The glorious run of the Michigan men's soccer team finally came to an end Friday night in Santa Barbara, CA. Playing in the NCAA College Cup semifinals for the first time in school history, the Wolverines fell to Akron, 2-1.
↵Michigan took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Justin Meram just 2 minutes into the game. It was Meram's 17th score of the season. Unfortunately, that goal was the only scoring chance the Wolverines would see for the rest of the contest.
↵Akron kept the pressure on the Michigan end of the field throughout the rest of the game, outshooting the Wolverines 14-4 in the first half. The Zips tied the game late in the first half on a goal by Perry Kitchen.
↵Michigan had an excellent chance to regain the lead late in the second half, but Soony Said's shot hit the post.
↵↵↵↵"It came off his foot … and you think it had a good chance to go," Michigan head coach Steve Burns said. "It came off the inside of the post. One less layer of paint and I think that thing goes."
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10 minutes later, Akron capitalized on a Michigan penalty to score the go-ahead goal. The Zips' Kodi Sarkofie headed in a free kick past Michigan goalie Chris Blais for what turned out to be the game-winner.
↵Michigan finishes 17-5-3 on the season, completing its best season in the 11-year history of the men's soccer program. The Wolverines won nine straight games in making it to the College Cup semifinals. A 7-1 loss to Akron in the regular season was their last loss before Friday night's elimination.
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