Zips found themselves in their third straight overtime
contest in an elimination game.
But, as in each of the last two games, Akron kept fighting and
found a way to advance.
"Ohio State is a very gritty and experienced team and I have to
give them a lot of credit," Porter said. "But, in the end, I
thought the best team won today."
Zips Notebook: Akron is undefeated in its last 17
contests ... UA leads the all-time series with Ohio State, 23-6-2,
dating back to the 1955 season ... Akron defeated OSU, 4-3, in
Columbus earlier this season.
