Akron Suffers Setback at Northern Illinois

Sunday, March 14

DeKalb, Ill.

1:00 PM

University of Akron

2-1-1, 1-1-0MAC

Northern Illinois

2-3-1, 1-1-0MAC

Akron

Northern Illinois

March 14 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Follow Zips Men's Soccer on Twitter (@ZipsMSOC) and Facebook

BOXSCORE (PDF)

DEKALB, Ill. - A trio of second-half goals proved too much for the fifth-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to overcome as Northern Illinois (2-3-1, 1-1-0 MAC) dealt the Zips (2-1-1, 1-1-0 MAC) a 3-0 setback on Sunday, March 14, at the NIU Soccer Complex.

"We were outplayed all over the field today," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "The result was deserved by Northern Illinois. Fortunately for us, everyone in the conference is 1-1 and we have to learn from this and correct it by Wednesday."

Freshman Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) led the Zips with a team- and game-high three shots, as Akron was outshot on the afternoon, 9-6, including 4-2 on goal. Adding one shot apiece for the Zips was senior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal), junior Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and sophomore Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio). Nick Markanich recorded a team-high three shots for the Huskies and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute (61:07).

Martin Sanchez garnered a pair of saves in net for the Huskies, while senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) recorded one stop for Akron.

The two teams battled through a scoreless opening half as Northern Illinois recorded a 3-2 edge in shots in the opening stanza.

Markanich scored what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 61:07 mark off an assist from Roque Viegas, Jr., to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.

Northern Illinois extended its advantage to 2-0 in the 67th minute (66:42) when Diego Maynez found the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Camilo Estrada.

Jackson notched the Zips initial strike on net in the contest at the 76:05 mark, one that was saved by Sanchez, before Shokalook added a shot on goal in the 82nd minute (81:05).

Enrique Banuelos capped the scoring for Northern Illinois scoring off a free kick at the 84:56 mark.

Akron is scheduled to battle No. 25 SIU Edwardsville in a 2 p.m. ET tilt on Wednesday, March 17.