Football

Akron moved the ball, but a couple costly mistakes and an inability to stop Tyler Sheehan's passing attack led to a 36-20 Bowling Green win.

With tonight's loss, Akron's record is 2-9. I'll have more on the game tomorrow.

Men's basketball

N.C. State shot 65 percent in the Wolfpac's 66-45 win over Akron, which shot only 31 percent from the field.

Humpty Hitchens led Akron with 10 points. Zeke Marshall was 1-for-6 from the field, scoring two and grabbing four rebounds.

The Zips play again Saturday at 1:15 p.m. as the Glenn Wilkes Classic from Daytona Beach, Fla., continues.

Football

At the beginning of this season, a lot of Zips fans believed that Akron would be in the position that Bowling Green presently occupies: pretty close to .500 with two games left, having a good chance to sneak to the top of the division and/or play in a bowl.

Like Akron, the Falcons started the year 1-4. They turned the season around by winning five of their next six. Coach Dave Clawson said an interesting quote, which almost sounds as if it was directed at Akron: "When you start out a season 1-4, if you don't have good senior leadership that can quickly become 1-5, 1-6, 1-7."

The Zips sit at 2-8. Is it senior leadership? Akron certainly had plenty of seniors on offense, where the bulk of this season's problems arose. Would things have been different if Chris Jacquemain wasn't kicked off the team? I really don't have the answer.

Regardless, the Zips face an explosive offense this evening. Bowling Green averages about 35 more passing yards than anyone else in the MAC.

Freddie Barnes and Tyler Sheehan should both be candidates for MAC Player of the Year. Barnes is leading the nation in receptions — and it's not even close. Sheehan is passing for about 50 yards more than anyone else in the conference.

The way to beat Bowling Green is on the ground. The Falcons surrender an average of 130 yards more on the ground running than they accumulate. Their pass defense, however, is pretty good.

News and notes…

Tom Gaffney's preview talks about how Barnes and Sheehan developed their connection.

The Falcons are 10.5-point favorites.

Here is what I wrote about Bowling Green on July 29, when 67 percent of readers thought Akron would win.

Prediction…

This is the easiest prediction all year. Bowling Green is an awful matchup for the Zips. The running game is not what it needs to be to take advantage of the Falcons' only weakness. Can Miguel Graham keep up with Barnes? Maybe for a quarter, but this game will turn south quickly.

Akron 13, Bowling Green 47

Football

Below are my answers from this week's MAC blogger roundtable. I will preview the game against Bowling Green on Friday…

1) Do you like the MAC's current bowl setup, where the bowls get to pick, rather than a 1 goes to A, 2 to B, etc? How would you change that, if you could?

At this level, it makes sense for the bowls to pick, because the bowls will mostly consider the fans. If this was the Big Ten, we wouldn't want the bowls to pick on the whim of which team could draw the best attendance. But let's be honest, MAC bowl games are about the players and fans, not national rankings. If the MAC ever gets a Boise State or TCU, the situation will work itself out.

2) Recognizing that probably no one will be fired this year, who do you think will be the NEXT coach in the MAC to get a pink slip?

I would argue that question is based on a faulty premise. Even supporters of J.D. Brookhart would say they'd be surprised if Akron's coach was permitted to stay on during the final year of his contract. I don't like to speculate on coaches being fired. Brookhart has a family. He has devoted a lot to this school. It just hasn't worked out. You can't have four-straight years of losing records, especially with the MAC's best facilities. As far as the rest of the MAC goes, no other coach is within two years of firing. Doug Martin of Kent State consistently keeps his extremities near the bandsaw. I'm not sold on him, but the Flashes are doing well this year.

3) What do you think can be done, if anything, to get the MAC more bowl tie-ins?

I think the current bowl set up is fine. For the most part, it allows each deserving MAC team to participate in the postseason. If you want to get more tie-ins, each university can pitch to their biggest corporate donor a plan to have a bowl named after them, with the requirement that the MAC gets a tie-in.

4) Who do you like in the MAC's only pick-'em game of this week, NIU at Ohio, and why?

I like Northern Illinois. Ohio did not impress me when I saw the Bobcats come to Akron. I'll take the Huskies by a field goal.

