INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Akron (7-2-1) defeated Butler (2-8-0) 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in front of 676 fans at the Butler Bowl, with Remi Agunbiade scoring the decisive goal in the 77th minute.
After 76 scoreless minutes, Agunbiade broke the deadlock with a well-placed low shot from a corner kick sequence. The goal came from excellent build-up play, with Freddy Kossehasse and Jose Pedro both credited with assists on the match-winner.
The first half saw Akron establish control early, with Jack Roman testing the Butler defense in the 22nd minute with a shot that sailed high. Stefan Dobrijevic created multiple chances, including shots in the 7th and 11th minutes that challenged Butler goalkeeper Aurie Briscoe. The Zips maintained pressure throughout the opening period, forcing three corner kicks while limiting Butler's opportunities.
Butler showed more attacking intent after halftime, with Ryan Hannosh firing a shot high in the 46th minute. The match's intensity increased as both teams sought the breakthrough, leading to tactical adjustments from both benches. Key substitutions came in the 74th minute when Butler brought on Kyle Alb and Brendan Cunningham to provide fresh attacking options. However, it was Akron's Agunbiade who ultimately made the difference with his clinical finish.
The statistical dominance of Akron was evident throughout the match. The Zips outshot Butler 18-9, putting 8 attempts on target compared to Butler's 2. Akron also held a commanding 16-3 advantage in corner kicks, highlighting their territorial control. The physical nature of the match saw both teams receive cards, with Butler's Manolo Ferreres shown yellow in the 80th minute.
Several players stood out individually. Remi Agunbiade not only scored the winner but registered multiple shots throughout the match. Jack Sullivan created consistent pressure with several attempts on goal, while Butler's Aurie Briscoe made seven crucial saves to keep his team in the match. Bernardo Raposo led Butler's attack with multiple shot attempts, including a dangerous effort in the 61st minute.
Tactically, Akron's approach focused on building pressure through sustained possession and utilizing their significant advantage in corner kicks. Butler adopted a more defensive stance, looking to counter through Josemir Gomez and Ryan Hannosh when opportunities arose. The introduction of Matthew Paiva and the return of Agunbiade late in the match helped Akron maintain their advantage after taking the lead.
The victory extends Akron's winning streak to two matches, solidifying their strong 7-2-1 record. For Butler, the loss marks their fifth straight defeat, though their defensive performance against a strong Akron side showed promise despite the result.
Looking ahead, Akron will face St. John's (NY) on October 3rd at 7:00 PM, while Butler travels to DePaul for a 3:00 PM kickoff on the same day. The Zips will look to maintain their momentum, while Butler seeks to end their losing streak and turn their season around.
The match ultimately came down to Akron's persistence in attack, with their 16 corner kicks eventually producing the decisive moment through Agunbiade's finish. Despite Butler's resolute defending and Briscoe's impressive performance in goal, Akron's superior shot creation and territorial dominance proved the difference in a tightly contested match.