AKRON, Ohio - Eighth-ranked Akron got by visiting Santa Clara 2-0 Tuesday night on the Zips home field at FirstEnergy Stadium. Richie Akr Larea scored both goals and the Akron defense yielded just seven shots and two corners.  

Akron's defense has been dominant as of late, blanking three of its last four opponents. The Zips (8-2-0) moved up to No. 8 in the latest NSCAA Top 25. The reigning MAC champions are aiming to return to the College Cup, a feat they achieved in back-to-back years (2009-2010). 

The two teams exchanged blocked penalty kick tries early in the first half, keeping the game scoreless through the first 40 minutes. Akron was able to break through just before halftime when Akr Larea got in close and put home his fifth goal of the year. 

Down a score, Santa Clara (5-6-0) played notably more agressive in the second half. Satoshi "Yoshi" Chaffin (pictured) got deep into the attacking third just after the break but his shot went wide. After Carlos Delgadillo - the Broncos' leader in points - left the game with an injury at the 60-minute mark, SCU generated just two shots the rest of the way. 

Kendall McIntosh impressed for SCU on its defensive side. The senior keeper blocked the early PK, registered seven saves, including two in a hectic series of play midway through the second half when Akron was positioning to go up by two. 

Akr Larea however was able to give Akron the two-goal cushion, and add to his season goal-total, when he curled a shot past McIntosh with just eight minutes to play. 

It was the final non-conference game for SCU, five were against nationally-ranked teams. The Broncos had won four of their last five coming in. 

West Coast Conference play begins for SCU Sunday night with a 7 p.m. match against San Francisco (2-9-0). The Broncos have won 11 WCC titles and will most likely need to win the league to make earn a berth into the NCAA tournament.  

Fans can purchase tickets online for Sunday's game against USF or contact the SCU ticket office by calling (408) 554-4660.