Top-Ranked Akron Zips Advance to Sunday’s National Championship
Written By: Jacob Rosen | Category: General | Comments: 8
It is frigid winter in Northeast Ohio. The Browns just beat the Steelers for the first time in six years. The Cavaliers are playing, but the games really don’t matter yet. All of this should mean that there is a National Championship Game coming up soon, right? Absolutely, and men’s soccer Divison 1 has their BCS football buddies beat by about three weeks plus.
The #1 University of Akron Zips survived yet another dramatic finish to advance to the NCAA National Championship with a thrilling victory Friday night against the fourth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. The scoreless tie went through 90 minutes of regulation plus 20 minutes of overtime, and the outcome finally came down to the do-or-die shootout. Akron held on to win by the final nod of 5-4, advancing to their first men’s soccer National Championship since 1986.
Blake Gavin recorded the final goal of the shootout, giving the Kangaroos the victory after an earlier save by goal keeper David Meves. According to the funky rules of NCAA soccer, since the game technically ended in a tie, Akron’s record now sits pretty at 23-0-1 on the season. Their record-tying 23-game winning streak was snapped despite the eventual victory, ending their chances at becoming the first team in 35 years to complete an perfect season.
The championship game will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon on ESPN2, as the Zips take on the second-ranked Virginia Cavaliers. Virginia is a five-time NCAA Champion as they won all of their crowns between 1989 and 1994. The two teams representing the home town state (the games are being played in Cary, NC) lost in the semifinals as the Cavaliers also took down the #3 Demon Deacon of Wake Forest by the final score of 2-1 in overtime.
Huge props go out to the Akron Zips coaching staff, players and athletic department for this incredible achievement. Regardless of Sunday’s results, my hope is that hot shot head coach Caleb Porter stays in town for the indefinite future, maintaining the top soccer program in the nation here in the Rubber City. Best of luck on Sunday and bring back a trophy to NE Ohio!
(The photo above is of Akron goal keeper David Meves as a UNC shot sailed over the net in the shootout. Photographer credit goes to Phil Masturzo/Akron Beacon Journal.)
Author: JacobRosen
Jacob Rosen is a weekend author for WFNY, the sports editor for the University of Dayton's Flyer News and the current media relations director of the Akron Aeros. Jacob is an Akron native who majors in applied mathematical economics at UD. You can follow him on Twitter @udjrosen or e-mail him at udjrosen(at)gmail(dot)com.Jacob Rosen has written 267 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
This is why I love WFNY…you guys include every sport beyond the ESPN Holy Trinity of sports. What’s next…….Hurling?
http://www.akronhurling.com/
that web site probably gets 100 extra hits today
Loved the article Jacob. Just read your mini profile…when will you be able to infiltrate WFNY with UD Flyer basketball articles? Watched most of the Akron game last night as well as I have a brother in law who is decently high up in the athletic department there. Attended the game and said it was awesome. Go Flyers! Joe UD ’09.
@CJG – Haha that is awesome. Dr. Cleveland is definitely right about that web site’s traffic today.
@Flyers 09 – Yeah, I am sure I will be able to get some Flyers coverage sooner or later. I was at the Old Dominion game last night and it was nerve wracking as always, but there were some positive signs. Team just needs to keep it up and stay undefeated heading into conference play. The loss to Kansas State in Puerto Rico still kind of stings…
Isn’t it still an undefeated season? They haven’t been defeated…its just not a perfect season…Go Zips!
Congrats to the Zips, not a big fan of soccer but watched the game with some friends who played soccer at Akron a few years ago. What an ending!
That’s a goofy rule, but as long as they get to advance. Perfect timing as well given no Browns on Sunday.
Let’s go Zips! I wonder if LeBron will be watching??