The University of Akron Athletics
Wednesday, October 13
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Penn State
Akron Squares off Against Penn State
October 12 | Men's Soccer
Follow Zips Men's Soccer on Twitter (@ZipsMSOC) and Facebook
Akron (6-3-2) vs. Penn State (8-3-1)
Wednesday, Oct. 13
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 17-14-6
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes Penn State to FirstEnergy Stadium for a non-conference showdown on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Nittany Lions will be broadcast on ESPN+ with David Bacon calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Penn State: Jeff Cook (Bates, 1989), Overall Record: 215-156-57 (24th Season)/PSU Record: 35-18-8 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 157-68-27 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 110-47-19 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters action this Wednesday with a 8-3-1 ledger and riding a three-match winning streak following a 2-1 victory past Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 10.
The Nittany Lions are led offensively by junior Andrew Privett and sophomore Peter Mangione, who own team-high marks in goals (5), while junior Liam Butts paces Penn State in shots (24) and shots on goal (12). Junior goalkeeper Kris Shakes has recorded 31 saves en route to posting a 0.898 goals against average as part of three shutouts.
As a team, the Nittany Lions are ranked first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 20th in save percentage (.811), 28th in goal differential (11), 34th in goals against average (.837) and winning percentage (.708), 42nd in total goals (21) and total points (62) and 49th in total assists (20). Individually, Mangione is rated 15th in game-winning goals (3), while Shakes is 25th in save percentage (.795), 38th in goals against average (.889) and 48th in shutouts (3).
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday evening's game is the 38th meeting between Akron and Penn State. The Zips own a 17-14-6 series advantage. The two teams last met in the regular season on Oct. 18, 2016 when Akron and Penn State battled to a 2-2 double-overtime draw in State College, Pa.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 18, 2016 - STATE COLLEGE, PA.)
Stuart Holthusen's two-goal performance directed the Zips to a 2-2 double-overtime draw at Penn State in men's soccer action on Oct 18, 2016.
Holthusen garnered three of his team-high five shots in overtime for Akron, and narrowly missed connecting on a golden goal with a header in the 109th minute (108:25).
Holthusen directed the Zips to a 23-18 advantage in shots, including a 9-1 difference in overtime. Sam Gainford, Adam Najem, Marcel Zajac, Brad Ruhaak and Jonathan Lewis added four, three, three, two and two shots, respectively, to Akron's offensive attack. Dayonn Harris and Connor Maloney combined to post 12 shots for Penn State in the affair.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made six saves for the Zips, while his counterpart, Evan Finney also corralled six stops.
ZIPS VERSUS THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big Ten Conference for the fourth time this season and 193rd time overall. Akron bested Michigan State, 2-1, on Aug. 30 in East Lansing, Mich., before battling No. 3 Indiana to a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Sept. 10 and falling 1-0 at Ohio State on Sept. 15.
• Akron owns a 105-69-18 (.594) all-time record versus the current 14 members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Zips have gone 23-6-5 against the league since 2012.
• In all, Akron is 40-11-8 (.746) versus teams from the Big Ten since 2007. During that time, the Zips have out-scored the competition, 112-49.
AKRON FALLS TO GEORGIA STATE
The 13th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team suffered a 3-1 Mid-American Conference setback at the hands of Georgia State on Saturday, Oct 9 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
Salar Faryar scored the first of his two goals on the evening at the 38:45 mark of the first half and the Panthers never trailed in the tilt en route to securing their first-ever league triumph.
Â
The Zips registered a 13-7 edge in shots on the evening, including a 5-3 margin in shots on goal.
Â
Senior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) netted his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 69th minute (68:26) as part of a career- and game-high eight shot performance for Akron. Earning the assist on the tally was freshman Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario).
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Oct. 11) (.754), with an overall record of 220-60-35. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 208-65-43 (.726), Wake Forest, 201-64-38 (.726), North Carolina, 199-69-45 (.708) and Creighton, 193-79-29 (.689). Akron made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of the last 13 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including 17 of the past 20 seasons.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Six of the 10 matches between Akron and Penn State with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, with Akron owning a 5-1-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Penn State, 28-16 all-time in 18 home games against the Nittany Lions and own a 13-3-2 mark in those contests.
