The University of Akron Athletics
Sunday, October 2
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Northern Illinois
No. 21 Akron Battles Northern Illinois in MAC Lidlifter
October 01 | Men's Soccer
DIGITAL TICKETING INFORMATION | CLEAR BAG POLICY
No. 21 Akron (5-2-2, 0-0-0 MAC) vs. Northern Illinois (3-3-3, 0-1-0 MAC)
Sunday, Oct. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron Leads 26-7-1
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
Â
DIGITAL TICKETING
As part of our ongoing effort to enhance our fan experience and improve safety at all of our venues, we are excited to deliver a convenient way for fans to access tickets and parking passes for every Akron home event directly on their smartphone.
GoZips.com/Tickets will be the easiest and most convenient way for fans to access their Zips ticket account. To save time at the venue, fans are encouraged to save tickets and parking to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps prior to arrival on game day.
GoZips.com/Tickets is the easiest way for a fan to access their tickets and parking on their mobile browser and log in with their email or Zips tickets account number and password. At that point fans will be able to manage their online account from their smartphone.
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 21st-rated University of Akron men's soccer team opens Mid-American Conference play welcoming Northern Illinois to FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Huskies will be broadcast on ESPN+.
HEAD COACHES
Northern Illinois: Ryan Swan (Drury, 2000), Overall Record: 147-91-17 (14th Season), Record at Northern Illinois: 41-44-9 (Sixth Season)  Â
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 165-73-30 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 118-52-22 (10th Season)
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into play on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3-3-3 on the campaign, including a 0-1-0 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 0-0 draw at Wisconsin on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Sophomore Taisei Arima leads the Huskies in goals (3) and points (7), while redshirt senior Enrique Banuelos directs Northern Illinois in shots (22), shots on goal (8) and game winners (1). Redshirt senior GK Martin Sanchez has pulled in 17 saves en route to posting a 1.67 goals against average and a pair of shutouts.
As a team, the Huskies are ranked 39th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.33).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 35th time in program history with the Zips owning a 26-7-1 series advantage. A year ago, the Huskies earned a 2-1 victory over Akron on Oct. 30, 2021 in DeKalb, Ill.
AKRON IN MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OPENERS
The Zips' contest versus Northern Illinois marks the opening game in Akron's eight-game conference slate in its 30th season in the Mid-American Conference. In the previous 29 conference openers, Akron owns a 24-2-3 mark. A year ago, the Zips earned a 0-0 double-overtime draw at No. 3 West Virginia on Sept. 30, 2021.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 30, 2021 - DEKALB, ILL.)
A goal in the 84th minute (83:17) lifted No. 16 Northern Illinois to a 2-1 Mid-American Conference triumph over the University of Akron on Oct. 30, 2021 in DeKalb, Ill.
The Zips posted a 6-5 edge in second-half shots, but the Huskies registered an overall 12-9 advantage in shots in the affair.
Northern Illinois took the early advantage in the match when Pepe Martinez connected on a tally at the 22:01 mark. The Huskies entered the intermission maintaining a 1-0 edge on the strength of a 7-3 margin in first-half shots.
The Zips leveled the contest at one in the 64th minute (63:02) when junior Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) registered the goal off an assist from Diogo Pacheco.
The Huskies scored the game-winner at the 83:17 mark when Nick Markanich found the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Anthony Markanich.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.746), with an overall record of 228-65-38. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 218-67-38 (.734), Maryland, 217-68-46 (.725), North Carolina, 206-73-48 (.703) and Creighton, 202-82-34 (.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 their last 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 34 times, including 18 of the past 21 seasons.
ZIP TIDBITS
• Thirteen of the 20 matches between Akron and Northern Illinois with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including four of the last eight, with Akron owning a 11-1-1 mark in those contests.
• Akron is 16-2-1 all-time in home games against the Huskies.
• The Zips have outscored Northern Illinois, 44-13 all-time in 19 home games against the Huskies.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 21 all-time meetings with Northern Illinois.
• Akron has scored three or more goals in five of its nine games this season.
• The Zips are rated 12th in the NCAA in total goals (22) and total points (65), 15th in total assists (15), 16th in scoring offense (2.44), 17th in points per game (7.22), 19th in assists per tilt (2.33), 43rd in goal differential (8) and 46th in winning percentage (.667).
• Individually, Dyson Clapier is ranked third in the country in game-winning goals (3), 42nd in shot accuracy (.571) and 43rd in shots on goal per game (1.50). Additionally, GK Mitch Budler is ranked seventh in minutes played (810:00).
• Eleven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Sixteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including five newcomers. A year ago 19 different Akron players recorded a shot, including five newcomers.
• The Zips are 2-2-2 versus ranked teams this season following a 1-0 victory over No. 24 Duquesne (Sept. 28), a 1-0 setback at No. 18 Penn State (Sept. 25), 3-3 draw at No. 3 Pitt (Sept. 19), 3-3 draw versus No. 22 Ohio State (Sept. 13), a 2-0 loss at Indiana (Sept. 9) and a 5-3 victory past No. 18 FIU (Aug. 25).
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 31-22-7 mark against ranked opponents.
• Jason Shokalook is Akron's active career leader in goals (10) and points (27), while Ryan Kingsford and Dyson Clapier have scored nine and nine goals, respectively. Junior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) paces the squad in shots (70) and shots on goal (33) and Clapier in game-winning goals (5). Jason Shokalook leads the Zips in assists (9).
