The University of Akron Athletics
Sunday, April 4
Akron, Ohio
1:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Northern Illinois
Akron Faces Northern Illinois in Key MAC Showdown
April 03 | Men's Soccer
Follow Zips Men's Soccer on Twitter (@ZipsMSOC) and Facebook
Â
No. 11 Akron (3-1-1, 2-1-0 MAC) vs. Northern Illinois (4-5-1, 3-3-0 MAC)
Sunday, April 4
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 1 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 26-5-1
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television:Â www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.com
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team returns to action following a 17-day layoff on Sunday, April 4, as the 11th-rated Zips welcome Northern Illinois to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. tilt. The clash with the Huskies will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Â
HEAD COACHES
Northern Illinois: Ryan Swan (Drury, 2000), Overall Record:Â 128-82-12 (12th Season)/Northern Illinois Record: 22-35-4 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 150-62-24 (14th Season)/Akron Record: 103-41-16 (Eighth Season)
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into play on Sunday, April 4, on the heels of a 2-0 victory over SIU Edwardsville on Wednesday, March 31.
Junior Nick Markanich leads the Huskies in goals (7), points (16), shots (39), shots on goal (20) and game-winners (2). Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Martin Sanchez has recorded 19 saves on the strength of a 1.23 goals against average.
Â
As a team, Northern Illinois is 11th in the NCAA in total assists (22), 13th in total points (64), 14th in total goals (21), 17th in assists per game (2.20), 18th in points per contest (6.40), 21st in scoring offense (2.10), 24th in goal differential (+9), 26th in shots on goal per tilt (6.30), 31st in corner kicks (6.30) and 34th in shots per game (13.40). Individually, Markanich is fourth in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (2.00), seventh in total goals (7), 10th in shots per tilt (3.90) and total points (16), 21st in game-winning goals (2), 26th in goals per game (0.70) and 35th in points per outing (1.60).
Â
Â
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 33rd time in program history with the Zips owning a 26-5-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, the Huskies earned a 3-0 victory over Akron on March 14, 2021 in DeKalb, Ill.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (MARCH 14, 2021 - DEKALB, ILL.)
A trio of second-half goals proved too much for the fifth-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to overcome as Northern Illinois dealt the Zips a 3-0 setback on March 14, at the NIU Soccer Complex.
Â
Freshman Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) led the Zips with a team- and game-high three shots, as Akron was outshot on the afternoon, 9-6, including 4-2 on goal. Adding one shot apiece for the Zips was senior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal), junior Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and sophomore Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio). Nick Markanich recorded a team-high three shots for the Huskies and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute (61:07).
Â
Martin Sanchez garnered a pair of saves in net for the Huskies, while senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) recorded one stop for Akron.
Â
The two teams battled through a scoreless opening half as Northern Illinois recorded a 3-2 edge in shots in the opening stanza.
Â
Markanich scored what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 61:07 mark off an assist from Roque Viegas, Jr., to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
Â
Northern Illinois extended its advantage to 2-0 in the 67th minute (66:42) when Diego Maynez found the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Camilo Estrada.
Â
Jackson notched the Zips initial strike on net in the contest at the 76:05 mark, one that was saved by Sanchez, before Shokalook added a shot on goal in the 82nd minute (81:05).
Â
Enrique Banuelos capped the scoring for Northern Illinois scoring off a free kick at the 84:56 mark.
Â
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 April 3) (.766), with an overall record of 213-54-32. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 192-59-37 (.731), Maryland, 199-61-41 (.729), North Carolina, 189-64-43 (.711) and Creighton, 190-71-28 (.706). 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 12 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including 17 of the past 19 seasons.
Â
UP NEXT
Akron is scheduled to welcome West Virginia to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. match on Wednesday, April 7.
Â
No. 11 Akron (3-1-1, 2-1-0 MAC) vs. Northern Illinois (4-5-1, 3-3-0 MAC)
Sunday, April 4
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 1 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 26-5-1
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television:Â www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.com
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron men's soccer team returns to action following a 17-day layoff on Sunday, April 4, as the 11th-rated Zips welcome Northern Illinois to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 1 p.m. tilt. The clash with the Huskies will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Â
HEAD COACHES
Northern Illinois: Ryan Swan (Drury, 2000), Overall Record:Â 128-82-12 (12th Season)/Northern Illinois Record: 22-35-4 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 150-62-24 (14th Season)/Akron Record: 103-41-16 (Eighth Season)
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into play on Sunday, April 4, on the heels of a 2-0 victory over SIU Edwardsville on Wednesday, March 31.