• Three of the last five regular season games Akron has played Penn State have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips outscoring the Nittany Lions in those contests by a 7-4 margin.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 18 all-time meetings with the Nittany Lions.
• Senior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) cracked the top-10 in games played at Akron against Georgia Southern and has now appeared in 85 career contests during his decorated Zips' career. He is tied with former Akron standout Matt Tutich (2005-08) for ninth on the all-time list.
• The Zips' 2-0 victory past Georgia Southern on Oct. 7 represented the 250th career game in the coaching career of head coach Jared Embick and 175th on the Akron sidelines as head coach.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in seven of Akron's 11 games this season.
• Daniel Strachan is rated third among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 85 games.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including nine newcomers.
• Akron ranks 14th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.82), while rating 22nd in total assists (24), 27th in assists per game (2.18), 38th in goals against average (.874), 39th in goal differential (9), 42nd in total points (62), 45th in points per contest (5.64) and 49th in shots per game (14.18). Â
• Will Meyer is ranked 28th in the NCAA in shutouts (4), 36th in goals against average (.874) and 42nd in minutes played (1,030:00), while Johnny Fitzgerald is rated 34th in total assists (5) and 45th in assists per game (0.45).
• The Zips are 1-1-2 versus ranked teams this season having best No. 3 Pitt, 2-1, on Sept. 6, garnering a 1-1 double-overtime draw with No. 3 Indiana on Sept. 10, dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 5 Marshall on Sept. 21 and battling No. 3 West Virginia to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 30.
• Diogo Pacheco is Akron's active career leaders in goals (15), points (38), shots (101) and shots on goal (42). Will Jackson and Pacheco paces the team in game-winning goals (3), while Daniel Strachan has appeared in a team-high 85 games.
• The Zips own a 110-47-19 mark over the last nine seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 110 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 25-11-4.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 77 of the squad's last 139 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 27 of its last 54 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 66-12-7 record in its last 85 home matches.
• Since Oct. 1, 2015, Akron owns a 63-34-15 record.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its homestand hosting Michigan in a 7 p.m. tilt on Monday, Oct. 18.
Akron (6-3-2) vs. Penn State (8-3-1)
Wednesday, Oct. 13
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 17-14-6
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes Penn State to FirstEnergy Stadium for a non-conference showdown on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Nittany Lions will be broadcast on ESPN+ with David Bacon calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Penn State: Jeff Cook (Bates, 1989), Overall Record: 215-156-57 (24th Season)/PSU Record: 35-18-8 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 157-68-27 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 110-47-19 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING PENN STATE
Penn State enters action this Wednesday with a 8-3-1 ledger and riding a three-match winning streak following a 2-1 victory past Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 10.
The Nittany Lions are led offensively by junior Andrew Privett and sophomore Peter Mangione, who own team-high marks in goals (5), while junior Liam Butts paces Penn State in shots (24) and shots on goal (12). Junior goalkeeper Kris Shakes has recorded 31 saves en route to posting a 0.898 goals against average as part of three shutouts.
As a team, the Nittany Lions are ranked first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 20th in save percentage (.811), 28th in goal differential (11), 34th in goals against average (.837) and winning percentage (.708), 42nd in total goals (21) and total points (62) and 49th in total assists (20). Individually, Mangione is rated 15th in game-winning goals (3), while Shakes is 25th in save percentage (.795), 38th in goals against average (.889) and 48th in shutouts (3).
SERIES HISTORY
Wednesday evening's game is the 38th meeting between Akron and Penn State. The Zips own a 17-14-6 series advantage. The two teams last met in the regular season on Oct. 18, 2016 when Akron and Penn State battled to a 2-2 double-overtime draw in State College, Pa.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 18, 2016 - STATE COLLEGE, PA.)
Stuart Holthusen's two-goal performance directed the Zips to a 2-2 double-overtime draw at Penn State in men's soccer action on Oct 18, 2016.
Holthusen garnered three of his team-high five shots in overtime for Akron, and narrowly missed connecting on a golden goal with a header in the 109th minute (108:25).
