The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Cal St. Fullerton
Men's Soccer Draws Cal State Fullerton, 0-0, at Labor Day Classic
September 01 | Men's Soccer
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The No. 2 University of Akron men's soccer team played Cal State Fullerton to a 0-0 draw Thursday in the opening match of the Cal State Northridge Labor Day Classic at Matador Soccer Field.
Despite a 10-2 advantage in shots, including a 6-1 margin on frame, in the first half alone, UA (1-0-1) was a little unlucky and had a hard time adjusting to the physical bullying by Cal State Fullerton (1-0-1), which recorded 28 fouls (to Akron's seven) and five yellow cards.
"We're not going to make excuses; we didn't play our best game today," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "But clearly, Fullerton's game plan was to chop the game up with fouls and be physical and not allow us to get into a rhythm.
"We could be disappointed with the way the game was officiated, but the bottom line is we didn't handle (the physical play) very well. To me, we looked like a young team that wasn't ready to deal with a physical team that came to play. Fullerton wanted to rattle us and, in some ways, it worked. We have to do better next time."
The goalkeepers for both teams stood out for their performance. Akron's David Meves made four saves, incaluding a pair of highlight-reel worthy stops, as well as made great reads on balls in the box while Fullerton's Trevor Whiddon finished the game with nine stops.
Ironically, Whiddon was not involved in the Zips' best opportunity to score however, when a Fullerton defender cleared the ball off the line in the 29th minute. Following a Zips' free kick from 40 yards out, Tommy Schmitt, who earned his first career start, gained control on the left side near the touch line and served the ball into the box. Scott Caldwell, who finished with a career-high seven shots, was there to receive it and headed it towards an open net only to be denied.
If the Zips were unlucky in the first half, they were lucky to start the second when a long-ranged shot by Fullerton's Roberto Vernaschi rang the left post following a Titans' free kick.
The remainder of play was fairly even with both teams earning chances, but neither could get into a rhythm due in large part to the sizable number of stoppages. For the game, the Zips out-shot the Titans 20-14 overall and 10-4 on frame.
UA's best opportunity to score in overtime came in the first stanza during a three-minute stretch that saw shots by Darren Mattocks and Caldwell result in Whiddon saves and a third shot by Wil Trapp, who had a good look from straight on, sail high.
Akron will have an off day before returning to Matador Soccer Stadium Saturday to take on host Cal State Northridge at 10 p.m. (ET) Live stats and an audio stream will be available on GoMatadors.com.