Here are some additional details on the University of Akron men’s soccer team after the Zips earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament:

Quotes:

University of Akron coach Caleb Porter

Said to the Zips players at the Barley House: “Congratulations on getting the No. 1 seed. You're 20-0, but now you're 0-0 and the real season begins.”

On earning the No. 1 overall seed: “We're very excited. This is what we wanted and what we've worked hard for all year long. Our vision when we started this journey three months ago was to win the national championship. In order to do that, you have to put yourself in the best position possible going into the NCAA Tournament.”

On his players: “Our players have dug deep all year and they have learned lessons, which are important. They're battle tested and they got results. Now the fun starts. This is what we have prepared for and what we have been waiting for. It's a new season.”

Zips senior co-captain Ben Zemanski

On the bracket and the possibility of playing South Florida and Northwestern: “We definitely like our bracket. We like being No. 1. We expected it. I think were not looking for redemption per say, we're looking for one thing and that is to win a national championship. If they happen to be in our way, we'll be happy to take them down.”

Zips junior co-captain Blair Gavin

On receiving the No. 1 overall seed: “I was happy to get the No. 1 seed after all the hard work and effort we have put in everyday to win each and every game. I thought we are a deserving team. We have to win five games to win the national championship. Being No. 1 before the tournament is nice, but being No. 1 in the end is what we are looking for.”

Notes:

- UA (20-0-0) earned a bye past the first round and will host the winner of Stetson (14-3-2) at South Florida (13-3-3) in the second round on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field.

- The Zips grabbing the top seed was not shocking because they are ranked No. 1 in the country in all five national polls and the RPI. Virginia (14-3-3), Wake Forest (14-3-3) and Ohio State (12-4-4) received the second through fourth seeds.

- North Carolina (13-2-3), UCLA (10-3-4), Penn State (12-7-2) and Tulsa (13-4-2) earned the fifth through eighth seeds.

- UA defeated six of the teams in the tournament — OSU, Tulsa, Penn State, Michigan State, Indiana and St. Louis — in the regular season before winning Mid-American Conference regular season and tournament titles.

- South Florida and Northwestern (10-4-4) are both on UA's side of the bracket. South Florida ended the Zips season in 2007 and Northwestern did so in 2008.

- This is the highest seed UA has received and the fifth time the Zips have been seeded. The Zips were seeded No. 15 in 2003, No. 9 in 2005, No. 14 in 2007 and No. 5 in 2008.

- UA could possibly host three games (Nov. 22 and 29 and Dec. 5) through the quarterfinal round. If they win those games, they would advance to the College Cup (Final Four) at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The national semifinals are Dec. 11 and the national final is Dec. 13.

- The Zips have qualified for the NCAA Tournament 24 times since the program started in 1955. UA lost to Duke 1-0 in the 1986 championship game, made the Elite Eight in 2005 and reached the Sweet 16 in 2008.

- The 20 wins are a school record and represent the fourth-longest winning streak in a single season. UA is also trying to become the first team in 35 years to win a national championship with a perfect record. Howard went 19-0-0 and won the title in 1974 to become the sixth team to accomplish the feat.

Check out my UA men's soccer stories in the Akron Beacon Journal and on ohio.com from Friday through today. Also, some past stories can still be found on the website.

Here are some additional details on the University of Akron men’s soccer team following Sunday’s 2-1 win over Hartwick in the MAC Tournament championship game:

Quotes:

University of Akron coach Caleb Porter

On sophomore forwards Teal Bunbury and Darlington Nagbe: “It was a great combo. Those two guys all game were a handful, and they have been all year. When they get going, they're tough to stop. Not only are they fast and skilled, they work off each other very well.”

On Hartwick’s style of play: "Hartwick is a very physical team and they create a lot of problems for our team because they are direct and they have got big, strong guys. I am proud of our guys. That is not the type of game they like to play. We have smaller, quicker and more skillful guys. For them to deal with Hartwick's style of play is a credit to how much heart they have. A lot of the Hartwick guys are 3 to 4 inches taller and they are stronger.”

