The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Commences MAC Play at No. 3 West Virginia
September 29 | Men's Soccer
Follow Zips Men's Soccer on Twitter (@ZipsMSOC) and Facebook
No. 14 Akron (5-2-1) at No. 3 West Virginia (6-0-2)
Thursday, Sept. 30
Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium
Morgantown, W.Va. • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron Leads 18-4-1
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 14th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team opens Mid-American Conference play on Thursday, Sept. 30 as the Zips travel to Morgantown, W.Va., to battle No. 3 West Virginia. The 7 p.m. showdown with the Mountaineers will be broadcast on ESPN+.
HEAD COACHES
West Virginia: Dan Stratford (West Virginia, 2009), Overall Record: 73-7-8 (Fifth Season)/WVU Record: 12-3-3 (Second Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 156-67-26 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 109-46-18 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia enters action this Thursday with a 6-0-2 ledger on the heels on a 4-0 triumph past St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Sept. 25.
The Mountaineers are led offensively by senior Yordan Popovic, who owns team-high marks in goals (3), points (6), shots (14) and shots on goal (8), while ranking second on the team in game-winners (1). Senior goalkeeper Steven Tekesky has recorded 15 saves en route to posting a 0.47 goals against average as part of five shutouts.
As a team, West Virginia is ranked eighth in the NCAA in winning percentage (.875), ninth in shutout percentage (.625), 10th in team goals against average (.474), 12th in goal differential (13), 25th in corner kicks (6.62), 26th in assists per game (2.25), 27th in total assists (18), 28th in points per tilt (6.50), 31st in scoring offense (2.12) and total goals (17), 32nd in total points (52), 34th in save percentage (.800), 35th in shot accuracy (.477) and 38th in shots on goal (6.38). Individually, Tekesky is sixth in the NCAA in shutouts (5), 12th in goals against average (.474), 42nd in goalie minutes played (760:00) and 43rd in save percentage (.789).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and West Virginia are meeting for the 24th time in program history with the Zips owning a 18-4-1 series advantage. A year ago, Akron registered a 3-2 double-overtime victory past the Mountaineers on April 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (APRIL 7, 2021 - AKRON, OHIO)
A golden goal in the 108th minute (107:44) from senior Hazem Sobhy (Cairo, Egypt) lifted the 21st-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime victory past West Virginia on April 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
The game-winning tally for the Zips was set-up by a serve into the box from junior Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) to Jason Shokalook, who got a head on the ball with the deflection falling to Sobhy, who struck a header into the corner of the box for his first goal at Akron.
Â
The Zips also garnered goals in the match from junior Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) at the 7:59 mark as well as Colin Biros in the 81st minute (80:46).
Â
West Virginia posted a 14-9 edge in shot on the evening, with each side garnering five shots on goal apiece.
Â
Freshman Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) directed the Zips' offensive efforts with a team-high three shots, while Shokalook added two shots of his own. Pau Jimenez Garcia led the Mountaineers with a game-high four shots.
Â
Senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) recorded a trio of saves in the match for Akron, including thwarting a penalty kick by Bjarne Thiesen at the 13:47 mark of the first half with a diving save. Steven Tekesky registered a pair of saves in net for West Virginia.
Â
The Zips took the early advantage in the affair at the 7:59 mark as Ritaccio headed home his first goal of the season off a corner kicked served into the box from Biros.
Â
West Virginia leveled the score at one in the 43rd minute (42:26) when a give-and-go from Jesus De Vincente to Luke McCormick resulted in a goal to send the game all-square at one into the intermission.
Â
The Mountaineers posted a 5-2 edge in first-half shots.
Â
Akron retook the lead at the 80:46 mark when Biros connected on a laser from 25 yards out that found the corner of the net to beat a diving Tekesky. Garnering the assist on the tally was Shokalook.
Â
The Zips were whistled for a handball in the 86th minute (85:08) that gave the Mountaineers their second penalty kick of the evening. Dyon Dromers stepped to the ball and evened the game at two with the successful penalty kick.
Â
Each side recorded a shot on goal in the first overtime period with Meyer and Tekesky each notching a save.
