Borneo Brace Powers #11 Akron to 2-0 Victory Over Ohio State
Caleb Borneo's two second-half goals lift the Zips to commanding road triumph in Columbus
COLUMBUS, OH – Eleventh-ranked Akron delivered a masterclass in second-half finishing, with Caleb Borneo striking twice to power the Zips to a convincing 2-0 victory over Ohio State at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on Friday evening.
After a scoreless first half that saw both teams struggle to convert chances, Borneo broke the deadlock in the 67th minute with a clinical left-footed finish into the bottom right corner. The breakthrough came from excellent build-up play, with both Remi Agunbiade and Matt Dreas credited with assists on the sequence that finally unlocked Ohio State's stubborn defense.
The Buckeyes had their best opportunity of the opening period cruelly snatched away in the 54th minute when a goal was overturned following VAR review for offside. The lengthy review process seemed to deflate Ohio State's momentum, while energizing the visiting Zips who sensed their opportunity.
Borneo doubled Akron's advantage in the 83rd minute, this time curling home a right-footed effort into the bottom left corner with Jose Pedro providing the assist. The forward's movement in the box proved too much for Ohio State's defense to handle, as he found space consistently throughout the second period.
Ohio State goalkeeper Patrick McLaughlin kept his team in contention with several crucial interventions. The keeper denied Jack Roman in the 50th minute with a sharp save, then stood tall again in the 73rd minute to repel Tanner Creech's dangerous effort. McLaughlin finished with six saves but couldn't prevent Borneo's decisive strikes.
At the other end, Akron's Mitch Budler was equally impressive between the sticks. The Zips goalkeeper made crucial saves to deny Will Arnesen twice in the first half, including a brilliant stop in the 35th minute that kept the match level. Budler's composure under pressure proved vital as Ohio State pushed for an equalizer.
The tactical battle intensified in the second half, with both teams making strategic substitutions. Ohio State introduced fresh legs through multiple changes, bringing on Nathan Demian and Justis Olorunto in search of an attacking spark. However, Akron's defensive structure remained resolute, limiting the Buckeyes to speculative efforts from distance.
Physical play characterized much of the encounter, with Ohio State picking up three yellow cards in the second half. Aaron Hurge, Luciano Pechota, and Thomas Gilej all found themselves in the referee's book as frustration mounted for the home side. The disciplinary issues disrupted Ohio State's rhythm and allowed Akron to control the tempo.
The statistics tell the story of a closely contested affair, with Ohio State actually outshooting Akron 15-12 and earning more corner kicks 5-3. However, the Zips proved more clinical in the final third, converting their opportunities when it mattered most.
Akron's tactical discipline shone through in the closing stages, as they managed the game expertly after taking their two-goal lead. The Zips made smart substitutions to maintain their shape while running down the clock, with Braxton Hayes and Nathan Ferguson providing fresh energy to see out the victory.
The triumph showcases Akron's ability to grind out results on the road against quality opposition, with their ranked status looking well-deserved based on this comprehensive performance in Columbus.
Key Players
- Caleb Borneo (Akron) - Struck both goals with clinical finishing, left-footed opener in 67th minute and right-footed second in 83rd minute - Mitch Budler (Akron) - Made six crucial saves including two brilliant first-half stops to deny Will Arnesen and preserve the clean sheet - Patrick McLaughlin (Ohio State) - Kept Ohio State competitive with six saves, made key stops to deny Jack Roman and multiple Akron attacks