Teal Bunbury

On his goal that sophomore Michael Nanchoff assisted on: “Our coaches always emphasize making our runs and just crashing the goal. 'That's what I did. I had the defender on my back and I was lucky enough to get up and get a touch on it.”

Darlington Nagbe

On his goal that junior Anthony Ampaipitakwong assisted on: “I saw Ampai and he one-touched it. I went near post. The keeper almost caught it, but I was lucky.”

Notes:

-This is the 24th time UA has qualified for the NCAA Tournament since the program started in 1955. Its first appearance in the tournament was in 1961.

- UA has won seven MAC Tournament titles — three in a row — and 12 MAC regular season titles — five in a row — since joining in 1993.

- The 20 wins are a school record and represent the fourth-longest winning streak in a single season in NCAA history.

- Bunbury, Nagbe, Nanchoff and freshman defender Chad Barson were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.

Men's soccer

Akron will only play games in one or two cities for the remainder of the season. Thanks to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Zips will host all games until the Final Four, where the venue shifts to Cary, N.C.

As Caleb Porter put it, Akron put itself in the best possible position heading into the 48-team tournament, which gives Akron a first-round bye and potentially three home games before heading to 2009 College Cup.

The first opponent will either be Stetson or South Florida on Sunday at 4 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field. South Florida knocked Akron out of the 2007 NCAA Tournament, but the Zips beat the Bulls 3-1 in an exhibition game this season.

Football

Here is what J.D. Brookhart had to say in his weekly press conference.

Men's soccer

Darlington Nagbe scored a goal with 14 minutes to play that gave Akron a lead in the MAC Championship over Hartwick. Assists went to Teal Bunbury and Anthony Ampaipitakwong. Nagbe also scored the game winner against Northern Illinois in the MAC semifinal. Bunbury scored the first goal of the game.

There have been some scuffles. Hartwick's Michael Cunningham got his second red card for throwing down an Akron player. Within 30 seconds, refs gave another red card to Hartwick. It is now 11 men vs. 9 men in Akron's favor. Four minutes left.

The Zips won the MAC Championship with a 20-0 regular season record. The NCAA Tournament starts next weekend. The NCAA could not rob Akron of a No. 1 seed without admitting that the whole thing is fixed. If the Zips get a top seed, then they won't play another game away from Lee Jackson Field until the Final Four.

The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. on ESPNU. We might have to join Kent State football coach Doug Martin in burning the NCAA if the Zips don't get a No. 1 seed. Just kidding.

Final score — Akron 2, Hartwick 1

Men's basketball

Keep refreshing your page for minute-by-minute updates…

This should be a busy afternoon on campus. The men's soccer team will play Hartwick for the MAC Championship at 4 p.m. at Lee Jackson Field.

I wonder how old the childish "Peay" jokes have gotten for Governors' fans. I can only imagine how creative Ohio Valley Conference fans can get with insults. At Akron, we clutch to the mildly creative "Can't State" moniker. Austin Peay opponents have a bevy of ammunition. And the worst thing is, the most common chant in sports is unavailable to Peay fans ("Let's go Peay!").

I overheard that Tim Carroll will start today. Zeke Marshall comes off the bench. I think it's fair to make Marshall earn his spot among a few regular season games before anointing him a starter. Like in the exhibition game, I will document Marshall's notable plays in the ZEKE WATCH.

This is technically the first game of the Glenn Wilkes Classic, which will continue Nov. 20-22 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The Governors are 0-1, having lost Friday at No. 11 Tennessee 83-54 on Friday. Austin Peay got beaten in just about every aspect of the game. The team's 6-foot-6 swingman Anthony Campbell scored 17 to lead both teams.

The team will be presented its 2009 MAC Championship rings today. I got a picture of Joe Dunn's. It's posted below. My cell phone picture doesn't do this justice. The ring is absolutely stunning. If society permitted women to propose to men, that would be the ring to do it with.

Dunn gave me a catch phrase for when Marshall enters the game: "Zeke and Destroy." I fully expect that to be on an AK-Rowdies sign by the next home game on Nov. 27.

I had awesome Cavs tickets last night. Sixth row behind the Jazz bench. After letting Carlos Boozer hear it and cheering for the good guys, I must be careful not to break the No. 1 rule on press row: No cheering.

