Michigan
17-5-3
Akron
21-1-2
Wolverines Fall One Game Short of NCAA Title Shot, Lose to No. 2 Akron
12/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Site: Santa Barbara, Calif. (Meredith Harder Stadium)
Event: NCAA College Cup Semifinals
Score: #2 Akron 2, #19 Michigan 1
Records: Michigan (17-5-3), Akron (21-1-2)
Next U-M Event: Season Complete
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The No. 19-ranked University of Michigan men's soccer team ended its historic College Cup run with a 2-1 NCAA semifinal loss to No. 2 Akron on Friday night (Dec. 10) at UC-Santa Barbara's Harder Stadium. Senior forward Justin Meram (Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower) gave U-M the lead 1:02 into the match to end the season by scoring in nine consecutive games.
Freshman Soony Saad (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn) collected four shots, while redshirt junior goalkeeper Chris Blais (Seattle, Wash./Kennedy Memorial) made six saves in the loss. Senior Chase Tennant (Rochester, Mich./Rochester) and Hamoody Saad (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn) also tallied shots in the contest.
With the score tied 1-1, Soony Saad had an opportunity to put the Wolverines ahead midway through the second frame. After receiving the ball from brother Hamoody just inside the 18-yard box, Soony fired a hard shot that hit the post and ricocheted back into the box, but nobody could get a foot on it for the score.
Akron tallied the game-winner in the 74th minute of action on a shot taken from a free kick. Kofi Sarkodie got a head on the serve and put the ball just behind the outstretched arms of Blais.
The Wolverines got on the board first with a goal from Meram in just the second minute of action. U-M capitalized on a miscue in the midfield by the Zips. Soony Saad collected the ball and played it to the waiting feet of Meram, who raced up the middle and fired a laser into the left side of the cage to extend his school-record goal streak to nine games, giving the Wolverines the early 1-0 lead.
U-M had a nice opportunity from Hamoody Saad, who picked up the ball a little outside the top of the box and put some air under his shot, but the ball went just over the bar.
Akron then tallied the equalizer in the 33rd minute of action on a goal from Perry Kitchen from distance.
U-M concludes the best season in program history with a 17-5-3 record and its first-ever Big Ten Tournament title and appearance in the national semifinals.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | F |
| Michigan | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Akron | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Scoring, Time (Assist)
1st -- U-M, Justin Meram 1:02 (unassisted)
2nd -- UA, Perry Kitchen, 32:40 (unassisted)
2nd -- UA, Kofi Sarkodie, 73:09 (Michael Nanchoff)
Shots: U-M 9, UA 22
Shots on Goal: U-M 1, UA 8
Saves: U-M 6 (Chris Blais), Akron 0 (David Meves)
Corner Kicks: U-M 2, UA 6
Fouls: U-M 15, UA 13
Cards: UA, Kofi Sarkodie, 40:34 (Yellow); U-M, Fabio Pereira, 73:30 (Yellow).
QUOTES
Michigan Head Coach Steve Burns
Opening comments ... "It was a great start for us to the game and I thought it was a great game with good rhythm. Akron sure did a great job and we wish them well as they move forward."
On the free kick, which led to game-winning goal ... "Those are dangerous free kicks. When that ball came in, zoneally it looked like we were too far forward. Great header, great finish. Our keeper couldn't do anything about that."
On Michigan goalkeeper Chris Blais ... "Chris is a real strong goalkeeper and has emerged as a really strong leader for us. He's a strong shot stopper, dominates his box and will continue to improve. He has all the characteristics to be a really strong goalie."
On the shot by Soony Said that hit the post ... "As Soony said, that's the game of soccer. The ball came off his foot and hit the inside of the post. One less layer of paint and that thing goes."
On his team's Final Four appearance and what it means for the program ... "I think it means lots for the University of Michigan as well as Michigan soccer. The investment in our sport has started to pay dividends. The future looks really bright for Michigan soccer."
U-M Senior Forward Justin Meram
On Akron ... "Akron is a great team; they are well organized. I think everybody played their hearts out today. That first goal was a great shot; there was nothing we could do. I do not think Akron dominated us; I think they just played their hearts out."
On the future of Michigan Soccer ... "I think people better watch out, Michigan is on the map now. We set the tone this year. Now people will start to have respect for us and not take us so lightly. I think the program is just going to get better from here, hopefully next year Soony can lead this team to a national title."
On his early goal ... "I just saw a clear path, took a touch, and when the defender stepped up on me I just took the shot. From there, I thought, 'man, we can do this.'"
U-M Freshman Forward Soony Saad
On the game ... "We knew going into the game against Akron that we would not have a whole lot of possessions; they are a team that likes to move the ball around. I think we tried to make the most of our opportunities we had. I felt we had some good touches going forward and that we created some good chances."
On his shot off the post in the second half ... "The defenders were coming back on the play, there were not many options for me. I decided to try and sneak it in and bend it far post; sometimes it works, sometimes it does not."
On the future of Michigan Soccer ... "If you take a look at how Michigan soccer started 11 years ago the progress is mind-boggling to say the least. To look and see how far we have come, Coach Burns has definitely helped this program move forward. I feel this is just the beginning; this is just the new era of Michigan Soccer."
2010 NCAA Men's College Cup All-Tournament Team
Zarek Valentin, Sophomore Defender, Akron
Darlington Nagbe, Junior Midfielder, Akron
Kofi Sarkodie, Junior Defender, Akron
Michael Nanchoff, Junior Midfielder, Akron
Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Senior Midfielder, Akron
Scott Caldwell, Sophomore Midfielder, Akron
Charlie Campbell, Senior Midfielder/Defender, Louisville
Colin Rolfe, Junior Forward, Louisville
Austin Berry, Junior Defender, Louisville
Andre Boudreaux, Junior Goalkeeper, Louisville
Justin Meram, Senior Forward, Michigan
Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Scott Caldwell, Akron
Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Kofi Sarkodie, Akron
Team Stats
Meram, Justin
Dribbled down center of field, shot from
1:02
KITCHEN, Perry
Goal from 30 yards on right
32:40
SARKODIE, Kofi
Assisted By: NANCHOFF, Michael
Shot off a free kick from right side
73:09