Junior Nick Markanich leads the Huskies in goals (7), points (16), shots (39), shots on goal (20) and game-winners (2). Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Martin Sanchez has recorded 19 saves on the strength of a 1.23 goals against average.
Â
As a team, Northern Illinois is 11th in the NCAA in total assists (22), 13th in total points (64), 14th in total goals (21), 17th in assists per game (2.20), 18th in points per contest (6.40), 21st in scoring offense (2.10), 24th in goal differential (+9), 26th in shots on goal per tilt (6.30), 31st in corner kicks (6.30) and 34th in shots per game (13.40). Individually, Markanich is fourth in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (2.00), seventh in total goals (7), 10th in shots per tilt (3.90) and total points (16), 21st in game-winning goals (2), 26th in goals per game (0.70) and 35th in points per outing (1.60).
Â
| NIU | AKRON | |
| Overall Record | 4-5-1 | 3-1-1 |
| Conference Record | 3-3-0 | 2-1-0 |
| Goals | 21 | 7 |
| Goals-Shot Attempts | 21-134Â | 7-54 |
| Goals Per Game | 2.10Â | 1.40 |
| Assists | 22 | 8 |
| Shots | 134Â | 54 |
| Shot on Goal | 63 | 21 |
| Shots Percentage | .157 | .130Â |
| Shots on Goal Per Game | .470Â | .389Â |
| Shots Per Game | 13.4 | 10.8 |
| Corner Kicks | 21 | 24 |
| Opponent Corner Kicks | 12 | 18 |
| Penalty Kicks | 2-2Â | 1-1Â |
| Opponent Penalty Kicks | 3-3 | 0-0Â |
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 33rd time in program history with the Zips owning a 26-5-1 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, the Huskies earned a 3-0 victory over Akron on March 14, 2021 in DeKalb, Ill.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (MARCH 14, 2021 - DEKALB, ILL.)
A trio of second-half goals proved too much for the fifth-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to overcome as Northern Illinois dealt the Zips a 3-0 setback on March 14, at the NIU Soccer Complex.
Â
Freshman Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) led the Zips with a team- and game-high three shots, as Akron was outshot on the afternoon, 9-6, including 4-2 on goal. Adding one shot apiece for the Zips was senior Diogo Pacheco (Lisbon, Portugal), junior Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and sophomore Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio). Nick Markanich recorded a team-high three shots for the Huskies and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 62nd minute (61:07).
Â
Martin Sanchez garnered a pair of saves in net for the Huskies, while senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) recorded one stop for Akron.
Â
The two teams battled through a scoreless opening half as Northern Illinois recorded a 3-2 edge in shots in the opening stanza.
Â
Markanich scored what proved to be the game-winning tally at the 61:07 mark off an assist from Roque Viegas, Jr., to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
Â
Northern Illinois extended its advantage to 2-0 in the 67th minute (66:42) when Diego Maynez found the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Camilo Estrada.
Â
Jackson notched the Zips initial strike on net in the contest at the 76:05 mark, one that was saved by Sanchez, before Shokalook added a shot on goal in the 82nd minute (81:05).
Â
Enrique Banuelos capped the scoring for Northern Illinois scoring off a free kick at the 84:56 mark.
Â
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 April 3) (.766), with an overall record of 213-54-32. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 192-59-37 (.731), Maryland, 199-61-41 (.729), North Carolina, 189-64-43 (.711) and Creighton, 190-71-28 (.706). 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 12 years. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 33 times, including 17 of the past 19 seasons.
Â
UP NEXT
Akron is scheduled to welcome West Virginia to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. match on Wednesday, April 7.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Comments at Xavier - 10/25/25
Monday, October 27
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Comments at Seton Hall - 10/17/25
Monday, October 20
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. DePaul - 10/ 11/25
Sunday, October 12
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. St. John's - 10/3/25
Saturday, October 04
