Akron men defeat Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Sophomore Darlington Nagbe recorded the first hat trick of his career to fuel the No. 1 University of Akron men's soccer team to a 5-1 win at Michigan Tuesday at U-M Soccer Complex.

In addition to the three goals, Nagbe also assisted another as the Zips (14-0-0) improved on their best start in program history. It is the first time UA has ever defeated the Wolverines (9-4-1) on the road in four tries. For the game, Akron out-shot Michigan, 22-8, while doubling up U-M, 8-4, in shots on goal.

Nagbe assisted the first goal of the game then scored twice in less than a minute as Akron took a 3-0 lead into halftime. The midfielder then completed Akron's first hat trick of the year with a goal in the 63rd minute to close out the scoring.

"We knew this would be more of an open soccer game and I thought our attacking group was electric today," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "We still can learn some lessons from this game even with such a lopsided result. The nice thing is this team continues to elevate their performance in relation to their potential and because of that they are growing while winning."

Sophomore Teal Bunbury was the benefactor of a pair of passes from Nagbe and Kofi Sarkodie in the 31st minute. Bunbury powered the ball into the left corner of the net for his team-leading 11th goal of the year and his fifth in the last six contests.

Then it was Nagbe's turn. Just four minutes Bunbury's goal, Nagbe knifed his way through the U-M defense, which had allowed more than one goal just once this season, to beat the keeper for an unassisted score with 34:25 on the clock. Then, at the 35:05 mark, Nagbe took a cross from the wing from freshman Ben Speas and lofted the ball into the top-left corner of the net.

Michigan foiled the Zips' shutout bid following halftime when Justin Meram found the net in the 48th minute. But Akron wasted little time getting it back thanks to Michael Nanchoff's fifth goal of the season in the 52nd minute. Ben Zemanski and Chris Korb each played a part in assisting Nanchoff, who has now scored a goal in three of his last four matches.

"We are starting to turn it up a notch as we near the end of the regular season and that is important with some of the more challenging games ahead," Porter said. "We have to go back on the road Friday and play Buffalo which won't be easy. But this team is relishing every opportunity to raise their level each 90 minute game."

The Zips and Bulls will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. in the final road game of the regular season for UA.