No. 1 Men's Soccer Opens MAC Play with 6-0 Romp

September 27 | Men's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio - Midfielder Michael Nanchoff matched a 53-year school record as the top-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team cruised to a 6-0 victory over Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams Saturday night at Lee Jackson Field.

While leading the attack, Nanchoff, who missed the entire 2008 season due to an illness, became one of just three players in the history of the UA program to record four assists in a single game. Interesting to note, the record, which was originally set by Ed Bender in 1956, was also matched by Nachoff's father, George Nanchoff, during the 1974 campaign.

UA (7-0-0, 1-0-0 MAC) exploded offensively despite field conditions that were far from ideal. Intermittent rain throughout the day and patches of heavy downpour during the game proved to be a challenge for both teams.

In all, the Zips received six goals from five different players while also racking up seven assists against the Falcons (1-6-2, 0-1-0). For the game, UA owned advantages over BGSU in a number of categories, including shots (21-2), shots on goal (11-0) and corner kicks (7-1), and were never legitimately threatened.

"Our goal coming into this game was to play our standard and I thought we did that - especially in the first half," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "This team continues to get better each and every game and that is a good sign. I still think we are just scratching the surface of what we are capable of but we are progressing in different ways each week."

Akron was especially dangerous in restarts against the Falcons with its first goal of the game coming off a corner kick from Nanchoff to Chad Barson, who headed the ball into the net in the seventh minute.

Nanchoff initiated UA's second goal as well. In the 19th minute, the third-year sophomore drew the defense near midfield before dishing the ball to Chris Korb on the left side. Korb's one-timer found Teal Bunbury, who banged it home from 12 yards out for his first of two goals on the night.

Nanchoff was in the mix again in the 25th minute when his shot from close range deflected off the BGSU keeper and settled in front of Darlington Nagbe, who recorded his third goal of the campaign with a shot into the right corner of the net.

Bunbury added his second goal of the evening in the 35th minute to make it 4-0 and Ben Zemanski recorded his first goal of 2009 little more than a minute later following a free kick by Anthony Ampaipitakwong. Nanchoff and Ben Speas then teamed up for UA's sixth goal - all coming before halftime.

"It was pleasing to score two goals off set pieces," Porter said. "We have been working hard on them and it paid off tonight. I also like that we scored a few garbage goals where we were determined in the box and put our bodies on the line. Our killer instinct and ability to put teams away has been much better recently."

The Zips will put their perfect record on the line next Wednesday night when Ohio State comes to Lee Jackson Field starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are limited however and fans are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid being turned away at the gates. Call 1-888-99-AKRON for ticket information.

"We have had barnburners with Ohio State the last several years and it should be no different this time around," Porter said. "Hopefully the AK-Rowdies and community will come out to support us in what should be a fantastic college soccer game."

The Zips were 2-0 against the Buckeyes last year. UA rallied to defeat OSU, 4-3, in Columbus during the regular season before slipping by 1-0 in a double-overtime game during the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Zips Notebook: UA has out-scored its opponents, 18-1, in its last five games ... The Zips have allowed just one goal through seven contests in 2009 and have shut out their last four foes ... Since joining the MAC in 1993, UA is 77-10-6 versus league members, including 15-1-1 under Porter ... Akron is 44-2-4 at Lee Jackson Field since 2005 ... Bunbury has recorded four goals in his last two games and leads the team with five on the year ... Both Barson and Speas recorded their first career goals Saturday night.