AKRON, OH - November 19, 2012 - Eric Stevenson and Tommy Schmitt each scored a goal to lead The University of Akron to a 2-1 win over Michigan. The victory propelled Akron into the third round of the NCAA College Cup Tournament.
Akron and Michigan traded chances through much of the first half with Scott Caldwell and Stevenson pacing the Zips’ attack. Stevenson struck first with a blast in the 43rd minute, taking a shot from the top of the box. It was his seventh strike of the season.
Akron carried that same 1-0 lead into halftime. The second half began with a flurry of activity from the home side.
“We did some of the best stuff in that first part of the second half that I have ever seen out of an Akron team that I’ve had,” Akron Head Coach Caleb Porter stated.
Fourteen minutes into the second half, Tommy Schmitt put the Zips up 2-0 thanks to a clever chip from 15 yards out.
But the Wolverines wouldn’t go away easily despite going down to ten men in the 62nd minute. The red card to UM’s Colin McAtee was followed by a score from teammate James Murphy mere seconds later.
Michigan and Akron fought back-and-forth for the remainder of the match with no change in the score. The entire match would be defined by superb goalkeeping and physical play from both sides.
Michigan’s Adam Grinwis finished the match with nine saves. His performance drew rave reviews from Porter, who called it, “one of the best performances I have ever seen out of a goalkeeper in my 13 years in college.”
Akron’s David Meves registered four saves of his own, including a flying stop with just minutes remaining. The play by Meves sealed the win for Akron in what could be characterized as a tense match.
Four yellow cards were handed out to go along with 23 fouls. Akron finished tops in shots (25 to 12) and corner kicks (5 to 4).
Akron now faces #12 seeded Creighton at home on November 25 (4:30 p.m. kickoff).
