SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- The No. 3-ranked Akron Zips proved on Friday night why they are considered the most talented team in the country, ending the Michigan Wolverine's tournament run with an impressive 2-1 victory to earn a College Cup Final berth.
Justin Meram scored for Michigan, but a jaw-dropping long distance blast from midfielder Perry Kitchen and a late goal by defender Kofi Sakodie completed a comeback from the Zips, who dominated throughout despite starting the match on their back heel..
The initial whistle had barely blown when the Wolverines took the lead. Meram opened the scoring in the second minute of play with a shot from 25 yards out that easily beat David Meves. The goal extended an eight-game goal streak for the senior forward.
Aside from the early goal, however, Michigan's offense struggled to find their rhythm due to the impressive midfield play by the Zips.
Immediately after going down in the scoreboard, Akron quickly regained possession and began stringing passes together with expert precision. In addition, their speedy defense constantly killed any forays forward by the Wolverines.
Akron eventually equalized in the 32nd minute, when Kitchen launched an audacious strike from nearly 40 yards away that beat goalkeeper Chris Blais' outstretched arm and settled into the back of the net.
Despite being bested twice in the game, the junior netminder consistently kept Michigan in the match with countless timely saves.
In the second half, the Wolverines nearly find a second moment of magic when second team All-American and recent US U-20 call-up Soony Saad saw his shot from 15 yards ricochet off the upright.
Akron then made Michigan pay for their inability to finish. In the 75th minute, All-American first-teamer Sarkodie finished a fine header off a Michael Namchoff free kick to cap the turnaround.
The Wolverines nearly struck right back, but a shot at an empty-net by Meram failed to find the goal.
As the match ticked away, the Wolverines threw numbers forward, but the swift Zips defense proved too much for Michigan.
The loss ends the No. 10-ranked Wolverines' (17-5-3) Cinderella run in the tournament. The Zips (21-1-2), meanwhile, are heading to the final for the second straight year, where they will face No. 1 Louisville and former Akron head coach Ken Lolla.
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