Men's soccer to host Northwestern-Akron winner

[GiddyUp]

Oh my - if Akron beats Northwestern I certainly hope our players watch this a few times before our game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIJ9_Ousn0s

I thought I was watching a Movie preview in a theatre. This is Akron? -- I'm scared

[gk00dad]

Akron wins 3-1 over Northwestern. However, the real story is poor goalkeeping by both sides. Akron had four shots on goal and made three, while Northwestern had two shots on goal and made one. If the Mustangs stay disciplined and play their hybrid Barca/Arsenal "death by a thousand passes" style with pace, they will wear Akron down and force mistakes in the back. Calling my shot. 3-2 in overtime. Mustangs advance for rematch with UAB.

[EastStang]

Should be quite game. One thing is for sure, you have to beat the best, to be the best.

[GiddyUp]

weather looks very iffy for tomorrow

[ponyscott]

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer team will face sixth-seeded SMU on the road Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA Tournament Second Round
Akron Zips (14-3-4, 6-0 MAC) at No. 6 SMU Mustangs (13-6-1, 4-3-1 C-USA)
Date/Time: Nov. 20, 2011 • 8:00 p.m. (ET)
Venue: Westcott Field • Dallas, Texas
Radio: None • Television: None
Video Stream: SMUMustangs.com • Live Stats: NCAA.com

Sunday's Story lines
• Akron will continue its national championship title defense at sixth-seeded SMU Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
• The winner of the match will advance to meet the winner of 11th-seeded UAB and Charlotte next Sunday, Nov. 27, in the Round of 16.
• The Zips, who have advanced to the national championship game in each of the last two seasons, are attempting to become just the fifth school in NCAA history to win back-to-back titles.

Zips Reset
• UA turned in one of its most dominant performances of the year Thursday in handing Northwestern a 3-1 defeat in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
• Akron controlled the game with its possession and pressure, and disrupted the Wildcats' attack throughout the night, allowing just a penalty kick goal in the 63rd minute.
• Three different Zips found the net in the win, including Scott Caldwell (27'), Aodhan Quinn (55') and Darren Mattocks (77'). Luke Holmes also had a productive night, finishing with a pair of assists.

The Best Time of the Year
• Akron is unbeaten in its last 11 matches during the regular run of play in the NCAA Tournament, dating back to the 2009 season. In fact, its last true loss – excluding a 3-2 penalty kick defeat to Virginia in the 2009 national championship game – came at the hands of Northwestern in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Championships.
• In all, the Zips are 9-3-2 (.714) at the NCAA Tournament under Coach Porter and 8-1-2 (.818) since 2009.
• With a win Sunday, Akron will advance to the Round of 16 for the fourth-consecutive season.

Akron at the NCAA Tournament
• The Zips are making their 26th all-time appearance in the NCAA postseason. It is also the fifth consecutive season they have qualified for the 48-team playoff.
• Akron captured the school's first team national championship in any sport last December with a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Louisville in the NCAA College Cup final. It was UA's second consecutive appearance in the national championship game after falling in penalty kicks (3-2) to Virginia in 2009.
• Akron is unseeded at the NCAA Tournament for the first time under UA head coach Caleb Porter. The Zips were the No. 14 seed in 2007, No. 5 in 2008, No. 1 in 2009 and No. 3 in 2010.
• The Zips are attempting to become just the fifth school in NCAA Men's Soccer Division I history to win consecutive national championships. Indiana, with Coach Porter on staff as an assistant at the time, was the last to do it in 2003 and 2004. Virginia, San Francisco and St. Louis are the three others.
• Just two schools (Indiana and Virginia) have won back-to-back championships in the last 35 years of Division I men's soccer. The Hoosiers accomplished the feat three times (2003-'04, 1998-'99 and 1982-'83) while the Cavaliers won four straight titles from 1991-'94.

[skyscraper]

Not the best weather forecast for tonight
40% chance of rain, temps in upper 50s/lower 60s.

[gk00dad]

Not the best weather forecast for tonight
40% chance of rain, temps in upper 50s/lower 60s.

A slick fast pitch. Break out the long cleats and run Akron into the ground. Derschang, Barnes and company have got to move the ball on the deck. Pass, pass and pass some more until Akron breaks. The shooting gallery must be open. need to take at least 15-20 shots and put 10 on frame. That's how you beat a physical team. If they want to grind then don't let them have the ball.

[gk00dad]

Ponies out possessing Akron from the start. Looking good and comfortable out there so far.

[gk00dad]

Wow Akron gets some good possession. turns over or midfield and scores off of a cross. Poor defending and bad decision making in the middle of the pitch.

[gk00dad]

Ponies chasing the game. Way to early for that. Be patient and counter attack

[gk00dad]

Good run boys, way to fight back to the end. Lot's of talent on this team but I think it went to their heads a little that everyone was saying they were so much better than last year. Got to prove yourself every year. And only as good as your record.

[ponyscott]

I went but didn't see the final score..it was 3-1 when we left. What was final?

[ponynut]

Score?

[gk00dad]

3-2. A late PK and lot's of chances at the end.

[ponyscott]

3-2. A late PK and lot's of chances at the end.

Damn that long PK goal for the third was the killer after all....perfect hit at the only hole.