One more win will put either Akron or Saint Louis men’s soccer into the College Cup.
The two square off at 1 p.m. Dec. 6 in an NCAA Tournament quarterfinal for the right to play either No. 7 Georgetown (14-3-4) or No. 15 NC State (14-2-4) on Dec. 12 in Park Cary, N.C.
Follow along here for live highlights, updates and in-game analysis:
Akron scores right before the break to increase lead
Tyler Morck’s corner kick from the right side found the head of Matt Dreas in the center. Dreas headed it straight down and into the right corner. Dreas’ first goal of the season makes it 2-0 Akron with 7:14 left in the first half.
Akron amps things up near the end of the first half
Akron continues its pressure high as it allows its back four to continue its defense at or near midfield. With a strong wind at their backs, the Zips are content in knowing they won’t get beat deep.
Akron leads 1-0 with 11:10 left in the first half of what has become a rather chippy final 20 minutes.
Saint Louis keeper comes up big on Akron penalty kick
Jack Roman sent a shot on goal at the top of the box that Saint Louis defender Draven Barnett got a hand on in the box.
Firestone graduate Stefan Dobrijevic took the penalty kick, but Jeremi Abonnel guessed correctly and stopped the shot to his left. It’s 1-0 Akron with 19:00 left in the first half.
Akron not letting off the pedal against Saint Louis
The Zips continue to pressure the Zips and are using technical pressure to push things into the Saint Louis defensive third. Jack Roman scored early and Akron’s tactics haven’t changed. Aside from the Billikens’ one shot, Saint Louis has really been held in check. It’s 1-0 Akron with 19:51 left in the first half.
Akron continues to push the pressure on Saint Louis
The Zips, who scored less than four minutes in on a goal by Jack Roman haven’t let up one bit. Akron holds a 3-1 edge on shots and scored the one time it put one on frame. So far the Zips have been spectacular in the middle.
Saint Loius’ Jack DiMaria was able to get a shot on frame for the Billikens but it was gobbled up by keeper Mitch Budler.
It’s 1-0 Akron with 33:26 left in the first half.
Akron gets on the board early against Saint Louis
Firestone graduate Stefan Dobrijevic sent a through ball to Jack Roman who took it 20 yards from goal. Roman took one touch and took a left-footed shot from 12 yards out to beat Jerem Abonnel to the right corner. Akron makes it 1-0 with 41:54 left in the first half. Ashton Kamden was also credited with an assist.
The rich history of Akron and Saint Louis men’s soccer
Saint Louis has been to the national semifinals 15 times but is looking to get back for the first time since 1997. The Billikens won titles in 1959-60, 1962-63, 1965, 1967, 1969-70 and 1972-73. Akron has been to the semifinals six times but not since 2018. The Zips won a title in 2010. This is their ninth time in the quarterfinals.
Saint Louis Billikens starting lineup
Akron Zips starting lineup
The series history between Akron and Saint Louis
While Saint Louis holds an 8-5-1 series edge over Akron, the Zips are 4-0-1 in the last five meetings with three of those wins coming at home. The last time Saint Louis beat Akron was Aug. 29, 2003 in a 1-0 game on a neutral site.
The two played at Akron on Sept. 23. The Zips won 3-0.
How Saint Louis, Akron got to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals
The Billikens opened with a 2-1 home win over Kentucky and then went on the road and beat No. 6 Indiana 1-0 and No. 11 Bryant 2-2 in penalty kicks.
The Zips have played both of their tournament games at home. They opened with a 1-0 win over Notre Dame and then stopped Duke 2-0 in round of 16.
Who to watch for the Saint Louis Billikens
With Theo Franca (five goals, one assist) and Quienten Blair (four goals) leading a Saint Louis squad that has had 10 players score at least one goal, Akron knows it’s facing a much different Billikens squad than the first time.
Keeper Jeremi Abonnel ranks fifth in the nation in shutouts (11) and is 10th in goals against average (.664). The Atlantic 10 Goalkeeper of the Year is also No. 20 in save percentage (.800). Abonnel has 54 career clean sheets.
Who to watch for the Akron Zips
Stefan Dobrijevic (eight goals, 11 assists), Jack Roman (five goals, five assists) and Remi Agunbiade (five goals, two assists) lead a Zips team that has seen 11 individuals score at least one goal.
Mitch Budler is the two-time reigning Big East Goalkeeper of the Year. The senior ranks first in the nation in shutouts (13) and seventh in goals against average (.600). The senior has 36 career shutouts and has only given up three goals in the last six games.
Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@usatoday.com and follow him on X at @bbournival
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron vs. Saint Louis men’s soccer score, live updates, highlights
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
