The Michigan men's soccer team battled No. 1 Akron yesterday at the U-M Soccer Complex, but if you had sat in the stands with your eyes closed, you wouldn’t have known you were in Ann Arbor.

A small pack of Akron enthusiasts overpowered the lethargic Michigan crowd, hooting and hollering every time the Wolverines slipped up or the Zips made a play.

Unfortunately for Michigan, they had a lot to hoot and holler about.

The Zips pummeled the Wolverines 5-1 in one of Michigan’s poorest performances of the season. Akron (14-0-0) pressured Wolverine defenders and forwards alike, forcing errant passes that often translated into Michigan turnovers. The Zips were equally as aggressive on the attacking half, moving the ball quickly and catching the Wolverines out of position.

“We knew we were going to be up against a good team,” senior captain Julian Robles said. “I don’t know why, maybe we just gave them too much respect and didn’t play our game.”

Akron’s stingy defense has surrendered just three goals on a mere 25 shots on goal this season. Nevertheless, Michigan (1-2 Big Ten, 9-4-1 overall) hung with the top-ranked Zips early on. In the 10th minute, freshman forward Hamoody Saad sent a perfect pass to junior forward Justin Meram who streaked into the opposing box. With a clear shot at the goal, Meram was blanked by the keeper.

“He certainly could have put the score at 1-0 for us,” Michigan coach Steve Burns said. “You score early, and suddenly, the game takes on a whole different flavor.”

But the Wolverines didn’t score first, and the only flavor Burns’s team would taste for the remainder of the contest would be sour. The Wolverines allowed three goals in a five-minute span and trailed 3-0 at halftime. Meram netted Michigan’s only goal in the 48th minute, but the Zips quickly quelled any hopes for a comeback by scoring on the ensuing possession. Sophomore forward Darlington Nagbe notched his first career hat trick in the Akron victory.

While the Zips joined their rowdy fans at the edge of the field to celebrate their 14th consecutive victory, Michigan players circled their disgruntled coach. Frustrated, they shook their heads as they reflected on the woes of the game. The Wolverines had not been so handily outplayed since a humbling 5-0 loss to Notre Dame in the season opener back on Sept. 1.

They responded to that defeat with seven straight wins.

“Sometimes a thorough ass-kicking cleanses your soul,” Burns said. “And sometimes that’s what your team needs. I think we’ll be a team that responds to that because now you get to pay attention to some of the little details that slip away from you.”