Virginia tops unbeaten Akron on penalty kicks for 6th national title

Schulz Academy and US National Team Player, Shawn Barry, now playing for Virginia

“Shawn has all the ingredients for a professional soccer player. He is extremely fast, has good technique, and can play in different positions. I remember when we were with our U17 Schulz Academy Team a few years ago  in Europe at a tournament, half of the pro clubs participating at this tournament wanted to sign him immediately”, remembers Dr. Josef Schulz, his former coach at the Schulz Academy.

“In addition Shawn was the captain of our U14 Schulz Academy Team 5 Years ago, when we won our first Super Y League National Title. He also was voted the MVP of the tournament, and the team didn’t concede a single goal in all 6 games at the National Finals with him as the boss in the defense. Shawn was a member of the team winning 3 National Titles in a row for Schulz Academy, which made history in youth sports in the US”, continues Josef Schulz.    

Virginia beat previously unbeaten Akron in penalty kicks Sunday, 3-2, to settle a 0-0 tie and capture its sixth NCAA men’s soccer championship.

Akron (23-1-1) missed three penalties, including one off the post and one high over the crossbar, negating two big saves from goalie David Meves.

Tony Tchani, Ari Dimas and Sean Hiller converted Virginia’s first three shots, but after Meves made two consecutive saves that would have clinched the crown for Virginia, Akron captain Blair Gavin misfired over the bar.

Virginia ((19-3-3) last won the championship in 1994, when it capped a run of four consecutive titles under coach Bruce Arena.

The Cavaliers had the best scoring chance less than five minutes into game but Will Bates fired off the crossbar, and a matchup the top two defensive clubs in the country - also the top two seeds in the tournament - ensued.

After 90 scoreless minutes, neither team could net the golden goal through two overtimes, setting up the penalty shootout.

Tchani converted the first shot for Virginia, and Akron’s Zarek Valentine then missed his attempt.

Dimas converted to the right on Virginia’s second shot, and Ben Zemanski kept Akron in the shootout with a shot just past a diving Diego Restrepo.

Hiller, who did not play in the match, followed with a rocket to the right and Akron’s Kofi Sarkodie drilled the left post with Restrepo going the other way.

Jonathan Villaneuva then had a chance to clinch for Virginia but Meves dove to his left to stop the low shot and Scott Caldwell followed by converting to the left to keep Akron’s hopes alive.

Virginia had another chance to win the crown when Greg Monaco attempted his PK but Meves again made a diving save to his left, and Gavin just needed to score to extend the shootout but fired high.

Virginia extended the ACC’s title streak to three years, following Maryland in 2008 and Wake Forest in 2007.

Virginia Lineup
GK: Diego Restrepo
D: Greg Monaco, Mike Volk, Hunter Jumper, Shawn Barry
M: Neil Barlow, Ari Dimas, Ross LaBauex, Tony Tchani, Jonathan Villanueva
F: Will Bates
Akron Lineup
GK: David Meves
D: Zarek Valentin, Chris Korb, Chad Barson, Kofi Sarkodie
M: Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Blair Gavin, Ben Zemanski, Ben Speas
F: Teal Bunbury, Darlington NagbeSubs: Scott Caldwell, Yoram Mwila,