AKRON, OHIO — Matthew Paiva's late strike gave #14 Akron a 1-0 victory over Notre Dame on Sunday in an NCAA Division I Championship match played in front of 2,046 fans at InfoCision Stadium. The Zips, riding a one-game winning streak, broke through in the 87th minute to secure the narrow result and advance their tournament run.
Paiva's decisive moment came deep into the second half when Stefan Dobrijevic set up the go-ahead goal. The assist capped a relentless attacking performance from the home side, which generated 14 shot attempts compared to Notre Dame's 11. Akron's pressure finally paid dividends when it mattered most, with Paiva finishing to send the home crowd into celebration.
The first half unfolded as a tightly contested affair with both teams probing for openings. Akron created the more threatening chances early, with Jack Roman and Tyler Morck testing Notre Dame's defense. The Fighting Irish responded with efforts from Will Schroeder and Wyatt Borso, but neither side could find the breakthrough. Notre Dame made three substitutions at the 33-minute mark, adjusting their approach as the half progressed, but the teams remained deadlocked at the interval.
Notre Dame came out aggressive after halftime, making four additional changes to their lineup at the start of the second period. Mitch Ferguson and Sebastian Green created early opportunities, with Green's shot blocked in the 48th minute. The visitors earned six corner kicks throughout the match and consistently pressed forward, but Akron's defense held firm under sustained pressure.
Akron's goalkeeper made four saves to preserve the shutout, while Notre Dame's keeper recorded five stops. The Zips controlled possession stretches with their own attacking forays, with Stefan Dobrijevic and Thomas O'Rourke generating chances. Akron's eight corner kicks provided additional opportunities to break the deadlock, though most came to nothing until Paiva's late heroics. Akron awaits the winner of Duke and Princeton.
The match intensified dramatically in the final stages. Notre Dame mounted a desperate push in the closing minutes, earning multiple corners and creating scrambles in the Akron box. Mitch Ferguson came agonizingly close, hitting the woodwork on one attempt in the 83rd minute. Despite their late pressure, the Fighting Irish couldn't find an equalizer as Akron's defense weathered the storm.
Paiva's winning goal showcased Akron's ability to capitalize on limited opportunities when it mattered most. The Zips' attacking depth proved decisive in a match that could have gone either way through 86 minutes. Notre Dame's resilience kept them in contention throughout, but they ultimately fell short in a tournament environment where margins are razor-thin.
The victory demonstrates #14 Akron's tournament mettle, grinding out a result against a determined opponent in a high-stakes NCAA Championship match. For Notre Dame, the loss ends their tournament run after a promising victory over Michigan in their previous outing. Paiva's late heroics will define this encounter—a reminder that in knockout soccer, one moment can determine everything.