Lolla to face old team in Akron

In preparation for the 2010 NCAA Men’s College Cup final between Akron and Louisville members from both squads met with the media yet again and shared their thoughts about what will be required to win a first national title in soccer program history.

AKRON(m) ZIPS

The boys from Ohio come into the 2010 College Cup final for the second year in a row, something that hasn’t been seen since Indiana accomplished the feat in 2003 and 2004.

Akron Head Coach Caleb Porter opened the press conference solidifying the idea that tomorrow, as important as it is, is no different from any other game this season. Consistency is crucial for Akron, according to Porter.

He simply put tomorrow’s final in perspective

“This is the final step, but this step is no different from steps we’ve taken all year,” he said.

Akron is the most well composed team in the country. They play with purpose and maturity that is not matched.

Michael Nanchoff and Darren Mattocks, who assisted in the game-winner against Michigan, will have to combine well and be even more in sync with each other to be able to penetrate a Louisville defense that has only allowed 18 goals all year.

It’s on the other half that Akron has to be a little more careful. Not to say that the likes of Zarek Valentin and Kofi Sarkodie are lazy and unorganized.

But allowing an opponent to score one minute into the game isn’t the best tactic against a powerful and strong Louisville offense. Also, the tail end of the match is just as important. Two consecutive times, the Cardinals have been able to find a last-minute game-winner through Aaron Horton, meaning the Zips cannot nap in the back as the final clock winds down to zero.

Porter spoke about Horton’s threat.




An advantage that Akron may have over Louisville is the fan base. Both Valentin and Perry Kitchen said that winning the institution’s first national championship would be special because of the support the fans have given the team over time.

The amount of fans that came to support the Zips is remarkable taking into account the distance. More impressive was the student’s outreach to the local supporters and joining forces with UCSB fans, to create a supporter section packed to the brim, and really loud.




LOUISVILLE(m) CARDINALS

With basketball reigning supreme, Louisville soccer has the opportunity to make a massive impression in Cardinal athletics by winning its first national championship for the program, and to do so undefeated.

“It’s an opportunity to start a dynasty,” said Charlie Campbell.




To be successful against a disciplined Akron squad, Louisville has to continue to bring the same element that made is successful against North carolina(m) on Friday, pressure from its forwards.

Colin Rolfe does a fantastic job bringing pressure to the opponent’s back line and often wins balls over in the offensive third. But it will be a challenge against an Akron defense who for one, has been in the finals before and knows the pressure that comes with it. And second, they are simply solid bunch in defense.

Louisville Head Coach Ken Lolla expresses his thoughts on how to approach that aspect of the game.




There will be a different degree of familiarity between these two finalists come Sunday. Ken Lolla was once the head coach for Akron before taken the job at Louisville.

“There’s been a lot of hugs this weekend. One of the best parts of being here is reuniting the associations we’ve had,” Lolla said. “My wife and I enjoyed our time at Akron very much, and a lot of that was because of the people and the relationships. There’s been a lot of hugging going on this weekend.”