Â
The game-winning tally was set up by a shot from Shokalook that struck the post before being deflected out to Tojaga, who served it back into the box towards Shokalook, who headed it to Sobhy for the game-winner.
AKRON IN MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OPENERS
The Zips' contest versus West Virginia marks the opening game in Akron's six-game conference slate in its 29th season in the Mid-American Conference. In the previous 28 conference openers, Akron owns a 24-2-2 mark. A year ago, the Zips earned a 2-0 win over Bowling Green on March 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
SECOND-HALF GOAL LIFTS ZIPS TO A 1-0 WIN OVER YALE
A second-half goal from Dyson Clapier propelled the 10th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Yale on Saturday, Sept. 25 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
Clapier scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 66th minute (65:55) when he drove nearly the length of the pitch before striking a ball past Bulldogs' goalkeeper Elian Haddock. Garnering an assist on the tally was sophomore Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.).
Â
Clapier finished the evening with three shots, all on goal, while Jason Shokalook directed the Zips (5-2-1) to a 14-8 edge in shots, on the strength of a game-high four shots.
Â
Will Meyer completed his second clean sheet of the season making one save en route to collecting the shutout.
• Akron posted a 10-1 advantage in first-half shots.
• The Zips notched an 8-3 edge in shots on goal
• Clapier scored his first career game-winning goal, while Fitzgerald added his initial game-winning assist on the tally
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 Sept. 28) (.756), with an overall record of 219-59-34. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 207-64-43 (.728), Wake Forest, 199-63-38 (.727), North Carolina, 198-67-45 (.711) and Creighton, 191-77-29 (.692). 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
• Senior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) enters play versus West Virginia two games shy of cracking the top-10 in games played at Akron having appeared in 82 career contests during his decorated Zips' career.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in five of Akron's eight games this season.
• Carlo Ritaccio made his 2021 debut for the Zips at Ohio State following offseason surgery.
• 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.
• Ten different Zips have scored a goal this season.
• With tallies against Wright State and Michigan State freshman Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) became the first Zip to score goals in back-to-back games since Diogo Pacheco did so last season at Kentucky and versus Marshall.
• Diogo Pacheco's along with Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald have registered multiple assists in a game for Akron this season.
• Led by a two-goal effort from sophomore Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England), three Akron newcomers scored goals in the Zips' 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26. Joining Kingsford was Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and junior Renato Kauzlaric (Zagreb, Croatia).
• Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald each registered a pair of assists for Akron against Wright State.
• Garnering their first collegiate points in the Zips' 7-1 victory over Wright State on Aug. 26 was Renato Kauzlaric (one goal and two assists), Ryan Kingsford (two goals), redshirt sophomore Ivan Nikolic (Toronto, Ontario) (one goal) and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (one goal and one assist).
• Daniel Strachan is rated third among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 82 games.
• Sixteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including seven newcomers.
• Akron ranks 10th in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.25), while rating 11th in assists per game (2.62), 12th in total assists (21), 26th in goal differential (9) and points per contest (6.62), 28th in total points (53), 31st in shots per tilt (14.38), 36th in goals against average (.851), 38th in total goals (16) and 39th in scoring offense (2.00).
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked 38th in the NCAA in assists (4) and 48th in assists per game (0.50).
• The Zips are 1-1-1 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 and dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 5 Marshall on Sept. 21.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 76 of the squad's last 136 matches.
AKRON GARNERS UNITED SOCCER COACHES COLLEGIATE TEAM ACADEMIC HONORS
The University of Akron was one of 95 schools nationwide to have its men's and women's soccer teams recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as 2020-21 Collegiate Team Academic Award winners.
Â
The Zips were the only school in the Mid-American Conference to have both of their respective soccer programs honored.
Â
The Akron men's team under ninth-year head coach Jared Embick was recognized for the 14th consecutive year and 15th time overall after registering a cumulative 3.40 grade point average for the 2020-21 academic year.
UP NEXT
Akron opens the home portion of its Mid-American Conference slate welcoming new league member Georgia Southern to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. tilt on Thursday, Oct. 7.
