Michigan soccer loses 2-1 to Akron in NCAA College Cup semifinal
Akron's Kofi Sarkodie, left, celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal on Michigan's Chris Blais, right, in the Zips' 2-1 NCAA College Cup victory Friday night in Santa Barbara, Calif.
AP Photo
Updated 2:38 a.m.
Akron's Kofi Sarkodie, who hadn't scored a goal since his hat trick during the Zips' 7-1 win over Michigan on Oct. 19, sunk the Wolverines again on Friday.
Sarkodie headed in the game-winner in the 73rd minute of a 2-1 College Cup semifinal victory in front of a crowd of 7,560 at UC-Santa Barbara's Harder Stadium.
Following a penalty on Michigan's Latif Alashe, Akron's Michael Nanchoff sent a free kick from the right side to the back post, where Sarkodie punched it past Wolverine goalkeeper Chris Blais.
It was the eighth goal of the year for Sarkodie, who did make the final penalty kick in Akron's shootout victory over California in a quarterfinal.
"Michael found me in a good spot, and I put it away," Sarkodie said. "Ever since we lost in the final last year, the goal was to get back here."
Michigan (17-5-3) hadn't lost since that game at Akron, winning nine straight on the way to the first College Cup appearance in program history. Friday's semifinal was a far cry from the regular season rout on the scoreboard, but Akron (21-1-2) controlled play and had significantly more scoring opportunities.
Justin Meram gave Michigan a 1-0 lead just 62 seconds into the game, dribbling to the top of the circle and unleashing a shot that Akron goalkeeper David Meves could only wave at.
It was Meram's 17th goal of the season, and it was the only shot-on-goal of the night for the Wolverines, who were outshot 22-9 overall. Blais stopped six Akron shots.
Akron, which had trailed in just five games this season for a combined total of 39 minutes, played from behind for more than 31 minutes before Perry Kitchen scored the equalizer before halftime.
Michigan's best chance in the second half came in the 64th minute when freshman Soony Saad collected the ball amidst a cluster of Akron defenders and banged one off the far post.
The third-seeded Zips will face top-seeded Louisville on Sunday for the NCAA Division championship. Louisville (20-0-3), trying to become the first unbeaten champion since Santa Clara in 1989, scored in the final minute to oust North Carolina 2-1 in the first semifinal.
Akron was unbeaten in 2009 when it played Virginia to a 0-0 draw in the College Cup final, but the Cavaliers took the title by winning on penalty kicks in Cary, N.C.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
Basic Bob
Sun, Dec 12, 2010 : 11:33 a.m.
Michigan played a tough game against the best team in the country. Much better than the 7-1 loss during the regular season. GO ZIPS in the College Cup final!
CincoDeMayo
Sun, Dec 12, 2010 : 1:13 a.m.
Props to the Michigan team for getting this far!
garrisondyer
Sat, Dec 11, 2010 : noon
True enough, Macabre. It was late, and I meant to write "foul". I agree with your follow-up comment, and stand by mine. Pretty sketchy call, but then they didn't mark either. Sucks.
chimarathon
Sat, Dec 11, 2010 : 6:56 a.m.
Sarkodie should have been marked but at the same time, Balas should have come off his line.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Dec 11, 2010 : 4:15 a.m.
That wasn't a penalty, that was a free kick awarded to the Zips. Maybe borderline, but it should have been harmless. No one marked Sarkodie. They had to play a perfect game to beat Akron, which was more talented and experienced. They came close, but made some mistakes, none more costly than leaving Sarkodie free.
garrisondyer
Sat, Dec 11, 2010 : 1:45 a.m.
That penalty call was pretty sketchy.... But it was a good game! Lots of exciting plays.