Holthusen directed the Zips to a 23-18 advantage in shots, including a 9-1 difference in overtime. Sam Gainford, Adam Najem, Marcel Zajac, Brad Ruhaak and Jonathan Lewis added four, three, three, two and two shots, respectively, to Akron's offensive attack. Dayonn Harris and Connor Maloney combined to post 12 shots for Penn State in the affair.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made six saves for the Zips, while his counterpart, Evan Finney also corralled six stops.
ZIPS VERSUS THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big Ten Conference for the fourth time this season and 193rd time overall. Akron bested Michigan State, 2-1, on Aug. 30 in East Lansing, Mich., before battling No. 3 Indiana to a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Sept. 10 and falling 1-0 at Ohio State on Sept. 15.
• Akron owns a 105-69-18 (.594) all-time record versus the current 14 members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Zips have gone 23-6-5 against the league since 2012.
• In all, Akron is 40-11-8 (.746) versus teams from the Big Ten since 2007. During that time, the Zips have out-scored the competition, 112-49.
AKRON FALLS TO GEORGIA STATE
The 13th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team suffered a 3-1 Mid-American Conference setback at the hands of Georgia State on Saturday, Oct 9 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
Salar Faryar scored the first of his two goals on the evening at the 38:45 mark of the first half and the Panthers never trailed in the tilt en route to securing their first-ever league triumph.
Â
The Zips registered a 13-7 edge in shots on the evening, including a 5-3 margin in shots on goal.
Â
Senior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal) netted his team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 69th minute (68:26) as part of a career- and game-high eight shot performance for Akron. Earning the assist on the tally was freshman Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario).
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (as of games on Oct. 11) (.754), with an overall record of 220-60-35. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 208-65-43 (.726), Wake Forest, 201-64-38 (.726), North Carolina, 199-69-45 (.708) and Creighton, 193-79-29 (.689). Akron made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of the last 13 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including 17 of the past 20 seasons.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Six of the 10 matches between Akron and Penn State with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, with Akron owning a 5-1-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Penn State, 28-16 all-time in 18 home games against the Nittany Lions and own a 13-3-2 mark in those contests.
• Three of the last five regular season games Akron has played Penn State have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips outscoring the Nittany Lions in those contests by a 7-4 margin.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 18 all-time meetings with the Nittany Lions.
• Senior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) cracked the top-10 in games played at Akron against Georgia Southern and has now appeared in 85 career contests during his decorated Zips' career. He is tied with former Akron standout Matt Tutich (2005-08) for ninth on the all-time list.
• The Zips' 2-0 victory past Georgia Southern on Oct. 7 represented the 250th career game in the coaching career of head coach Jared Embick and 175th on the Akron sidelines as head coach.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in seven of Akron's 11 games this season.
• Daniel Strachan is rated third among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 85 games.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including nine newcomers.
• Akron ranks 14th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.82), while rating 22nd in total assists (24), 27th in assists per game (2.18), 38th in goals against average (.874), 39th in goal differential (9), 42nd in total points (62), 45th in points per contest (5.64) and 49th in shots per game (14.18). Â
• Will Meyer is ranked 28th in the NCAA in shutouts (4), 36th in goals against average (.874) and 42nd in minutes played (1,030:00), while Johnny Fitzgerald is rated 34th in total assists (5) and 45th in assists per game (0.45).
• The Zips are 1-1-2 versus ranked teams this season having best No. 3 Pitt, 2-1, on Sept. 6, garnering a 1-1 double-overtime draw with No. 3 Indiana on Sept. 10, dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 5 Marshall on Sept. 21 and battling No. 3 West Virginia to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Sept. 30.
• Diogo Pacheco is Akron's active career leaders in goals (15), points (38), shots (101) and shots on goal (42). Will Jackson and Pacheco paces the team in game-winning goals (3), while Daniel Strachan has appeared in a team-high 85 games.
• The Zips own a 110-47-19 mark over the last nine seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 110 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 25-11-4.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 77 of the squad's last 139 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 27 of its last 54 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 66-12-7 record in its last 85 home matches.
• Since Oct. 1, 2015, Akron owns a 63-34-15 record.
UP NEXT
Akron continues its homestand hosting Michigan in a 7 p.m. tilt on Monday, Oct. 18.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. UConn - 9/19/25
Saturday, September 20
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Comments at Vermont - 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan - 9/9/2025
Wednesday, September 10
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Cleveland State - 9/1/2025
Tuesday, September 02
