The University of Akron Athletics
Comeback Falls Short For Men's Soccer In Spring Exhibition
April 12 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer team suffered its first setback of the spring exhibition season as Dayton handed the Zips a 2-1 defeat Saturday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field.
"We weren't good enough today," said UA head coach Jared Embick. "We were poor in possession and didn't transition well enough. It was a good game for us to learn from as Dayton was organized, direct and physical. We will see that style of play in the fall and will need to perform better."
With a goal in each half, the Flyers – who were the last team in Division I to suffer a loss while finishing with an overall record of 14-2-3 in 2013 – jumped out to a 2-0 lead. UD drew first blood in the 18th minute on a well-struck side volley from 15 yards and then doubled up the score in the 65th minute with a shot that bounced off the post and into the net.
Akron cut the advantage in half in the 84th minute when Sean Sepe took a short pass from Adam Najem and fired a laser into the upper right 90. It was the third goal in as many spring matches for Sepe, who was St. John's leading goal scorer as a sophomore last fall.
Sepe then came inches from completing the Akron comeback with just three minutes to play when his liner sailed across the goal, banged off the far post, and skipped out of harm's way.
It was one of several of scoring chances for UA, which struggled to find its groove on the attack until midway through the second half.
The Zips, who are 2-1 this spring, will next host Louisville next Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field. Akron and the Cardinals are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. There is no charge for admission.
Zips Starters vs. Dayton
GK Jake Fenlason; D Andrew Souders, D Brad Ruhaak, D Louis Cross, D Bryce Cregan; M Victor Souto, M Richie Laryea, M Adam Najem; F Riley Grant, F Sean Sepe, F Nathan Quirk.
2014 UA Spring Schedule/Results
Fri., March 7 at Cleveland St., W, 3-0
Sat., Apr. 5 at VCU, W, 2-1
Sat., Apr. 12 vs. Dayton, L, 2-1
Sat., Apr. 19 vs. Louisville, FirstEnergy Stadium – Cub Cadet Field, 11 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 26 at Xavier, XU Soccer Complex, 7:30 p.m.
