The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, October 22
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Bowling Green
Akron Battles Bowling Green on Senior Night in Key MAC Showdown
October 21 | Men's Soccer
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No. 24 Akron (7-3-3) vs. No. 14 Bowling Green (9-2-2, 2-0-1 MAC)
Friday, Oct. 22
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 49-10-5
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 No. 24 University of Akron men's soccer team hosts 14th-rated Bowling Green on Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 22 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Falcons will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Chad Welker calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Bowling Green: Eric Nichols (Ohio State, 2000), Overall Record: 163-118-35 (17th Season)/BG Record: 104-96-33 (13th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 158-68-28 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 111-47-20 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING BOWLING GREEN
Bowling Green comes into action this Friday with a 9-2-2 ledger, including a 2-0-1 mark in the Mid-American Conference, following a 1-1 double-overtime draw at Northern Illinois on Oct. 16. The Falcons had their scheduled contest at Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday canceled.
Bowling Green is led offensively by senior Jacob Erlandson, who owns team-high marks in goals (5), points (13), shots on goal (12) and game-winners, while sophomore Kyle Cusimano paces the squad in assists (8) and freshman Alberto Anaya in shots (27). Junior goalkeeper Logan Kowalczyk has recorded 26 saves en route to posting a 0.59 goals against average as part of seven shutouts.
As a team, the Falcons are ranked seventh in the NCAA in goals against average (.586), 11th in assists per game (2.54) and total assists (33), 12th in shutout percentage (.538), 13th in goal differential (18), 19th in total points (85) and winning percentage (.769), 26th in points per tilt (6.54), 27th in total goals (26), 31st in corner kicks (6.38) and shots on goal per outing (6.54), 33rd in scoring offense (2.00) and 40th in save percentage (.771) and shots per game (14.38). Individually, Kowalczyk is rated fourth in the NCAA in shutouts (7), seventh in goals against average (.586), 25th in minutes played (1,227:55) and 44th in save percentage (.765), while Cusimano ranks sixth in total assists (8) and 13th in assists per game (0.62).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Bowling Green are meeting for 65th time in program history with the Zips owning a 49-10-5 series advantage, including a 27-4-1 mark at home. A year ago, the Zips bested the Falcons, 2-0, on March 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium, before dropping a 1-0 overtime decision at Bowling Green on April 11, 2021.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (APRIL 11, 2021 - BOWLING GREEN, OHIO)
A golden goal in the 97th minute (96:11) from Vinny Worner lifted Bowling Green to a 1-0 overtime triumph past Akron on April 11, 2021 at Cochrane Stadium.
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The Zips were outshot in the match, 25-8, including 9-0 on goal. Senior Hazem Sobhy (Cairo, Egypt) led Akron with a team-best two shots, while Chris Sullivan directed the Falcons' offensive attack with a game-high five shots.
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Senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) garnered a season-high eight saves in goal for the Zips, with six of those stops occurring in the second half and overtime. Logan Kowalczyk earned the shutout for Bowling Green without the benefit of making a save.
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The game-winning goal came off a corner kick the was headed in the box to Worner, who struck the ball from 10 yards out to the corner of the net to give the Falcons their first home victory over Akron since the 2002 campaign.
SEVEN ZIPS NEAR END OF THEIR HOME AKRON CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Bowling Green on Friday, Oct. 22, will mark the final home Mid-American Conference games in the careers of seniors Samuel George (Dagenham, England), Will Meyer, Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal), Hazem Sobhy and Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio), as well as junior Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) and redshirt sophomore Ivan Nikolic (Toronto, Ontario).
George has appeared in seven of the Zips' 13 contests this season, owning a goal on the strength of seven shots, including a pair on frame.
A two-year member of the Akron squad, Meyer has played 22 games in net for the Zips owning 60 saves and seven shutouts en route to a 1.11 goals against average.
Nikolic has persevered through injuries to appear in nine games during his four-year Zips' career owning a goal on the strength of four shots, including a pair on net.
Pacheco has appeared in 48 matches, including 24 starts and has posted 15 goals and nine assists on 106 shots, including 44 on frame.
Ritaccio has played in 53 games over his Akron career, including 50 starts. He has registered four goals, while adding two assists on the heels of 22 shots, including eight on goal.
Sobhy is in his second season at Akron and has recorded a goal and two assists in 22 contests.
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Strachan has played in a team-best 87 games over his Akron career, including 77 starts. He has registered three goals, while adding five assists on the strength of 32 shots, including 12 on goal.
