The University of Akron Athletics
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Western Michigan
Men's Soccer Tames Broncos, Takes MAC Opener, 3-0
October 01 | Men's Soccer
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Newcomers Aodhan Quinn scored twice and Luke Holmes added a goal and an assist to lead the No. 4 University of Akron men's soccer team to a 3-0 victory at Western Michigan in the Mid-American Conference opener for both schools Saturday.
The Zips, who remained unbeaten on the season with a 7-0-2 overall record, put away the Broncos (3-7-0) early with all three goals coming in the first 30 minutes of the match. With the win, UA extended its consecutive conference unbeaten streak to 32 games (30-0-2), which represents the sixth-longest run in NCAA history.
"I was very proud of this team for how sharp they were in the first half," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "They came out with the right mentality and showed that physical and direct play does not win out against us. Some of the soccer they put together in that first half was special – especially on a slippery field and against a team that was clearly taking a negative approach to the game."
Akron, which has now scored nine goals in its last three contests, out-shot WMU 13-6 for the game, including a 9-1 margin in the first 45 minutes and a 9-3 advantage on frame. Holmes led the team in shots for the second straight contest with five attempts; all but one on frame.
The Broncos were called for 20 fouls in the match and drew two cautions.
"To get the shutout and create so many attractive sequences leading to goals is a sign this team is starting to figure out the balance of playing soccer but also making sure it is effective in the end result," Porter added.
It was a career day for Quinn, who scored three goals in 22 matches as a freshman at Bradley. The sophomore from San Diego, Calif., got Akron on the board in the 14th minute by finishing a cross from Holmes. Then, less than five minutes later, Quinn buried a pass from Scott Caldwell to give the Zips a 2-0 lead.
It was the first multiple-goal game of Quinn's career and the Zips' third mutiple-goal performance of the season.
Holmes, who also scored a goal and added an assist in his UA debut last Wednesday against Ohio State, then put the game out of reach in the 30th minute. Wil Trapp found Holmes with some space on the left flank and the senior transfer from Notre Dame College slipped the ball past the keeper far post.
Preseason All-American goalkeeper David Meves was credited with three saves while helping to ensure UA's sixth shutout in nine matches – covering more than 865 minutes – this fall.
The Zips will next head to the site of their 2010 national championship when they travel to UC Santa Barbara to face the Gauchos Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m. (ET) on FOX Soccer Channel.
"This team is really excited to square off against Santa Barbara Wednesday," Porter said. "I think you will see a confident group take the field with a lot of belief like they have had in other road games this year."
Akron has just one loss during its last 26 (22-1-3) regular-season road and neutral site matches.
Zips Notebook: Akron has been defeated just once during the regular run of play in its last 59 matches, dating back to the start of the 2009 season ... UA improved to 29-2-1 all-time versus Western Michigan ... UA head coach Caleb Porter earned the 97th win of his career Saturday ... Porter is 27-1-1 against the MAC since becoming the Zips' head coach in 2006.
