TicketsSept. 7, 2008
AKRON, Ohio - Branden Stelmak (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) scored his second goal of the season, but the University of Cincinnati men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision at No. 5/5 Akron in the finale of the Akron Tournament at Lee Jackson Field on Sunday afternoon.
"The final result is disappointing," said head coach Hylton Dayes. "But overall, we competed well. Playing a Top 10 team like Akron on the road this early in the season was a tremendous challenge for us and I thought we gave a good account of ourselves."
Stelmak's goal gave the Bearcats a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute. The sophomore poked home a deflected ball in the box for the first goal allowed by Akron this season.
Akron's Matt Dagilis returned the favor in the 22nd minute, scoring off a corner kick for the first goal allowed by the Bearcats in 2008.
In the 39th minute, tournament Offensive MVP Steve Zakuani tallied the game winner, splitting a pair of UC defenders and beating goalkeeper Matt Williams (Portland, Maine/Cheverus) low to the left.
Williams, who had posted shutouts in the first three starts of his career, saw his goals against average raise to 0.47.
Stelmak, freshman D.J. Albert (/College of Lake County) and senior Brad Simpson (Novi, Mich./Novi) were named to the all-tournament team while the Bearcats finished second after defeating Wisconsin-Green Bay, 1-0, on Friday. Akron topped West Virginia, 2-0, on Friday evening.
Freshman forward Matt Bahner (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West), who scored the game winner on Friday against Green Bay, and defender Kashmar Briscoe (May Pen, Jamaica/Glenmuir) made their first career starts for the Bearcats.
The Bearcats welcome regional rival Kentucky to Gettler Stadium for a 7 p.m. start on Saturday, Sept. 13.