AKRON BATTLES MICHIGAN TO 0-0 DOUBLE-OT DRAW
The 24th-rated University of Akron men's soccer battled Michigan to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Monday, Oct. 18 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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In a tightly contested 110 minutes of play, the Zips garnered a 12-11 edge in overall shots on the evening, with the Wolverines bettering Akron in shots on goal, 3-2.
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Diogo Pacheco and freshman Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) directed Akron's offensive attack posting a game-high three shots apiece. Inaki Rodriguez led Michigan with three shots.
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GK Will Meyer collected three saves for Akron en route to garnering his fifth shutout of the season.
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The best scoring chance in the match for the Zips came at the 25:52 mark of the first half on a header from sophomore Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) that was thwarted by a diving save from Owen Finnerty.
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. 21) (.754), with an overall record of 221-60-36. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 204-64-38 (.729), Maryland, 210-65-43 (.728), North Carolina, 201-70-45 (.707) and Creighton, 195-79-30 (.691). 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.
KINGSFORD NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Kingsford was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its Men's Soccer Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Oct. 18.
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Kingsford sparked Akron to a 2-1 non-conference triumph past Penn State on Oct. 13 registering a goal and an assist on the strength of a game-high five shots, including one on goal.
Kingsford netted his third tally of the season at the 15:01 mark against the Nittany Lions to give the Zips a lead they didn't relinquish. He later added an assist on Dyson Clapier's game-winning goal in the 20th minute (19:40).
ZIPS GARNER NATIONAL HONORS
Akron forwards Diogo Pacheco and Ryan Kingsford were tabbed as Honorable Mention selections by TopDrawerSoccer.Com to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week it was announced on Oct. 18.
Additionally, Kingsford was honored by College Soccer News to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week on Oct. 18.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Fourteen of the 18 matches between Akron and Bowling Green with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including seven of the last 11, with the Zips owning a 11-2-1 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Bowling Green, 94-25 all-time in 32 home games against the Falcons.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 43 all-time meetings with Bowling Green.
• Daniel Strachan cracked the top-10 in games played at Akron against Georgia Southern and has now appeared in 87 career contests during his decorated Zips' career.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in eight of Akron's 13 games this season.
• The Zips set season-high marks in goals (7), assists (8), points (22) and shots on goal in a 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26, while establishing top marks in shots (24) and corner kicks (18) in a 3-0 triumph past Robert Morris on Sept. 3.
• Eleven different Zips have scored a goal this season.
• Daniel Strachan is rated second among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 87 games.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including nine newcomers.
• Akron ranks 18th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.54), while rating 23rd in total assists (28), 25th in goals against average (.805), 29th in assists per game (2.15), 38th in goal differential (10), 45th in shots per game (14.08), 46th in shutout percentage (.385) and 47th in save percentage (.761).
• Will Meyer is ranked 20th in the NCAA in shutouts (4), 24th in minutes played (1,230:00) and 26th in goals against average (.805) and while Johnny Fitzgerald is rated 32nd in total assists (6) and 42nd in assists per game (0.46).
• 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.
• Akron owned a 1-0-1 mark against ranked squads in 2020, including handing eventual national champion Marshall a 2-1 overtime setback on March 2, 2021.
• Diogo Pacheco is Akron's active career leaders in goals (15), points (39), shots (106) and shots on goal (44). Will Jackson and Pacheco paces the team in game-winning goals (3), while Daniel Strachan has appeared in a team-high 87 games.
• The Zips own a 111-47-20 mark over the last nine seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 111 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 78 of the squad's last 141 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 28 of its last 56 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 67-12-8 record in its last 87 home matches.
AKRON FRESHMEN QUARTET EARNS TDS TOP-100 ACCOLADES
University of Akron men's soccer freshmen Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany), Dyson Clapier, Malik Henry and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal were named by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Midseason Top-100 Freshmen men's soccer squad.
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Buechte, Clapier, Henry and Wan Kamal were tabbed No. 17, No. 27, No. 54 and No. 80, respectively.
Akron equaled an NCAA-best four selections to share top honors with SMU and UCLA.
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Buechte has started all 13 games for the Zips this season and has helped anchor and Akron defensive unit that has registered five shutouts.
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Having started 12 of the Zips' 13 contests this fall, Clapier leads the squad in game-winners (2), while ranking second on the team in goals (4), points (10), shots (27) and shots on goal (11).
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Henry is rated third on the squad in assists (4), having started 12 of Akron's 13 contests this season, while helping the Zips' defensive efforts to five shutouts.
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Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal has started seven of Akron's 13 games on the campaign en route to recording a pair of goals and two assists on the strength of 12 shots, including seven on goal.
