Akron men beat SMU

TULSA, Okla. – A successful penalty kick by Blair Gavin in the 75th minute proved to be the difference as the No. 3 University of Akron men's soccer team topped SMU, 1-0, in its season opener Friday night at the Radisson Tulsa Airport Classic.

"I thought we played really well in the first half controlling the action," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "We came out with great energy and probably should have put a couple of goals away early, which would have opened the game up more. But in the end, we are pleased to get the result against a very good SMU team."

The Zips (1-0-0), who were the nation's top defensive team in 2008, picked up where they left off last fall with the shutout. UA, which started three true freshmen in the backfield - including first-year goalkeeper David Meves, allowed just four shots for the game. In his first collegiate start, Meves recorded a pair of saves; both coming in the first half.

Also earning the starting assignment on the Zips' backline were freshmen Zarek Valentin and Chad Barson and veterans Chris Korb and Kofi Sarkodie.

"I thought the play from our four backs was exceptional," Porter said. "I was very pleased with the way we defended as a team and individually against a talented attacking team like SMU."

With was truly a game of inches in the early going as Akron, which was clearly the aggressor in the first stanza, hit the post twice in the first 41 minutes of the contest.

Sophomore Darlington Nagbe, the 2008 Mid-American Conference Newcomer of the Year and Soccer America Freshman All-American, made an instant impact with three shots shortly after the opening whistle.  The forward's first shot – coming in the fifth minute – banged off the post, his second drew a save from Mustangs goalkeeper Craig Hill, and his third sailed wide right.

Sophomore Teal Bunbury recorded UA's fourth shot of the game in the 25th minute before Gavin rang the post again shortly before the intermission.

The second half was much more even before Gavin put the Zips on top for good. It was the junior's first career penalty kick.

For the game, the Zips out-shot SMU, 7-4, and owned a slight 3-2 edge in corner kicks. UA will have an off-day Saturday before squaring off against No. 14 Tulsa Sunday night starting at 8:30 p.m. (EST).