No. 14 Akron (5-2-1) at No. 3 West Virginia (6-0-2)
Thursday, Sept. 30
Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium
Morgantown, W.Va. • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron Leads 18-4-1
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 14th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team opens Mid-American Conference play on Thursday, Sept. 30 as the Zips travel to Morgantown, W.Va., to battle No. 3 West Virginia. The 7 p.m. showdown with the Mountaineers will be broadcast on ESPN+.
HEAD COACHES
West Virginia: Dan Stratford (West Virginia, 2009), Overall Record: 73-7-8 (Fifth Season)/WVU Record: 12-3-3 (Second Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 156-67-26 (15th Season)/Akron Record: 109-46-18 (Ninth Season)
SCOUTING WEST VIRGINIA
West Virginia enters action this Thursday with a 6-0-2 ledger on the heels on a 4-0 triumph past St. Bonaventure on Saturday, Sept. 25.
The Mountaineers are led offensively by senior Yordan Popovic, who owns team-high marks in goals (3), points (6), shots (14) and shots on goal (8), while ranking second on the team in game-winners (1). Senior goalkeeper Steven Tekesky has recorded 15 saves en route to posting a 0.47 goals against average as part of five shutouts.
As a team, West Virginia is ranked eighth in the NCAA in winning percentage (.875), ninth in shutout percentage (.625), 10th in team goals against average (.474), 12th in goal differential (13), 25th in corner kicks (6.62), 26th in assists per game (2.25), 27th in total assists (18), 28th in points per tilt (6.50), 31st in scoring offense (2.12) and total goals (17), 32nd in total points (52), 34th in save percentage (.800), 35th in shot accuracy (.477) and 38th in shots on goal (6.38). Individually, Tekesky is sixth in the NCAA in shutouts (5), 12th in goals against average (.474), 42nd in goalie minutes played (760:00) and 43rd in save percentage (.789).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and West Virginia are meeting for the 24th time in program history with the Zips owning a 18-4-1 series advantage. A year ago, Akron registered a 3-2 double-overtime victory past the Mountaineers on April 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (APRIL 7, 2021 - AKRON, OHIO)
A golden goal in the 108th minute (107:44) from senior Hazem Sobhy (Cairo, Egypt) lifted the 21st-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a dramatic 3-2 double-overtime victory past West Virginia on April 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
The game-winning tally for the Zips was set-up by a serve into the box from junior Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) to Jason Shokalook, who got a head on the ball with the deflection falling to Sobhy, who struck a header into the corner of the box for his first goal at Akron.
Â
The Zips also garnered goals in the match from junior Carlo Ritaccio (Westbury, N.Y.) at the 7:59 mark as well as Colin Biros in the 81st minute (80:46).
Â
West Virginia posted a 14-9 edge in shot on the evening, with each side garnering five shots on goal apiece.
Â
Freshman Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) directed the Zips' offensive efforts with a team-high three shots, while Shokalook added two shots of his own. Pau Jimenez Garcia led the Mountaineers with a game-high four shots.
Â
Senior GK Will Meyer (Solon, Ohio) recorded a trio of saves in the match for Akron, including thwarting a penalty kick by Bjarne Thiesen at the 13:47 mark of the first half with a diving save. Steven Tekesky registered a pair of saves in net for West Virginia.
Â
The Zips took the early advantage in the affair at the 7:59 mark as Ritaccio headed home his first goal of the season off a corner kicked served into the box from Biros.
Â
West Virginia leveled the score at one in the 43rd minute (42:26) when a give-and-go from Jesus De Vincente to Luke McCormick resulted in a goal to send the game all-square at one into the intermission.
Â
The Mountaineers posted a 5-2 edge in first-half shots.
Â
Akron retook the lead at the 80:46 mark when Biros connected on a laser from 25 yards out that found the corner of the net to beat a diving Tekesky. Garnering the assist on the tally was Shokalook.
Â
The Zips were whistled for a handball in the 86th minute (85:08) that gave the Mountaineers their second penalty kick of the evening. Dyon Dromers stepped to the ball and evened the game at two with the successful penalty kick.
Â
Each side recorded a shot on goal in the first overtime period with Meyer and Tekesky each notching a save.
Â
The game-winning tally was set up by a shot from Shokalook that struck the post before being deflected out to Tojaga, who served it back into the box towards Shokalook, who headed it to Sobhy for the game-winner.
