The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Tame Bearcats, Claim Akron Tournament Title
September 07 | Men's Soccer
The No. 5 University of Akron men's soccer team had to come from
behind for the first time this season to defeat Cincinnati, 2-1,
and bring home the University of Akron Tournament title before 972
fans at Lee Jackson Field Sunday. The Zips (3-0-1) used a pair of
first-half scores, including the first goal of Matt
Dagilis' career, to push past the Bearcats (2-1-1).
Wisconsin-Green Bay (1-3-0) defeated West Virginia (0-2-1) by the
same count in the first game of the day to take third place.
"I have to give credit for our guys for coming from behind and
stepping up to the challenge," said third-year head coach Caleb
Porter. "Every game presents a different challenge and we knew
that Cincinnati was a tough opponent. They are very effective on
throw ins. You don't want to play from behind, but this kind of win
will make us better in the long run."
Four UA players were named to the all-tournament team, led by
Offensive MVP Steve Zakuani, who recorded his second goal in as
many games Sunday, and Defensive MVP Kofi
Sarkodie, who led a relentless backline that allowed just one
goal in two games.
Freshman Darlington Nagbe was presented the Sportsmanship
Award for the weekend after a vote of tournament referees. Dagilis,
who has started all four games for the Zips, also earned
all-tournament team honors.
For the first time all season, the Zips found themselves trailing
after a rebounded shot by UC's Branden Stelmak off a throw in that
found the back end of the net at the 12:25 mark.
But Dagilis, who starred at nearby Firestone High School, pulled
the Zips even after a well-executed play off a UA corner kick. Anthony
Ampaipitakwong put the wheels in motion with a well struck ball
near the left side of the penalty area. A deke move by Ben
Zemanski and a deflection by Zakuani opened up a scoring lane
for Dagilis, who fired true at the 21:56 mark.
"It was like a dream come true," said Dagilis of his first goal in
an Akron uniform. "It meant the world to me."
Zakuani, a Hermann Trophy candidate, proved why he is one of the
most talented college players in the nation in putting the Zips up
for good with 6:10 left in the half. The speedy forward broke away
from the pack and outmaneuvered a pair of UC defenders to post his
third goal in the first four games of the season. As a true
freshman, Zakuani led Akron with six goals in 2007.
The scoring purge capped off a dominating opening period for the
Zips, who out-shot Cincinnati, 9-3.
Akron will look to capture its third straight tournament title next
weekend when it travels to Albuquerque, N.M. for the Nike
Invitational. The Zips will face host New Mexico Friday night at 9
p.m. (EST) and Missouri State Sunday at 2:30 p.m. (EST)
Zips Notebook: UA is 7-2-0 all-time versus
Cincinnati and 4-2 versus the Bearcats at Lee Jackson Field ...
Freshman Chris Barton made his home debut Sunday, entering
the game for Ampaipitakwong in the second half ... The Zips owned a
5-0 corner-kick advantage in the second half.
University of Akron Tournament
Order of Finish
1. Akron
2. Cincinnati
3. Wisconsin-Green Bay
4. West Virginia
All-Tournament Team
Steve Zakuani, Akron
Matt Dagilis, Akron
Evan Bush, Akron
Kofi Sarkodie, Akron
Brad Simpson, Cincinnati
D.J. Albert, Cincinnati
Branden Stelmak, Cincinnati
J.C. Banks, Wisconsin-Green Bay
Tosaint Ricketts, Wisconsin-Green Bay
Raymond Gaddis, West Virginia
Alex Silva, West Virginia
Offenseive MVP: Steve
Zakuani, Akron
Defensive MVP: Kofi
Sarkodie, Akron
Sportsmanship Award: Darlington
Nagbe, Akron
