The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Northern Illinois
Men's Soccer Wins at Northern Illinois, 2-1
November 01 | Men's Soccer
DeKALB, Ill. — Akron men's soccer claimed its 10th win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Northern Illinois in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday night.
The Zips improved to 10-5-1 overall and 3-1 in MAC play, while the Huskies fell to 3-8-5 overall and 0-3-1 in the MAC.
"I thought we played very well overall," said Akron head coach Jared Embick. "It was unfortunate to give up a goal. But we showed a lot of character to find a way to win. It is never an easy game at NIU."
Akron's offense started with a corner kick in the third minute. In the 10th minute, redshirt freshman forward Sam Gainford (Whitehaven, England) had the Zips' first shot on goal, but it was saved by NIU keeper Andrew Glaeser.
Thirty seconds later, junior goalkeeper Jake Fenlason (San Diego, Calif.) had his first save of the night as he stopped a shot by Andrew Palumbo.
Junior forward Sean Sepe (West Islip, N.Y.) put the Zips on the scoreboard in the 17th minute with an unassisted goal.
In the 25th minute, UA had several attempts another goal. Gainford's shot hit the post and Sepe's shot was blocked. The Zips had another corner, but didn't convert.
In the 33rd minute, Gainford booted another ball that hit the crossbar. Three minutes later, freshman midfielder Richie Laryea (Toronto, Ont.) hammered another shot that Glaeser stopped.
As the first half was winding down, Sepe rifled a shot that hit the cross bar. The Zips attempted another corner kick.
Akron led 1-0 at halftime.
NIU came out of the locker room poised to score. In the 47th minute, the Huskies had their first corner kick of the game. Len Heinson headed the ball, and the Zips had another save.
The Akron offense responded. Sophomore midfielder Victor Souto's (Sao Paolo, Brazil) shot went wide, while sophomore midfielder Adam Najem's (Clifton, N.J.) shot was high. Gainford had another shot that was blocked.
NIU's shot in the 56 minute was blocked.
In the 59th minute, the Huskies had several opportunities to score. Heinson and Palumbo each had a shot on goal, both saved by Fenlason.
In the 78th minute, NIU's Richard Hall tied the game at 1-1.
In the 82nd minute, Najem put the Zips ahead 2-1 on a penalty kick goal, his 10th goal of the season and fourth game-winner.
In the final two minutes of action, Gainford and freshman forward Stuart Holthusen (Auckland, New Zealand) had shots on goal, all saved by Glaeser.
Overall, Akron had 16 shots to NIU's nine. The Zips had eight shots on goal to the Huskies' six. Akron had five corner kicks to NIU's three in the second half.
Fenlason recorded four saves in 90 minutes of action. Glaeser had six saves.
With the win, Akron moved into first place in the MAC with a 3-1 record (9 pts). Western Michigan, which beat UA and holds the tie-breaker edge, is second at 2-1-1 (7 pts.) after a 2-1 loss at Bowling Green. The 2014 regular-season champion will be crowned after the teams' final MAC games on Nov. 8. WMU hosts West Virginia at 1 p.m., while Akron hosts Buffalo at 7 p.m.
"We look forward to getting ready for a big week ahead," Embick said.
Akron travels to No. 16 Penn State on Wednesday, Nov. 5 for a 7 p.m. contest.
