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UA set to play Buffalo after double-OT victory
By Michael Beaven Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Saturday, Nov 17, 2007
It took a while, but the University of Akron men's soccer team finally earned redemption against rival Northern Illinois.
The host Zips defeated the Huskies 2-1 Friday night at Lee Jackson Field in double overtime to win a Mid-American Conference semifinal. The two teams tied earlier this season, and UA lost to NIU in the regular season and MAC championship game last season.
UA (14-3-2) will play Buffalo in the MAC championship game at 2 p.m. Sunday at Lee Jackson Field. Buffalo defeated Hartwick 1-0 in the other semifinal.
Freshman Michael Nanchoff scored the Zips' first goal in the 44th minute, and freshman Steve Zakuani scored the game-winning goal in the 106th minute.
''We have a sign outside of our locker-room door that says, 'Have the heart of a champion, find a way to win,''' said Zips coach Caleb Porter, who notched his first win against the Huskies (7-9-4).
''Championship teams find
a way to win games like these, and we did that.''
Zakuani scored when he right-footed the ball from the left wing into the right corner of the net. It set off a massive celebration with Zips players, coaches and fans huddling near midfield.
''I was starting to get so tired,'' Zakuani said. ''The ball was played to me, and I wanted to get separation, and I took it to my strong side, my right side. I knew it was going in when it left my foot.''
Nanchoff's goal came off a restart free kick to tie the score 1-1. He left-footed the ball from about 20 yards away into the bottom left corner of the net.
''We knew tying it up coming into the half was the most important thing for us,'' Nanchoff said. ''We didn't want to take it all the way into overtime, but they are a tough team.''
The score came about six minutes after Huskies junior Drew Jeskey scored a goal from about five yards away.
''We made one mental mistake and it cost us,'' senior defender Corey Sipos said. ''But we knew we would get it back and we did almost immediately.''
The Zips had 11 shots on goal and held the Huskies to one.
Zips' all-stars
Sipos, Porter and Zakuani earned the major awards earlier in the day when the league announced its All-MAC teams.
Sipos earned the MAC Player of the Year award, Porter was named Coach of the Year and Zakuani was named Newcomer of the Year.
The Zips had nine players recognized, including eight on the first team.
UA freshman Anthony Ampaipitakwong, junior Matt Tutich and senior Steve Kalan were first-team midfielders. Zakuani made it as a forward. On defense were Sipos, senior Elliot Bradbrook and junior Ossie Michalsen. Junior Evan Bush was the goalkeeper.
Senior Pablo Moreira was a second-team forward.
It took a while, but the University of Akron men's soccer team finally earned redemption against rival Northern Illinois.
Get the full article here.
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