At that game, I was surprised to see a rookie get the ball in crunch time for the Jazz. That was Eric Maynor, who played twice against Akron. He was good then. He's almost as good in the pros.

Akron starters: Brett McClanahan, Darryl Roberts, Nik Cvetinovic, Carroll and Chris McKnight.

The big question on everyone's mind: Is today the day Keith Dambrot takes off Marshall's redshirt. Just kidding. But seriously, the PD's Elton Alexander confirms that Marshall looked very bad in the first few weeks of practice. Much to the coaches' delight, Marshall found a comfort level and began to improve.

You might be hearing Alexander shout "Give me them quarters." This is because he won a 25-cent bet about when Marshall would enter the game. He came in at 17:25, which was close to Alexander's guess of 17:34. I said 15:00. Tom Gaffney said 16:30.

Austin Peay has gotten in the paint for four straight layups. That is the reason we saw Marshall so soon. Akron is trying to work the ball into him, but the Governors are double-teaming. Brett McKnight and Humpty Hitchens made back-to-back 3-pointers based on Austin Peay's interior pressure.

The AK-Rowdies are well-represented. Having them here is a big difference in atmosphere. Not many showed up for the exhibition game.

Marshall has been on the floor for three minutes without much of an impact. … As I wrote that, Marshall score his first collegiate basket on a rebounded jumpshot. Big ovation from the fans.

Akron needs to settle down. Austin Peay is making the Zips look uncomfortable. The nervous jitters are tangible.

The Zips' defense is nothing more than a turnstile. The guards are getting beat off the dribble. The big men aren't in position to contest the shot. The Governors are carving a layup line right through Dambrot's proud defense.

I love how intense Cvetinovic is. After a Chris McKnight layup, he charged off the bench flexing his muscles and shouting in celebration. It's two points in the first half of the first game of the season, but the Serbian reacts like the Ultimate Warrior trying to rev up the crowd at WrestleMania.

Marshall swatted his first shot. It was a volleyball spike. He followed it up with a turn-around, fade-away six-footer. This kid is very skilled.

Akron has begun to pull away as the players worked up a sweat and some of the nerves wore off.

Hitchens found a cutting McClahanan, who lobbed an alley-oop attempt for Marshall, but the pass was a little off, so Marshall did not finish. It was a nifty play, but it requires good timing.

Hitchens ended the half with a 3. Score: Akron 44, Austin Peay 32.

I haven't really watched any of the last few minutes. I have been consumed with reading the blog of Mark Titus, a bench player at Ohio State, whose only goal in playing basketball is to register a "trillion." You might not understand a "trillion" unless you read box scores. It denotes that a player logs one minute, but compiles no other statistics. Nice stuff, Mark.

Akron just gave up five points in a three-second span. An Austin Peay player drove down Main Street for an easy layup. A Governor stole Akron's inbound pass and was fouled. He completed a three-point play.

Austin Peay only brought 10 players. It would be nice if some members of press row could be spread across their seats. We're packed in here like the old Rubber Bowl press box.

Marshall just attempted a 3-pointer. He air-balled it. I could feel the anger from Dambrot across the floor.

While I'm carrying on criticizing Marshall, I'll point out that he could be a much better rebounder if he moved his feet while the ball was in the air. Athleticism and size is a big part of rebounding, but the truly great rebounders are tenacious before the ball touches flesh. … As I typed that, Marshall got great position on a tip-back.

Akron has its best lineup on the floor: Hitchens, Roberts, McKnight, McKnight and Marshall. They extended the lead back to 14 with 12:18 to play.

Hitchens threw an inbounds alley-oop to Marshall. No dunk, but the lay-in is just as effective.

Carroll started, but he has only played three minutes. What's the point? And how long does this continue? What other coach would play a guy exclusively for the first few minutes of a game and during garbage time?

Marshall grabbed his 12th rebound. This confirms my suspicion from the exhibition game — that Marshall is the best player on the floor. He has a double-double in his first ever college game.

