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College Rewind: UCSB tops Akron in OT, Louisville survives Indiana test & more

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Cross defending national champion Akron off of the list of unbeaten teams in college soccer.

Luis Silva's golden goal not even a minute into overtime gave No. 15 UC Santa Barbara (Fox Soccer/SBI) a riveting 3-2 win over No. 5 Akron and handed the Gauchos a landmark victory Wednesday night. Silva finished off a cross at the top of the six-yard box for his second tally of the game, sparking a celebration on the UCSB sideline.

Darren Mattocks opened the scoring for the Zips (7-1-2), putting the visitors ahead in the 15th minute with his eighth goal of the season. Akron had a handle on things until a flurry of action midway through the second half changed the complexion of the game.

Silva and Dom Sarle scored less than three minutes apart to give the Gauchos (7-3-1) a 2-1 edge in the 66th minute only to have Akron's Thomas Schmitt answer back two minutes later to level the score.

Here are a few other results from Wednesday's NCAA action:

Louisville completes comeback in OT

While one 2010 national finalist fell in overtime, the other one came out on top in the extra session, as No. 8 Louisville rallied from a 2-0 hole to defeat No. 6 Indiana, 3-2, in overtime.

Kenney Walker scored twice on the night for the Cardinals, including the game-winner off a feed from Andrew Farrell.

Indiana took a two-goal lead behind tallies from Eriq Zavaleta and Alec Purdie and carried that edge until the 73rd minute, when 2010 Hermann Trophy finalist Colin Rolfe got Louisville on the board.

Walker struck less than a minute later with Nick DeLeon playing Rolfe's throw-in to the redshirt senior, who netted the shock equalizer in Bloomington, Ind.

Northwestern holds Notre Dame to draw

Despite Duke-transfer Ryan Finley's goal, No. 7 Notre Dame was held to a 1-1 draw by Big Ten foe Northwestern.

Finley scored in the 38th minute on a shot from inside the box, and the Fighting Irish (5-2-3) held that lead until Oliver Kupe's goal 11 minutes from time brought the Wildcats (4-4-3) even.

Wednesday NCAA scoreboard

College of Charleston 2, No. 24 Coastal Carolina 3

Wisconsin 1, No. 4 Creighton 2 (OT)

Tulsa 1, No. 21 SMU 2

Cal State Fullerton 1, No. 22 UC-Irvine 2

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What do you think of Wednesday's results? Impressed with UCSB's win? What do you make of Louisville's comeback on Indiana?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’d agree that even playing as a reserve is better than playing against NCAA competition…However (and this isn’t just with respect to Salgado but many other kids who leave college for pros in all sports), the “stay and get your degree” mantra doesn’t hold water like in the past. Sorry to say it but a degree doesn’t mean squat these days…And this is coming from a UCSB graduate. I know just as many people making a decent living without a degree, as those with a degree. On the flip-side, I know many who are unemployed and/or working for crap wages even though they have a degree. Sorry to say but having a Bachelors degree is a minor step above having an HS diploma.

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  2. That’s a tougher call than you would think. If it’s anyone other than an absolute top youth prospect, I agree with you that getting on a top team (or top conference for that matter, ACC, Big West, Big East) in college will probably be better experience than limited time in so few reserve matches.

    If it’s a player who is actually good enough to get lots of time, the talent should still be better at the reserve matches.

    Not every game for either UCSB or Akron is the quality of opponent that the two saw last night. Both will have a few very tough games and a lot of teams against weaker competition. I still think it’s smart to go to college and get a degree. For practically everyone except the true expected journeyman star player, the degree will be worth more than the couple years of higher pay anyway. And if the couple years of seeing the variety of styles played now in college soccer makes them more likely to be that journeyman star player, then it’s a win/win to go to college.

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  3. That was a fun match to watch. The pace was outrageous and anyone who has watched a lot of college soccer would know that’s the cream of the crop 🙂 It was simply a great game by two really good college teams and a great showcase for college soccer.

    Hopefully both teams take care of business and meet again in Alabama.

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  4. Reserve matches are a step above college. It’s less matches but they are at a higher level.

    Salgado is also training with Hassli, Chiumiento, Camilo, DeMerit, Rochat et al … those guys are light years better than NCAA players.

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  5. From my perspective $80k base & $122k guaranteed in 2011 clearly shows how he is better off. That’s not to mention the professional environment and greater exposure to foreign scouts given his passport status if I recall correctly. I can’t add anything to your observation about his quality however; I’ve only seen some highlights. No doubt at all that Akron plays an attractive brand of soccer and Mr. Porter can develop talent in an intense environment. Hope the Huskies take down those Zips this weekend!

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  6. Watched UCSB v. Akron match and the UNC v. Duke match in the week prior. After seeing those matches, I just dont see how someone like Omar Salgado is better off playing in 10 reserve matches/year for Vancouver when he could be playing in fast, competitive and meaningful matches for a top college team that would really push him as a player. I know I’ll catch heat for that, but it’s an honest observation. 10 reserve matches a year is not enough, the quality of the soccer on those teams is plenty good enough for Omar.

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  7. The UCSB – Akron match was played at a ridiculous. UCSB never really allowed Akron to play their game. Two really good teams and congrats to UCSB on an inspired win.

    I dont think Caleb Porter is a fan of American strikers. IMO he could’ve used Ben Speas last night.

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