The University of Akron Athletics
Mattocks Leads No. 1 Men's Soccer to 4-0 Win vs. Buffalo
October 17 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio - Freshman striker Darren Mattocks netted his first hat trick to lead The No. 1 University of Akron men's soccer team to a convincing 4-0 victory Saturday night at Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field.
The Zips, who improved to 11-0-1 overall and 4-0-0 in Mid-American Conference play, dominated the game from start to finish, out-shooting the Bulls 22-2, including an 11-0 margin in the first half. Both of UB's shots came late in the second half from distance and weren't on goal.
Mattocks scored twice in the first half and once more in the second for his second multiple-goal performance of the season. The Jamaican native, who entered the game as the second-highest scoring freshman in the country, leads the Zips with 10 goals in 12 games.
With the win, Akron extended its league unbeaten streak to 27 games (25-0-2), which represents the third-longest run in NCAA history. UA is also unbeaten in its last 31 home contests (30-0-1), which is the fourth-longest streak.
The Bulls fell back into their third of the field to start the game but the Zips had little trouble breaking them down, scoring three goals in the first half.
Akron nearly broke through in the game's fifth minute when Michael Nanchoff's corner kick found the head of Kofi Sarkodie from the left side of the box but UB goalkeeper Nick Fetterman was there to make the save.
With possession, precision and patience, the Zips knocked down the door in the 21st minute and never looked back with two goals in a seven-minute span.
Nanchoff, who converted a penalty kick in double overtime to lift Akron to a 2-1 win at Penn State Wednesday, stayed perfect on the season with his third successful PK in as many attempts for UA's first goal after Mattocks was brought down in the box.
Mattocks then scored his first of two goals of the half in the 28th minute when Darlington Nagbe fed him a through ball in the middle of the box. Mattocks took the pass in stride and beat the keeper from 10 yards.
The Zips made it 3-0 in the 41st minute when Mattocks slipped the ball inside the near post off a corner kick from Anthony Ampaipitakwong. Mattocks scored Akron's third straight goal in the 63rd minute after shaking his defender from just outside the top of the box.
In addition to its considerable margin for shots taken, UA posted advantages in shots on goal (11-0) and corner kicks (10-0).
Akron's four-game homestand continues Tuesday night when Michigan pays visit to Lee R. Jackson Soccer Field in a game that will be broadcast on Sports Time Ohio. The Zips and Wolverines will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
Zips Notebook: Saturday's game marked the 100th of UA head coach Caleb Porter's career. Porter has posted an overall record of 79-12-9 in four-plus years at Akron ... UA also improved to 23-1-1 against the MAC under Porter ... UA is 4-0 at home this season where it has out-scored opponents, 15-0 ... Mattocks has scored six goals in his last four matches.