UP NEXT
Akron concludes its home campaign with an in-state battle versus Cleveland State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
No. 24 Akron (7-3-3) vs. No. 14 Bowling Green (9-2-2, 2-0-1 MAC)
Friday, Oct. 22
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 49-10-5
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 No. 24 University of Akron men's soccer team hosts 14th-rated Bowling Green on Senior Night on Friday, Oct. 22 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Falcons will be broadcast on ESPN3 with Chad Welker calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Bowling Green: Eric Nichols (Ohio State, 2000), Overall Record: 163-118-35 (17th Season)/BG Record: 104-96-33 (13th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 158-68-28 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 111-47-20 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING BOWLING GREEN
Bowling Green comes into action this Friday with a 9-2-2 ledger, including a 2-0-1 mark in the Mid-American Conference, following a 1-1 double-overtime draw at Northern Illinois on Oct. 16. The Falcons had their scheduled contest at Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday canceled.
Bowling Green is led offensively by senior Jacob Erlandson, who owns team-high marks in goals (5), points (13), shots on goal (12) and game-winners, while sophomore Kyle Cusimano paces the squad in assists (8) and freshman Alberto Anaya in shots (27). Junior goalkeeper Logan Kowalczyk has recorded 26 saves en route to posting a 0.59 goals against average as part of seven shutouts.
As a team, the Falcons are ranked seventh in the NCAA in goals against average (.586), 11th in assists per game (2.54) and total assists (33), 12th in shutout percentage (.538), 13th in goal differential (18), 19th in total points (85) and winning percentage (.769), 26th in points per tilt (6.54), 27th in total goals (26), 31st in corner kicks (6.38) and shots on goal per outing (6.54), 33rd in scoring offense (2.00) and 40th in save percentage (.771) and shots per game (14.38). Individually, Kowalczyk is rated fourth in the NCAA in shutouts (7), seventh in goals against average (.586), 25th in minutes played (1,227:55) and 44th in save percentage (.765), while Cusimano ranks sixth in total assists (8) and 13th in assists per game (0.62).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Bowling Green are meeting for 65th time in program history with the Zips owning a 49-10-5 series advantage, including a 27-4-1 mark at home. A year ago, the Zips bested the Falcons, 2-0, on March 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium, before dropping a 1-0 overtime decision at Bowling Green on April 11, 2021.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (APRIL 11, 2021 - BOWLING GREEN, OHIO)
A golden goal in the 97th minute (96:11) from Vinny Worner lifted Bowling Green to a 1-0 overtime triumph past Akron on April 11, 2021 at Cochrane Stadium.
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The Zips were outshot in the match, 25-8, including 9-0 on goal. Senior Hazem Sobhy (Cairo, Egypt) led Akron with a team-best two shots, while Chris Sullivan directed the Falcons' offensive attack with a game-high five shots.
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Senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) garnered a season-high eight saves in goal for the Zips, with six of those stops occurring in the second half and overtime. Logan Kowalczyk earned the shutout for Bowling Green without the benefit of making a save.
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The game-winning goal came off a corner kick the was headed in the box to Worner, who struck the ball from 10 yards out to the corner of the net to give the Falcons their first home victory over Akron since the 2002 campaign.
SEVEN ZIPS NEAR END OF THEIR HOME AKRON CAREERS
The Zips' contest versus Bowling Green on Friday, Oct. 22, will mark the final home Mid-American Conference games in the careers of seniors Samuel George (Dagenham, England), Will Meyer, Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal), Hazem Sobhy and Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio), as well as junior Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) and redshirt sophomore Ivan Nikolic (Toronto, Ontario).
George has appeared in seven of the Zips' 13 contests this season, owning a goal on the strength of seven shots, including a pair on frame.
A two-year member of the Akron squad, Meyer has played 22 games in net for the Zips owning 60 saves and seven shutouts en route to a 1.11 goals against average.
Nikolic has persevered through injuries to appear in nine games during his four-year Zips' career owning a goal on the strength of four shots, including a pair on net.
Pacheco has appeared in 48 matches, including 24 starts and has posted 15 goals and nine assists on 106 shots, including 44 on frame.
Ritaccio has played in 53 games over his Akron career, including 50 starts. He has registered four goals, while adding two assists on the heels of 22 shots, including eight on goal.
Sobhy is in his second season at Akron and has recorded a goal and two assists in 22 contests.
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Strachan has played in a team-best 87 games over his Akron career, including 77 starts. He has registered three goals, while adding five assists on the strength of 32 shots, including 12 on goal.
AKRON BATTLES MICHIGAN TO 0-0 DOUBLE-OT DRAW
The 24th-rated University of Akron men's soccer battled Michigan to a 0-0 double-overtime draw on Monday, Oct. 18 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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In a tightly contested 110 minutes of play, the Zips garnered a 12-11 edge in overall shots on the evening, with the Wolverines bettering Akron in shots on goal, 3-2.
