#13 PSU takes on #10 Akron this Friday in Akron, Ohio as long as Isabel keeps to the east. Penn State is coming off it's fourth straight win while Akron is coming off a win verse Indiana. Ser Has anyone seen Akron yet? How did they look vs. Indiana?
Akron has only played one home game this year. It was a 3-0 win over IPFW. They look pretty strong this year. I didn't see the Indiana game but from what I have hear Akron was getting the run of play and frustrating the Hoosiers. 10 minutes into the secong half two players went up for the ball with Akron winning it. After the ball was played the Indiana player let an elbow fly connecting with Paul Laguardia (Akron) breaking his nose and sending him to the ICU with a severe concussion. His season is pretty much done as he will be out for atleast two months. The kid got an imediate red and Harwat went on to score the winning goal 2 minutes in to overtime.
I drove by Jeffrey Field today and the Nittany Lions were practicing. They also have covered the main field with a tarp to prepare for the hurricane. In addition to playing Akron, Penn State hosts St. Bonaventure on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm. Akron usually plays Big Ten opponents really tough, and they typically give PSU all they can handle. This is going to be a battle, so we'll see if the Severs-Omekanda combo can continue to roll. Also, I don't have a link for this, but yesterday's Collegian reported that Paul Omekanda (Simon's brother) has a banged up knee and won't play until the Indiana game. Also, Viitanen is injured too so Barry Gorman will have to plug some holes in the back. And the big news...David Walters has cut his mullet!
1-0 Akron. The Zips controlled the run of play in the first half but didn't get too many good scoring opportunities. Akron hit the crossbar with less than two minutes remaining in the first half off a header from a corner kick. The period ended scoreless. The second hald was more even with PSU pushing harder. Akron was awarded a penalty only to be denied by the woodwork. They finally pulled ahead with about 20 minutes left on a beautiful free kick from Hans Jorgen Haugland who caught the keeper off his line. Overall an entertaining evening with over 1,000 people in attendence.
Just got back from the match. Result below: Akron 1 - 0 PSU. Great match. Overflow crowd, tremendous atmosphere. Akron owned the first half but couldn't convert a couple good chances. Penn State came out firing to start the second but couldn't cash. Akron missed a PK off the bar about midway through the half, but later converted a 30 yard free for the only score. Paul Omekanda did not play for PSU. Simon did. He is incredibly fast but only looked dangerous once or twice. SOmebody could, however, point out that he has some teammates and occasionally trying to pass the ball to one of them might be better than attempting to slalom through 7 guys and then launch a no-hoper from outer space. Just a thought. Tremendous match. Akron is the real deal. Talent wise, I'd take Penn State, but Lolla has his guys so well organized and so disciplined that they never looked out manned.
Not too surprised here, especially considering that Chad Severs left the game with an ankle injury. Severs won't play Sunday, and I suppose we'll see how it serious it is. As good as Simon Omekanda is, without Severs, PSU are in big trouble offensively. http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=4859
From what you saw, would you say that Akron is a top 25 team? Also, are they the best team in the MAC?
Akron is definately a top 25 team. The have played St Louis, Indiana, Norte Dame and Penn State. All are ranked teams and there only loss was 1-0 to St Louis in the first game of the year. Akron has yet to play any MAC teams this year but its probably a safe bet that they are the ones to beat.
Match Report No. 10 Akron Shuts Out 13th-ranked Penn State, 1-0 http://gozips.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/091903aaa.html Photo Gallery http://gozips.ocsn.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/091903aaa.html