• The Zips own a 118-52-22 mark over the last 10 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 118 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Bowling Green, Ohio, for a showdown with Bowling Green on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
No. 21 Akron (5-2-2, 0-0-0 MAC) vs. Northern Illinois (3-3-3, 0-1-0 MAC)
Sunday, Oct. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron Leads 26-7-1
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required)
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
Â
DIGITAL TICKETING
As part of our ongoing effort to enhance our fan experience and improve safety at all of our venues, we are excited to deliver a convenient way for fans to access tickets and parking passes for every Akron home event directly on their smartphone.
GoZips.com/Tickets will be the easiest and most convenient way for fans to access their Zips ticket account. To save time at the venue, fans are encouraged to save tickets and parking to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay apps prior to arrival on game day.
GoZips.com/Tickets is the easiest way for a fan to access their tickets and parking on their mobile browser and log in with their email or Zips tickets account number and password. At that point fans will be able to manage their online account from their smartphone.
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 21st-rated University of Akron men's soccer team opens Mid-American Conference play welcoming Northern Illinois to FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 2. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Huskies will be broadcast on ESPN+.
HEAD COACHES
Northern Illinois: Ryan Swan (Drury, 2000), Overall Record: 147-91-17 (14th Season), Record at Northern Illinois: 41-44-9 (Sixth Season)  Â
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 165-73-30 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 118-52-22 (10th Season)
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into play on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 3-3-3 on the campaign, including a 0-1-0 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 0-0 draw at Wisconsin on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Sophomore Taisei Arima leads the Huskies in goals (3) and points (7), while redshirt senior Enrique Banuelos directs Northern Illinois in shots (22), shots on goal (8) and game winners (1). Redshirt senior GK Martin Sanchez has pulled in 17 saves en route to posting a 1.67 goals against average and a pair of shutouts.
As a team, the Huskies are ranked 39th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.33).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 35th time in program history with the Zips owning a 26-7-1 series advantage. A year ago, the Huskies earned a 2-1 victory over Akron on Oct. 30, 2021 in DeKalb, Ill.
AKRON IN MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE OPENERS
The Zips' contest versus Northern Illinois marks the opening game in Akron's eight-game conference slate in its 30th season in the Mid-American Conference. In the previous 29 conference openers, Akron owns a 24-2-3 mark. A year ago, the Zips earned a 0-0 double-overtime draw at No. 3 West Virginia on Sept. 30, 2021.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 30, 2021 - DEKALB, ILL.)
A goal in the 84th minute (83:17) lifted No. 16 Northern Illinois to a 2-1 Mid-American Conference triumph over the University of Akron on Oct. 30, 2021 in DeKalb, Ill.
The Zips posted a 6-5 edge in second-half shots, but the Huskies registered an overall 12-9 advantage in shots in the affair.
Northern Illinois took the early advantage in the match when Pepe Martinez connected on a tally at the 22:01 mark. The Huskies entered the intermission maintaining a 1-0 edge on the strength of a 7-3 margin in first-half shots.
The Zips leveled the contest at one in the 64th minute (63:02) when junior Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) registered the goal off an assist from Diogo Pacheco.
The Huskies scored the game-winner at the 83:17 mark when Nick Markanich found the back of the net courtesy of an assist from Anthony Markanich.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.746), with an overall record of 228-65-38. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 218-67-38 (.734), Maryland, 217-68-46 (.725), North Carolina, 206-73-48 (.703) and Creighton, 202-82-34 (.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 their last 12 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 34 times, including 18 of the past 21 seasons.
ZIP TIDBITS
• Thirteen of the 20 matches between Akron and Northern Illinois with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including four of the last eight, with Akron owning a 11-1-1 mark in those contests.
• Akron is 16-2-1 all-time in home games against the Huskies.
• The Zips have outscored Northern Illinois, 44-13 all-time in 19 home games against the Huskies.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 21 all-time meetings with Northern Illinois.
• Akron has scored three or more goals in five of its nine games this season.
• The Zips are rated 12th in the NCAA in total goals (22) and total points (65), 15th in total assists (15), 16th in scoring offense (2.44), 17th in points per game (7.22), 19th in assists per tilt (2.33), 43rd in goal differential (8) and 46th in winning percentage (.667).
• Individually, Dyson Clapier is ranked third in the country in game-winning goals (3), 42nd in shot accuracy (.571) and 43rd in shots on goal per game (1.50). Additionally, GK Mitch Budler is ranked seventh in minutes played (810:00).
• Eleven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Sixteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including five newcomers. A year ago 19 different Akron players recorded a shot, including five newcomers.
• The Zips are 2-2-2 versus ranked teams this season following a 1-0 victory over No. 24 Duquesne (Sept. 28), a 1-0 setback at No. 18 Penn State (Sept. 25), 3-3 draw at No. 3 Pitt (Sept. 19), 3-3 draw versus No. 22 Ohio State (Sept. 13), a 2-0 loss at Indiana (Sept. 9) and a 5-3 victory past No. 18 FIU (Aug. 25).
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 31-22-7 mark against ranked opponents.
• Jason Shokalook is Akron's active career leader in goals (10) and points (27), while Ryan Kingsford and Dyson Clapier have scored nine and nine goals, respectively. Junior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) paces the squad in shots (70) and shots on goal (33) and Clapier in game-winning goals (5). Jason Shokalook leads the Zips in assists (9).
• The Zips own a 118-52-22 mark over the last 10 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 118 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Bowling Green, Ohio, for a showdown with Bowling Green on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
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