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Diogo Pacheco and freshman Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) directed Akron's offensive attack posting a game-high three shots apiece. Inaki Rodriguez led Michigan with three shots.
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GK Will Meyer collected three saves for Akron en route to garnering his fifth shutout of the season.
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The best scoring chance in the match for the Zips came at the 25:52 mark of the first half on a header from sophomore Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) that was thwarted by a diving save from Owen Finnerty.
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. 21) (.754), with an overall record of 221-60-36. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 204-64-38 (.729), Maryland, 210-65-43 (.728), North Carolina, 201-70-45 (.707) and Creighton, 195-79-30 (.691). 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.
KINGSFORD NAMED MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ryan Kingsford was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its Men's Soccer Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Oct. 18.
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Kingsford sparked Akron to a 2-1 non-conference triumph past Penn State on Oct. 13 registering a goal and an assist on the strength of a game-high five shots, including one on goal.
Kingsford netted his third tally of the season at the 15:01 mark against the Nittany Lions to give the Zips a lead they didn't relinquish. He later added an assist on Dyson Clapier's game-winning goal in the 20th minute (19:40).
ZIPS GARNER NATIONAL HONORS
Akron forwards Diogo Pacheco and Ryan Kingsford were tabbed as Honorable Mention selections by TopDrawerSoccer.Com to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week it was announced on Oct. 18.
Additionally, Kingsford was honored by College Soccer News to its Men's Soccer National Team of the Week on Oct. 18.
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Fourteen of the 18 matches between Akron and Bowling Green with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including seven of the last 11, with the Zips owning a 11-2-1 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Bowling Green, 94-25 all-time in 32 home games against the Falcons.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 43 all-time meetings with Bowling Green.
• Daniel Strachan cracked the top-10 in games played at Akron against Georgia Southern and has now appeared in 87 career contests during his decorated Zips' career.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in eight of Akron's 13 games this season.
• The Zips set season-high marks in goals (7), assists (8), points (22) and shots on goal in a 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26, while establishing top marks in shots (24) and corner kicks (18) in a 3-0 triumph past Robert Morris on Sept. 3.
• Eleven different Zips have scored a goal this season.
• Daniel Strachan is rated second among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 87 games.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including nine newcomers.
• Akron ranks 18th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.54), while rating 23rd in total assists (28), 25th in goals against average (.805), 29th in assists per game (2.15), 38th in goal differential (10), 45th in shots per game (14.08), 46th in shutout percentage (.385) and 47th in save percentage (.761).
• Will Meyer is ranked 20th in the NCAA in shutouts (4), 24th in minutes played (1,230:00) and 26th in goals against average (.805) and while Johnny Fitzgerald is rated 32nd in total assists (6) and 42nd in assists per game (0.46).
• 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.
• Akron owned a 1-0-1 mark against ranked squads in 2020, including handing eventual national champion Marshall a 2-1 overtime setback on March 2, 2021.
• Diogo Pacheco is Akron's active career leaders in goals (15), points (39), shots (106) and shots on goal (44). Will Jackson and Pacheco paces the team in game-winning goals (3), while Daniel Strachan has appeared in a team-high 87 games.
• The Zips own a 111-47-20 mark over the last nine seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 111 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 78 of the squad's last 141 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 28 of its last 56 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 67-12-8 record in its last 87 home matches.
AKRON FRESHMEN QUARTET EARNS TDS TOP-100 ACCOLADES
University of Akron men's soccer freshmen Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany), Dyson Clapier, Malik Henry and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal were named by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Midseason Top-100 Freshmen men's soccer squad.
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Buechte, Clapier, Henry and Wan Kamal were tabbed No. 17, No. 27, No. 54 and No. 80, respectively.
Akron equaled an NCAA-best four selections to share top honors with SMU and UCLA.
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Buechte has started all 13 games for the Zips this season and has helped anchor and Akron defensive unit that has registered five shutouts.
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Having started 12 of the Zips' 13 contests this fall, Clapier leads the squad in game-winners (2), while ranking second on the team in goals (4), points (10), shots (27) and shots on goal (11).
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Henry is rated third on the squad in assists (4), having started 12 of Akron's 13 contests this season, while helping the Zips' defensive efforts to five shutouts.
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Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal has started seven of Akron's 13 games on the campaign en route to recording a pair of goals and two assists on the strength of 12 shots, including seven on goal.
UP NEXT
Akron concludes its home campaign with an in-state battle versus Cleveland State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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