Collective, Shutout Effort Lifts Zips to First BIG EAST Final

Thursday, November 12

Boyds, Md.

5:00 PM

University of Akron

12-1-4, 4-1-3

No. 8 Creighton

12-2-5, 4-1-3

Team	1	2	Final F
Creighton	0	0	0
Akron	3	1	4

Game Notes

Akron celebrates after one of their four goals, as they blanked Creighton en route to their first BIG EAST final.

November 12 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Noah Tylutki, Associate Director of Athletics Communications

BOYDS, Md. — Akron head men's soccer coach Jared Embick said it was going to take a collective effort to keep Creighton, the nation's No. 2 scoring offense, at bay in the BIG EAST semifinal.

The Zips delivered on that statement.

After tying the Blujays 1-1 in the regular season, Akron made a statement as they blanked Creighton, 4-0, in the BIG EAST semifinal and advanced to their first BIG EAST tournament final in their four seasons as a member of the conference. The Zips had nine different point scorers as they held the Bluejays scoreless for the first time all year and to a season-low five shots.

"We needed a complete effort, with guys being focused and at the right intensity level," Embick said. "We really emphasized trying to really improve the start of the game and then take it from there. As a coach, you can't dream up a better start than what we had."

That start was to the tune of three goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. Jack Sullivan got it going off a pass from Thomas O'Rourke in the sixth minute, while Jack Roman found the back of the net on passes from Tyler Morck and Sullivan just a minute and a half later.

Another 1:30 went by before it was Remi Agunbiade's turn as Matt Dreas and Roman assisted on the play.

"[The fast start] starts with the pressure and the defensive intensity," Embick said. "We were able to close them down and and keep the game in our attacking half, and we were able to turn some of those loose balls into quick counters."

Akron limited Creighton to just three shots in the period, while the Zips registered nine.

Londen Sears added Akron's final goal for good measure with five minutes left, as he slid the ball into the goal off passes from Ignacio Alem and Nolan McGuire.

All four goals were scored by different players, and three of them had two assists on the play. Twenty Zips have registered at last one point on the season as well.

"In the past, we've had guys that have carried the attack," Embick said. "I think this group has bought into the the balance and the collective, and a lot of that comes from sharing the ball. The last couple of weeks, we've been passing and combining a lot better. I think they just feel really confident with their connections out there."

The Zips' victory marks their first shutout in a conference tournament match since 2018 when they beat Western Michigan, 3-0, in the MAC final. The BIG EAST final appearance also comes after back-to-back one-goal losses in the conference semifinal the years prior.

"The guys are driven to win the championship this weekend," Embick said. "We have a lot of guys from that [NCAA Tournament] run last year, so we had to learn the hard lesson in the Elite Eight [against Saint Louis] when you take your foot off the gas, things can change quickly. You could see that level of focus and commitment tonight to stay on it."

Up Next
Akron will face the No. 1 seed Georgetown Hoyas n the BIG EAST final on Sunday, November 15 at 2 p.m. from the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds. Georgetown defeated No. 4 seed Seton Hall, 2-0, in the semifinal match following the Zips' performance.