Akron men beat Penn State in OT
October 14, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - A penalty kick by junior Michael Nanchoff in the 107th minute lifted the No. 1 University of Akron men's soccer team to a 2-1, double overtime victory over Penn State Wednesday night at Jeffrey Field.
The come-from-behind win marked the Zips' first over Penn State in University Park since 1988 and extended their regular-season road win streak to 22 games (19-0-3), dating back to the 2008 season. With the win, UA improved to 10-0-1 while PSU fell to 8-4-0.
Junior Darlington Nagbe, who found space after receiving a long pass, produced the game's decisive moment when he was brought down in the box by Penn State goal keeper Brendan Birmingham 15 yards from goal. Nanchoff's kick, which came in the seventh minute of the second overtime period, completed UA's comeback and was his second successful penalty kick in as many chances this fall.
For just the second time all season, UA had to play catch-up after PSU's Cory Hertzog netted the game's first goal in the sixth minute.
But the Zips wasted little time responding with the equalizer coming just one minute later. Nanchoff sent a ball over the top where it found Nagbe, who timed his run perfectly and found the net for the fourth time this season.
The second half produced no goals, although both teams had chances.
In particular, the Zips had two opportunities in the closing minutes of regulation but Birmingham was up to the task. Junior Kofi Sarkodie sent in a blast from the right corner of the box in the 89th minute but was denied by Birmingham. Then, seconds later, Nanchoff sent a shot from the left side destined for the far side netting, but Birmingham made a one-handed save while diving to his left to send the match to overtime.
The first overtime produced no chances, despite UA holding possession throughout the period. In all, the Zips outshot the Nittany Lions, 17-15, and David Meves made four saves in the match.
The Zips return to the friendly confines of Lee Jackson Field Saturday for a Mid-American Conference match against Buffalo. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Zips Notebok: The start of the game was delayed 29 minutes after some games jerseys were stolen out of the Zips' locker room ... Penn State became just the second school to score on the Zips this season, joining fellow Big Ten Conference member Ohio State, which scored twice in a 2-2 tie last month.
The come-from-behind win marked the Zips' first over Penn State in University Park since 1988 and extended their regular-season road win streak to 22 games (19-0-3), dating back to the 2008 season. With the win, UA improved to 10-0-1 while PSU fell to 8-4-0.
Junior Darlington Nagbe, who found space after receiving a long pass, produced the game's decisive moment when he was brought down in the box by Penn State goal keeper Brendan Birmingham 15 yards from goal. Nanchoff's kick, which came in the seventh minute of the second overtime period, completed UA's comeback and was his second successful penalty kick in as many chances this fall.
For just the second time all season, UA had to play catch-up after PSU's Cory Hertzog netted the game's first goal in the sixth minute.
But the Zips wasted little time responding with the equalizer coming just one minute later. Nanchoff sent a ball over the top where it found Nagbe, who timed his run perfectly and found the net for the fourth time this season.
The second half produced no goals, although both teams had chances.
In particular, the Zips had two opportunities in the closing minutes of regulation but Birmingham was up to the task. Junior Kofi Sarkodie sent in a blast from the right corner of the box in the 89th minute but was denied by Birmingham. Then, seconds later, Nanchoff sent a shot from the left side destined for the far side netting, but Birmingham made a one-handed save while diving to his left to send the match to overtime.
The first overtime produced no chances, despite UA holding possession throughout the period. In all, the Zips outshot the Nittany Lions, 17-15, and David Meves made four saves in the match.
The Zips return to the friendly confines of Lee Jackson Field Saturday for a Mid-American Conference match against Buffalo. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (ET)
Zips Notebok: The start of the game was delayed 29 minutes after some games jerseys were stolen out of the Zips' locker room ... Penn State became just the second school to score on the Zips this season, joining fellow Big Ten Conference member Ohio State, which scored twice in a 2-2 tie last month.
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