Technically, Akron isn't perfect anymore. But the Zips will probably take it.
Officially, Akron's win in penalty kicks over North Carolina in Friday's national semifinals in Cary, N.C., goes into the books as a tie, ending the Zips' NCAA single-season record-tying consecutive win streak at 23 and bringing Akron's record to 23-0-1.
But that'll be 23-0-1 in the national championship game, where the top-seeded Zips will meet second-seeded Virginia, overtime winners over Wake Forest on Friday night. It's the second-ever title appearance for Akron, and the first since 1997 for the Cavaliers, who managed to stand tallest in an ACC and NCAA Tournament that just don't forgive lapses.
As it is, we have the top team in the country -- by far the most dominant club in D-I Men's Soccer this year -- meeting the top team in the nation's premier conference. And it all starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Watch it live on ESPN2!
Officially, Akron's win in penalty kicks over North Carolina in Friday's national semifinals in Cary, N.C., goes into the books as a tie, ending the Zips' NCAA single-season record-tying consecutive win streak at 23 and bringing Akron's record to 23-0-1.
But that'll be 23-0-1 in the national championship game, where the top-seeded Zips will meet second-seeded Virginia, overtime winners over Wake Forest on Friday night. It's the second-ever title appearance for Akron, and the first since 1997 for the Cavaliers, who managed to stand tallest in an ACC and NCAA Tournament that just don't forgive lapses.
As it is, we have the top team in the country -- by far the most dominant club in D-I Men's Soccer this year -- meeting the top team in the nation's premier conference. And it all starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Watch it live on ESPN2!
For full recaps of both games, click here:
Akron Wins In PK's | Ownby's Golden Goal Pushes Virginia On
For full highlights of both, click here!
Akron vs. North Carolina | Virginia vs. Wake Forest
Akron Wins In PK's | Ownby's Golden Goal Pushes Virginia On
For full highlights of both, click here!
Akron vs. North Carolina | Virginia vs. Wake Forest
Martino was neutral -- what a joke!! He should not be doing the final game with VA in the game. Akron was the better team and Virginia got away with constant fouls from behind. Good defense by #17 on last chance for Akron? He totally took him down and prevented him from scoring. #17 should have been out of the game by red card - and what a bunch of whiners. Akron deserved better.
Umm, pretty sure an Akron guy threw a UVA guy into the advertising signage, knocking him out of the game. Akron had possession but UVA had the better chances throughout most of the game. It was rough on both sides and evenly played. Bottom line, Akron is a very good team and penalty kicks is a crappy way to go, but they were not clearly better than UNC or UVA, and if they played in the ACC they would not be undefeated.