The University of Akron Athletics
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Western Michigan
Men's Soccer Upset by Western Michigan in Penalty Kick Shootout
November 11 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – After playing to a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, the top-seeded University of Akron men's soccer team was defeated by fourth-seeded Western Michigan, 4-3, in penalty kicks in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
It was a bitter result for the Zips (13-3-4), who out-shot the Broncos 10-3 in the first half and 22-10 overall, and held a 1-0 lead with less than 10 minutes left in regulation.
UA, which entered the week ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA poll and No. 21 in the RPI, will now have to wait until the NCAA Men's Soccer Selection Show Monday at 4:30 p.m., which will be streamed on NCAA.com, to determine its seeding for the NCAA Tournament.
WMU (6-11-3) advances to face the winner of the tournament's second semifinal match between No. 2 Northern Illinois and No. 3 Buffalo Sunday at 4 p.m.
Akron, which had won the last four MAC Tournament titles, took a 1-0 lead on a header by Matt Dagilis in the 65th minute. WMU found the equalizer in the 84th minute when Doug Raak flicked a free kick from Darren Jones over the head of UA goalkeeper David Meves from 12 yards out.
After both teams connected on their first two penalty kick attempts, a miss by Scott Caldwell opened the door for Western Michigan's Derek Schrauben, who gave WMU a 3-2 lead.
Aodhan Quinn kept Akron's hopes alive by burying one past the keeper but Jason Grant connected on WMU's fourth consecutive shot to keep the pressure on and a final attempt by UA's Darren Mattocks sailed high.
Akron had a number of scoring chances, particularly in the first half, but could not convert. Holmes a good look early but Western Michigan keeper Sean Lewis, who finished with six saves for the match, turned away his point blank header in the 20th minute.
Holmes nearly found the net again in the 42nd minute but his shot from straight on hit the right post. Just one minute later, a Broncos' turnover led to a long breakaway run by Mattocks, who found himself 1v1 with the keeper, but Lewis was there to turn away the Zips once again.
Akron domination possession in the second half as well but had to settle for the one goal.
Zips Notebook: Overshadowed by the shootout was the fact that UA matched Indiana for the third-longest conference unbeaten streak in NCAA history. Akron is undefeated in its last 38 matches against the league, including posteason.