Austin Peay went on a 12-2 run because of Akron's sloppiness. The Zips will probably win this game, but there is a lot to work on. They have to find a way to get more points in the paint. Akron's lead is only two.

Marshall swatted a shot into the band.

Cvetinovic blew two free throws with the opportunity to extend the lead with 2:30 left. Austin Peay tied it on the next possession with an easy layup. Dambrot called time out.

Roberts drove and was fouled. He is a good guy to be shooting free throws, at least based on last season's performance. He missed one in the first half. He missed both just now. Akron got the rebound off the awful brick.

Brett McKnight missed a runner through the lane. After the rebound, his brother fouled Anthony Campbell, who went to the line and made both to give the Governors their first lead.

Brett McKnight weaseled into the paint and airballed a finger roll. After a foul, Austin Peay made both free throws to make it a two-possession game. Hitchens rattled out a 3-point attempt. Austin Peay got the rebound, and Duran Roberson made another free throw to ice the game.

Hitchens made a 3. There are 3.8 seconds left. Akron fouled Campbell, who split the pair. The Zips needed a 3-pointer in the last three seconds. Hitchens stumbled up the court and didn't get a shot off in time.

It was an ugly game. Akron deserved to lose. They didn't play very hard. It was sloppy. The coach was messing around with a ceremonial starting lineup.

Final stats of note: Akron made only 15 of 25 free-throw attempts. The Zips shot 30 percent from the field in the second half. Austin Peay won the points-in-the-paint statistic, 28-22.

Final score — Akron 77, Austin Peay 80

QUOTES:

Austin Peay head coach Dave Loos:

"Even though it's very early in the season, this is very significant for us. I have a lot of respect for Keith and this program. To win here is really big for us. Akron is going to win a lot of games and be a tournament team. We are very proud of this win. I'm proud of how our guys got down, way down, and fought back."

"We played a very good Tennessee team on Friday night. I think it probably did help to have played a game. I told our players when we left there that this team might not be as long as athletic, but they would be pretty close and pretty good. This game is funny because once the momentum is going, it's hard to turn it around. We were just about buried."

"He is going to be a handful. He is long. He is skilled. All that is missing is a little experience and body building. He is as-advertised. It would give Akron what most mid-majors are missing. There were times when I thought it was over-the-back, but it really wasn't. I was impressed."

"I was pleased with (our speed). When Channels gets the ball in his hands, he really pushes it."

Akron coach Keith Dambrot:

"When you're up 15 points with 7:36 to play, you should win the game. We can blame me, blame them. I thought today we did a very poor job of handling prosperity first and adversity second. We gave game after game after game away last year. I don't know why anyone would be surprised that we gave this one away."

"With 1:22 left, we shoot a reverse layup. We miss four free throws. We start the second half and show no toughness and let them back in the game."

"The big boy wasn't perfect but he was better than the older guys. He just needs to learn."

"We've had trouble all fall finding out who to play."

"If we give up 80, we're going to lose. We didn't have one guy who could guard anybody, except Zeke under the basket.

"That's probably one of the most disappointing games that I've had here. That is just absolutely ridiculous. You almost don't have to shoot a shot and you can win the game. You can hold it for 35 and take six 35-second violations. That's how pitiful it was."

"You try to build fanbase and you try to build excitement, and then you do that. We're not getting an at-large bid anyway. You have to win in March."

"This group is not tough. Until they get tough, they won't win. It's frightening. We didn't lose turning it over a lot. We gave up 40 percent from the field last year. We gave up 80 and I don't think they're great on offense. He's a good coach, but you can't lose that game."

"If you lose one like that, what do you do in the nip and tuck games? When the game's on the line, do you have enough toughness to win? Do you think Dru Joyce would let us lose that game? Or Cedrick Middleton?"

"We went through the same thing last year. When we give up 80, we'll lose. This group has to get with it. Part of it is figuring out who to play. You can't play as many as we did. I know the big boy has to play, even if he's not good. He doesn't know what he's doing yet, but he's going to do some good things."

"I didn't yell at them. I just said you have to play better. You can't go 0-4 at the line. You can't give up 3s late in the clock. You can't give up layups late in the clock. We didn't make one play when it mattered. We got the ball right in front of the rim."

