Akron Edges Tulsa, 2-1

September 16, 2016

TULSA, Okla. - An 88th minute (87:18) goal from redshirt sophomore Ezana Kahsay (Asmeras, Eritrea) propelled the ninth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team to a 2-1 triumph past Tulsa (2-2-2) on Friday, Sept. 16.

The victory represented the 100th career coaching win for Zips' head coach Jared Embick and extended Akron's winning streak to three and provided the Zips with their first road triumph of the season.

The goal was the second on the campaign for Kahsay and came as he delivered a one-timer from five yards out off a cross from senior Brad Ruhaak (Akron, Ohio).

The Zips (5-2-0) outshot the Golden Hurricane in the affair, 13-10, including 8-6 on goal.

Freshman Marcel Zajac (Mississauga, Ontario) directed Akron's offensive attack with a game-high three shots, while senior Adam Najem (Clifton, N.J.), redshirt junior Manuel Cordeiro (Porto, Portugal) and Kahsay added two shots apiece. Tulsa benefitted from three shots each from Rollie Rocha and Jacob Gooden.

Sophomore goalkeeper Ben Lundt (Berlin, Germany) pulled in five saves for the Zips, while his Tulsa counterpart, Jake McGuire netted six stops for the Golden Hurricane.

The Zips accounted for two of the first three overall shots over the final 45 minutes before redshirt sophomore Shane Wiedt (Akron, Ohio) gave Akron a 1-0 advantage at the 64:19 mark. Redshirt freshman Skye Harter (Copley, Ohio) delivered a free kick to within 15 yards of the box that Wiedt fired past McGuire for his first collegiate goal.

Ruhaak connected on a header in the 68th minute (67:12) that was pulled in for a save by McGuire. The attempt proved to be the only shot for either team until Akron was whistled for a foul in the box that resulted in a successful penalty kick from Ray Saari at the 84:29 mark.

The contest remained deadlocked until Kahsay recorded his second goal of the season in the 88th minute (87:18). The Golden Hurricane posted a shot on goal as time expired, but Lundt was there for the save to preserve the victory for Akron.

The Zips battled Tulsa through a scoreless first 45 minutes of action with each side registering six first-half shots, including four apiece on frame.

Cordeiro posted the game's first shot on goal delivering a strike at the 3:00 mark that was corralled for a save by McGuire.

Freshman Jonathan Lewis (Plantation, Fla.) added another shot on target in the eighth minute (7:51) for the Zips, but McGuire's save again denied Akron.

Tulsa collected back-to-back shots on goal at the 25:56 and 26:00 marks, but Lundt proved up to the challenge making a pair of stops.

Zajac's shot on goal in the 31st minute (30:56) and Cordeiro's attempt on frame at the 36:48 mark where also denied by saves from McGuire.

Akron returns to action with a 9 p.m. ET tilt at SMU on Monday, Sept. 19.