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Western Michigan
No. 19/22 Men's Soccer Falls 1-0 to Western Michigan
October 25 | Men's Soccer
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Final Statistics | Final Statistics (PDF) | Highlights
AKRON, Ohio – A Western Michigan goal in the 31st minute would be the only score of the match as the No. 19/22 Akron men's soccer team fell 1-0 to the Broncos on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
The loss snapped a 13-match home unbeaten streak dating back to last season for the Zips, who dropped to 8-5-1, 2-1 in Mid-American Conference play. Western Michigan improved to 8-4-3, 2-0-1 in conference play.
Akron finished the night with an 11-9 advantage in shots on goal, with WMU holding a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal. Saad Abdul-Salaam, Victor Souto, Adam Najem and Sean Sepe finished with two shots each. Jake Fenlason recorded two saves.
Akron opened play on the offensive, controlling the ball for most of the first 10 minutes. Abdul-Salaam had a good look from the right wing in the third minute, but his attempt was blocked. Najem had a good look three minutes later, but his attempt would go wide left.
WMU's Jason Grant posted the Broncos' first shot of the night in the 14th minute, but Fenlason would save it for his first stop of the match.
The Broncos got on the board first in the 31st minute when Grant beat Fenlason from the left wing (30:55). The goal was set up by a Souto turnover in the Akron third.
Logan Wright nearly gave the Broncos a 2-0 lead just before the half, sailing a shot just over the bar in the final minute.
Both teams posted four shots in the first 45 minutes, but WMU would be the only squad to put a shot on goal (two).
After yellow cards were issued to UA's Brad Ruhaak and WMU's Sean Hazen, Najem's free kick from 25 yards out sailed wide (51:22).
Following an Akron foul, Sean Conerty hit the far post on a free kick just outside the box in the 54th minute. Fenlason was able to get a glove on the shot to push it off target.
Souto had one of Akron's best looks in the second half, getting the ball at the top of the box. However, he was not able to put the shot between the pipes.
In the 81st minute, Abdul-Salaam had a beautiful look from the right side, but WMU's keeper would grab the save. The shot was Akron's first on goal of the night. Sam Gainford had another look on goal for the Zips in the 85th minute, but Drew Shepherd kept the Broncos on top with his second save of the night.
A corner kick with 89th minute by Clint Caso would sail through the box, resulting in a WMU goal kick. The corner would be the final chance for the Zips.
The Zips play host to Cleveland State on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Zips Notebook: Midfielder Tyler Sanda earned the start in his Akron debut after missing the 2013 season due to injury ... the loss was just the third for the Zips against Western Michigan (32-3-2).
