DEKALB, Ill. – Luis Hernandez (Dallas, Texas/Lone Star) scored the opening goal in the 30th minute but a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes helped lift Akron to a 2-1 victory over the Northern Illinois University men's soccer team on Saturday night (Oct. 29) at the NIU Soccer Complex. 

"Akron getting the equalizing goal was key," said NIU head coach Ryan Swan. "We were holding them off and doing well but we handed them a ball at the top of the box and a team of that quality, if you give them enough opportunities they are going to score. I'm particularly disappointed for Martin (Sanchez), who I thought had a really good game, but we gave him no chance on the (second goal), giving (Akron) a shot from eight yards out."

NIU (5-7-4, 2-4-1 MAC) nearly opened the scoring in the 22nd minute as Adrian Corona (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) fired a rocket from off the bar. Diego Maynez (El Paso, Texas/Lone Star) and Enrique Banuelos (Mexico City, Mexico/Virginia) played a one-two before Maynez found Corona 22 yards from goal and he blasted a chance against the woodwork. 

A minute later, Huskie goalkeeper Martin Sanchez (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) was called into action for the first time as Jason Shokalook got in behind the defense and fired a shot from about 10 yards that Sanchez was able to stop and hold. 

On the half-hour mark, NIU went in front as Hernandez scored the first goal of his collegiate career. Banuelos knocked a ball down into the run of Hernandez who was 25-plus yards from goal and fired a laser into the upper corner, past a diving Mitch Budler in goal for Akron who had no chance as NIU took a 1-0 lead. 

In the 34th minute, Stefan Dobrijevic tried to chip Sanchez as the Huskie goalkeeper was just off his line, but Sanchez made an acrobatic save with his right hand as NIU took its one-goal lead into the interval. 

Akron (10-2-4, 4-0-2 MAC) had the edge in possession but didn't test Sanchez in the second half until Shokalook drew the Zips level in the 73rd minute. A low cross from Ashton Kamdem found its way through the Huskie defense to Shokalook near the top of the six-yard box and the Akron forward smashed an equalizer into the back of the net. 

Three minutes later, Jonas Buechte fired a shot from about 30 yards that skipped once and then came back off the post as the Zips pushed for a winner. 

Sanchez then came up with another fantastic save in the 78th minute as Shokalook cut back inside away from a NIU defender and looked to tuck a shot inside the back post, but Sanchez got his left foot to it, keeping the contest level. 

Akron's pressure finally resulted in a second goal a minute later as Josef Paulus chipped a ball into the run of Josh Hallenberger who fired a shot from the corner of the six-yard box past Sanchez to give the Zips a 2-1 victory. 

Sanchez finished the contest with four saves for the Huskies. 

NIU will close the season on Sunday, Nov. 6, when they travel to Bowling Green. Game time against the Falcons is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.