TOURNAMENT WATCH: Zips disappointed with NCAA decision

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Nov 29, 2008

In a game moved to the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School's athletic complex in Akron after it was postponed due to inclement weather and unplayable field conditions at Lee Jackson Field, No. 5 seed Akron beat Ohio State, 1-0, on a goal by senior Matt Tutich with five seconds remaining in the second overtime on Wednesday. The Zips won't get time, however, to have their home field in shape for Sunday's game against No. 12 Northwestern. The NCAA moved their third-round game to Northwestern.

Tutich scored when he headed Ben Zemanski's free kick past OSU goalkeeper Drew Czekanski. The Zips improved their record to 17-1-4.

"This team has proven all year long that it has a special quality of finding a way to win," said UA head coach Caleb Porter. "In that second overtime period, we just looked like we were going to win. We were clearly the aggressor."

Porter and the Zips' athletic department were disappointed with the decision to move Sunday's game to Evanston.

"I am very disappointed that as the No. 5 seed, we have to travel to Northwestern," he said. "However, we will make the best of this situation and prepare to face a very tough Northwestern squad. Our players will face this challenge head on in hopes of getting back home to Lee Jackson Field for the quarterfinals. This team is on a mission and having to play on the road is not going to change that."

UA director of athletics Mack Rhoades was disappointed with the process in which the decision was made.

"I support the NCAA and its commitment to the greater well-being of all participating student-athletes," he said. "I do not believe we were provided a fair opportunity to prepare and/or analyze the readiness of our field for Sunday's match. We have a wonderful grounds crew who worked tirelessly to prepare the field for Tuesday's match however weather and time were not on their side. I liked our chances to have provided a safe playing surface for Sunday."

Akron is organizing two buses to take Zip fans to Sunday's games. All students will receive a free ticket, bus ride and meal. (Click here for details.)

Akron hopes to be able to play at home in the quarterfinals if it beats Northwestern. No. 4 Michigan State's loss to UIC cleared the way for the No. 5 Zips to host through the quarterfinals.

DARTMOUTH-BOSTON COLLEGE. Boston College and Dartmouth played 110 minutes of scoreless action before the Big Green earned a 4-2 edge in penalty kicks.

Dartmouth converted all four chances. On BC's first attempt, Dan Lane hit the post. On the fourth attempt, Dartmouth goalie Sean Milligan saved Mike Konicoff's shot

It was a sweet reward for the Big Green, who failed to advance on penalty kicks against Vermont last season, giving Coach Jeff Cook his first success in the NCAA Tournament.