The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Michigan State
Men's Soccer Sweeps Big Ten With 1-0 Win At Michigan State
October 31 | Men's Soccer
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EAST LANSING, Mich. – The No. 2 University of Akron men's soccer team pushed its unbeaten streak to 12 matches and its win streak to 11 with a 1-0 victory against Michigan State Wednesday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium.
Robbie Derschang netted the match's lone goal early in the second half and goalkeeper David Meves made a couple of clutch saves in the closing minutes as the Zips (14-1-2) completed a season sweep of the Big Ten Conference for the third time in four seasons, improving to 5-0 versus the leauge in 2012 and 18-2-1 since 2009.
Akron, which leads the nation in shutout percentage, has now shut out 11 of its last 12 opponents and registered 13 clean sheets in total this fall. Furthermore, UA has out-scored its last 11 foes by a count of 29-1.
After the teams played to a scoreless tie at the break, Derschang put the Zips up for good in the 48th minute. The junior earned a corner kick with a long run and then flicked home a service by Scott Caldwell from the near post. Derschang's header deflected briefly off a Michigan State defender and into the back of the net.
As time wound down, the Spartans (8-8-1) threw numbers forward and created some tense moments but Meves and the Zips were up to the challenge.
Michigan State's best opportunity to find the equalizer came in the 88th minute following a corner kick. But Meves pushed Kevin Cope's header off the cross bar and took Ryan Keener's rebound in the chest to preserve the victory.
For the match, Akron doubled up Michigan State in shots, 14-7, and posted a 5-3 edge on goal. UA also earned five corner kicks to MSU's two.
The Zips dominated play in the first half, posting an 8-2 advantage in shots and owned all four shots on goal, but couldn't capitalize.
UA's best chance to score in the first half came in the 39th minute when Aodhan Quinn sprung Reinaldo Brenes with a through ball from midfield. Brenes gained possession and fired a shot headed for the far post but MSU keeper Zach Bennett, who finished with four saves, threw up a hand up to punch the ball out of play.
Dillon Serna's ensuing corner kick found Brenes in the box but Bennett was there once again to scoop up the header.
Akron will return to FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field for the final match of the regular season Saturday night when it hosts Western Michigan on Senior Night. The Zips and Broncos will kick off at 7:30 p.m. (ET) after a special tribute to UA's four seniors; Chad Barson, Caldwell, Meves and Thomas Schmitt.
Zips Notebook: The Zips improved to 25-11-1 all-time against Michigan State and 22-6-5 versus schools from the Big Ten under Coach Porter ... Akron shut out all five Big Ten opponents this season, earning victories against Indiana (1-0), Penn State (2-0), Michigan (1-0), Ohio State (1-0) and Michigan State (1-0) ... UA is 109-3-4 when it scores first and 89-1-3 when it shuts out an opponent since 2006.
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