"I didn't think we played great at the point. I didn't think we guarded. I think Humpty played hard. He was the best of the three."

On why Carroll started and played three minutes: "I didn't like the way we started so I didn't get back to him."

"I'm not scared of North Carolina State. We can play with anybody and we can lose to anybody."

"It's how they feel about themselves. We have to become more consistent than that. You saw very little enthusiasm."

"I think leadership is a lost art. It's time somebody steps up. It's hard to step up without knowing how much you'll play."

On Marshall: "By March, we'll be good because he'll know stuff. He'll be better than he is now. He's just playing on instincts now. Building for March, we might as well play him when it matters."

On the lack of post offense: "We just refused to throw it in. When we did, we didn't make the cuts we were supposed to."

"We're doing something wrong at the beginning of the year. We don't guard. For some reason, their mindset is offense early."

On Cvetinovic: "He has to play because he has good fire in his gut."

"We haven't practiced with the McKnights at the three spot. Brett McKnight has to play better. He's had a rough fall."

Football

Another week. Another beatdown.

Akron started with a loud burst of energy, which eventually dwindled to a soft hum. Any team can come out of the locker room with adrenaline and make noise. It is the disciplined, smart team, however, that sustains the momentum and plays for four quarters.

As a result, Temple scored 49 unanswered points. I don't think you'll ever see such a statistic in a game between two MAC teams.

Despite all of that, Patrick Nicely looked very sharp in the first half. I love the velocity at which he delivers the ball. Arms like Nicely's are rare. His accuracy has improved each week. It's such a relief that we don't have to worry about a quarterback for the next three years.

Overall, the offense and special teams made big mistakes. Temple took advantage by marching over the Zips defense, which had become demoralized. Before you knew it, a 17-7 lead turned into a 56-17 blowout.

This season has been disappointing. But until yesterday, I always saw the players fighting hard. Last night, I didn't see that. On Temple's extra point attempt before the half, Akron's line barely came out of their stance to contest the kick.

It doesn't matter if there is one year or five years on J.D. Brookhart's contract. When you invest $60 million into a facility that only one team will use (for the most part), you better go the extra mile and pay an extra $400,000 to get a coach with a track record of success. I hope that is one thing the board of trustees realizes.

We knew that attendance would be better this year. Most people understand that winning games is what puts butts in the seats in November, when the weather normally sours. Akron has had great luck with fantastic weather every week. Everything has been in place for a packed InfoCision Stadium except for the product on the field.

We are in our fourth consecutive season of a losing record. Every year, there have been injuries, adversity and a realm of other excuses. I buy Brookhart's excuses. Like I said, however, excuses can pass for a year or two. Eventually, the accountability falls on the coach, who serves as lead scout, general manager, head strategist, chief motivator, manager of personnel and sometimes the play caller.

Akron plays two more games this season — the season that seems like it will never end. Next week, the Zips are at Bowling Green. The Falcons do through the air what Temple does on the ground. The Tyler Sheehan-to-Freddie Barnes combination might be the nation's most productive.

Then Akron finishes the year at home against Eastern Michigan. It will be two of FBS's worst teams playing on a Friday at 2 p.m. in late November. If actual attendance breaks 5,000, I will be surprised. Go Zips.

Men's basketball

Humpty Hitchens was named an honorable mention All-American for mid-major schools, according to CollegeInsider.com.

Rodney Pierce of Buffalo, David Kool of Western Michigan and Jarrod Jones of Ball State are on the list as All-Americans. (I am looking forward to the Jones vs. Zeke Marshall matchup.)

The Zips will begin the regular season tomorrow vs. Austin Peay at 2 p.m. I will liveblog from Rhodes Arena.

A shot on goal was hard to come by Friday night. A goal, at times seemed, impossible.

Then in the 101st minute, sophomore forward Darlington Nagbe scored with 9:13 remaining in the second overtime to lead the University of Akron soccer team to a 1-0 win over Northern Illinois before 1,694 fans in a semifinal game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Lee Jackson Field.

UA (19-0-0) will play Hartwick in the MAC Tournament championship game on Sunday at 4 p.m. The Zips are ranked No. 1 in the country in all five national polls.

