BOYDS, Md. – No. 3 seed and fourth-ranked Akron built an early three-goal advantage before adding a second-half tally to defeat No. 2 seed and eighth-ranked Creighton, 4-0, in the opening semifinal of the 2026 BIG EAST Men's Soccer Championship Presented by Jeep on Thursday at the Maryland SportsPlex.
 
The Zips wasted little time taking control, scoring three goals in a span of just 2:59 during the opening 10 minutes of action.
 
Jack Sullivan opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Thomas O'Rourke chipped a ball into the penalty area. Sullivan adjusted his body and connected on a sideways volley, slipping the ball past the Creighton goalkeeper to give Akron a 1-0 advantage.
 
Just under 90 seconds later, Jack Roman doubled the Akron lead following a quick combination of passes near the top of the 18-yard box. The Zips worked the ball wide before a one-touch pass found Roman on the right side of the penalty area. Roman took two dribbles before sending a shot into the upper-right corner, with Tyler Morck and Sullivan credited with assists.
 
Akron extended its lead to 3-0 in the 10th minute following another well-executed attacking sequence. Matt Dreas delivered a long ball from approximately 40 yards out toward the left side of the penalty area, where Roman brought it down just inside the box. Roman then played a low pass toward the middle to a charging Remi Agunbiade, who connected on a first-time finish into the back of the net.
 
The Zips entered halftime holding a 9-3 advantage in shots, including a 6-1 edge in shots on goal, while generating four corner kicks to Creighton's zero.
 
Akron added a fourth goal in the 85th minute following another combination down the flank. Nolan McGuire played the ball to Ignacio Alem, who advanced down the sideline before sending a low cross into the penalty area. Londen Sears met the delivery and buried his opportunity to extend the Zips' advantage to 4-0.
 
Akron controlled the offensive opportunities throughout the match, holding an 12-5 advantage in shots, including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal. The Zips also generated eight corner kicks to Creighton's two. Akron goalkeeper Brett Kaminski recorded one save, while Creighton's Matthew Hudson finished with three stops.
 
With the victory, Akron improves to 12-1-4 overall and advances to Sunday's BIG EAST Championship final at 2 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The Zips will face the winner of Thursday's second semifinal between No. 1 seed Georgetown and No. 4 seed Seton Hall. Creighton falls to 12-2-5 on the season.