AKRON IN MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OPENERS
The Zips' contest versus West Virginia marks the opening game in Akron's six-game conference slate in its 29th season in the Mid-American Conference. In the previous 28 conference openers, Akron owns a 24-2-2 mark. A year ago, the Zips earned a 2-0 win over Bowling Green on March 7, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
SECOND-HALF GOAL LIFTS ZIPS TO A 1-0 WIN OVER YALE
A second-half goal from Dyson Clapier propelled the 10th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Yale on Saturday, Sept. 25 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Â
Clapier scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 66th minute (65:55) when he drove nearly the length of the pitch before striking a ball past Bulldogs' goalkeeper Elian Haddock. Garnering an assist on the tally was sophomore Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.).
Â
Clapier finished the evening with three shots, all on goal, while Jason Shokalook directed the Zips (5-2-1) to a 14-8 edge in shots, on the strength of a game-high four shots.
Â
Will Meyer completed his second clean sheet of the season making one save en route to collecting the shutout.
• Akron posted a 10-1 advantage in first-half shots.
• The Zips notched an 8-3 edge in shots on goal
• Clapier scored his first career game-winning goal, while Fitzgerald added his initial game-winning assist on the tally
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 Sept. 28) (.756), with an overall record of 219-59-34. The Zips are followed by Maryland, 207-64-43 (.728), Wake Forest, 199-63-38 (.727), North Carolina, 198-67-45 (.711) and Creighton, 191-77-29 (.692). 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
• Senior Daniel Strachan (Lakewood, Ohio) enters play versus West Virginia two games shy of cracking the top-10 in games played at Akron having appeared in 82 career contests during his decorated Zips' career.
• Diogo Pacheco has now scored a point in five of Akron's eight games this season.
• Carlo Ritaccio made his 2021 debut for the Zips at Ohio State following offseason surgery.
• 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.
• Ten different Zips have scored a goal this season.
• With tallies against Wright State and Michigan State freshman Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) became the first Zip to score goals in back-to-back games since Diogo Pacheco did so last season at Kentucky and versus Marshall.
• Diogo Pacheco's along with Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald have registered multiple assists in a game for Akron this season.
• Led by a two-goal effort from sophomore Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England), three Akron newcomers scored goals in the Zips' 7-1 win over Wright State on Aug. 26. Joining Kingsford was Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and junior Renato Kauzlaric (Zagreb, Croatia).
• Dyson Clapier and Johnny Fitzgerald each registered a pair of assists for Akron against Wright State.
• Garnering their first collegiate points in the Zips' 7-1 victory over Wright State on Aug. 26 was Renato Kauzlaric (one goal and two assists), Ryan Kingsford (two goals), redshirt sophomore Ivan Nikolic (Toronto, Ontario) (one goal) and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (one goal and one assist).
• Daniel Strachan is rated third among all players in men's Division I in games played having appeared in 82 games.
• Sixteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including seven newcomers.
• Akron ranks 10th in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.25), while rating 11th in assists per game (2.62), 12th in total assists (21), 26th in goal differential (9) and points per contest (6.62), 28th in total points (53), 31st in shots per tilt (14.38), 36th in goals against average (.851), 38th in total goals (16) and 39th in scoring offense (2.00).
• Diogo Pacheco is ranked 38th in the NCAA in assists (4) and 48th in assists per game (0.50).
• The Zips are 1-1-1 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 and dropping a 2-0 decision at No. 5 Marshall on Sept. 21.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 76 of the squad's last 136 matches.
AKRON GARNERS UNITED SOCCER COACHES COLLEGIATE TEAM ACADEMIC HONORS
The University of Akron was one of 95 schools nationwide to have its men's and women's soccer teams recognized by the United Soccer Coaches as 2020-21 Collegiate Team Academic Award winners.
Â
The Zips were the only school in the Mid-American Conference to have both of their respective soccer programs honored.
Â
The Akron men's team under ninth-year head coach Jared Embick was recognized for the 14th consecutive year and 15th time overall after registering a cumulative 3.40 grade point average for the 2020-21 academic year.
UP NEXT
Akron opens the home portion of its Mid-American Conference slate welcoming new league member Georgia Southern to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. tilt on Thursday, Oct. 7.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ 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