Zips sophomore midfielder Michael Nanchoff redirected a crossing pass from sophomore froward Teal Bunbury to Nagbe for the game-winner.

Bunbury started the play from the left side, and Nagbe finished it from about eight yards away.

Nagbe then whipped off his jersey and sprinted behind the goal and then back onto the field to celebrate with his teammates.

Nagbe embraced Bunbury with a hug near midfield and shedded some tears.

The 19 wins are a school record and represent the fifth-longest winning streak in a single season in NCAA history.

Zips junior midfielder Anthony Ampaipitakwong was taken off the field with a leg injury with 21:46 remaining in the second half. Ampaipitakwong and Huskies (10-8-1) freshman goalkeeper Jordan Godsey collided outside the goalie box after an offside was called. Both players were going for the ball, and Ampaipitakwong went down.

The tackle triggered some pushing and shoving between each team and Godsey was given a yellow card.

Nanchoff nearly scored a goal with 18:45 left in the second half when he kicked a shot from about 30 yards away off the crossbar.

Godsey made a tremendous diving save with 5:55 to go when he batted away a Bunbury shot from about 25 yards out.

The Zips held an advantage in shots (13-3), shots on goal (3-0) and corner kicks (8-2).

UA shut out its 14th opponent of the season, and freshman goalkeeper David Meves earned his 12th shutout. Sophomore Kofi Sarkodie, junior Chris Korb and freshmen Zarek Valentin and Chad Barson were the Zips' starting defenders.

Neither team had a shot on goal in the first half.

Hartwick overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to defeat Western Michigan 3-2 in the other MAC semifinal Friday.

Postgame Quotes:

Caleb Porter

“It was a combination of three special players that linked up, with the end result being a great run by Darlington and a great service by Michael to win the game.”

“It was a fantastic run and finish by, in my opinion one of the best players in college soccer, in Darlington Nagbe. He doesn't always get the credit because he is an unselfish player, but if you know soccer and you watch our team and see the things he does in possession, its magic at times. I thought it was fitting that he scored the goal at the end because he is so important to our team in the attack.”

“I was very relaxed going into the last overtime because I had no doubt in my mind we would win the game and I looked at them and they felt the same way.”

Darlington Nagbe

“Teal played Mikey, and I made eye contact with Mikey. He played the ball too and the goalie came up. I had to get it in. I chipped it over him.”

“Teal Bunbury is my big bro. I told him I love him. We are both up top together and we take a beating together every single game.”

“We knew it was going to be a physical game; its a rivalry game, we had to mentally prepare for it.”

All-MAC Awards

UA received all three MAC specialty awards. Bunbury won the Player of the Year, Valentin was tabbed as Newcomer of the Year and Porter was selected as Coach of the Year.

Porter has won three consecutive Coach of the Year honors.

Zips on the All-MAC first team are forwards Bunbury and Nagbe; midfielders Nanchoff, Ampaipitakwong, junior Blair Gavin; and defenders Valentin, Sarkodie and Korb.

Zips senior midfielder Ben Zemanski and goalkeeper Meves made the All-MAC second team.

Postgame Notes:

- Bunbury is third in the nation with 15 goals in 18 games this season. He is the seventh UA player to earn the MAC player of the Year since 1993. He follows Steve Zakuani (2008), Corey Sipos (2007), Sinisa Ubiparipovic (2006) and Ross McKenzie (2005) as the fifth consecutive UA player to be honored as the MAC Player of the Year.

- Valentin becomes the eighth UA player to earn newcomer honors and the fourth in the last five seasons, following Nagbe (2008), Zakuani (2007) and Evan Bush (2005).

- Valentin started all 18 games for a defensive unit that allowed six goals during the regular season. UA's goals-against-average of 0.33 entering play Friday is tied with Monmouth for the best mark in the nation and is threatening to erase the current program standard of 0.45, set in 2008.

- Porter became UA coach in 2006 and has compiled an overall record of 64-11-7 (.823) in 82 games, including four MAC regular-season titles, back-to-back MAC Tournament titles and two trips to the NCAA Tournament, culminating with a Sweet 16 appearance in 2008.