Courtesy: Jeff Harwell-Zips Sports Photography Senior Matt Tutich scored a goal and added an assist Saturday versus Buffalo.

AKRON, Ohio – The No. 5 University of Akron men’s soccer team picked up its eighth straight victory in dominating fashion Saturday by shutting out Buffalo, 2-0, on a chilly evening at Lee Jackson Field.

The Zips, who improved to 11-1-2 overall and 4-0-0 in the Mid-American Conference, controlled the game from start to finish and out-shot the Bulls, 18-4, in a rematch of last year’s MAC Tournament finals. It was Buffalo's first loss in league play as the Bulls, who received votes for the NSCAA/adidas top 25 this week, fell to 10-3-3 overall and 2-1-1 in the conference.

“We looked sharp and focused tonight against a very good Buffalo team,” said third-year UA head coach Caleb Porter. “We still have to do a better job of putting teams away, but I give their goal keeper a lot of credit for making some key saves to keep them in the game.”

Following up his three-goal performance against Wright State Wednesday, sophomore Steve Zakuani gave the Zips all the offense they would need with his 15th goal of the season coming in the 27th minute. The decisive score came from 12 yards out and followed a cross from the right side of the box from senior Matt Tutich, who has recorded at least one point in his last seven games.

Tutich then put the game away with his fifth goal of the year coming in the 73rd minute off a deflection from the goal keeper.

UA’s starting back line of Ossie Michalsen, Chris Korb, Kofi Sarkodie and Matt Dagilis allowed just one shot on goal for the match while reigning MAC Player of the Week Evan Bush picked up his ninth shutout of the season. Goal keeper Rob Shuttleworth recorded five saves in a losing effort for Buffalo.

With Saturday's victory, Akron improved to 10-0-1 in its last 11 MAC contests and hasn't suffered a regular-season loss to a conference opponent since a 1-0 setback at Northern Illinois on Oct. 14, 2006.

The Zips’ final homestand of the regular season continues next Wednesday when they host No. 18 Michigan at Lee Jackson Field starting at 7:30 p.m.

“We’re looking forward to going toe-to-toe against another nationally-ranked opponent,” Porter said. “But we’re playing our best soccer right now and I know we will be up to the challenge."

Zips Notebook: Zakuani, who scored six goals as a freshman a year ago, has recorded five game-winning goals in 2008 ... The Zips' defense, which is ranked second in the country, has recorded 10 shutouts in 14 games. The school record for most shutouts in a season is 15 (23 games; 2005) ... The Zips have shut out their last three opponents and have out-scored the opposition, 28-2, in their last eight contests ... Akron improved to 37-2-3 (.917) at Lee Jackson Field since the 2005 season and are 8-0-0 on their home field this season ... Since joining the Mid-American Conference in 1993, the Zips have posted an overall mark of 74-10-6 (.856) in league play.