Sangwa’s Goal Lifts No. 18 Akron to 1-0 Win at Western Michigan

Thursday, October 13

Kalamazoo, Mich.

4:00 PM

University of Akron

8-2-3, 3-0-1

Western Michigan

9-2-1, 3-1-1

Akron

Western Mich.

Sangwa’s Goal Lifts No. 18 Akron to 1-0 Win at Western Michigan

October 13 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BOXSCORE (PDF)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A goal in the 25th minute (24:43) from junior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) lifted the 18th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to 1-0 Mid-American Conference victory at Western Michigan (9-2-1, 3-1-1 MAC) on Thursday, Oct. 13.

In a battle between Akron's second-ranked NCAA offense and the top-rated defense of Western Michigan, it was the Zips (8-2-3, 3-0-1) that were able to triumph and end the Broncos' 10-match unbeaten streak.

"It was a big-time effort against a tough Western Michigan team," Akron head coach Jared Embick commented. "This was an old-fashion MACtion game in October, tough weather conditions and opponent. We showed a lot of toughness and heart on the day. We need to use this to continue to build momentum into the second half of the conference season. We have three of our last four conference games at home and we're looking forward to our fans helping our push towards a championship."

The game-winning goal came off a Zips' restart in which a back-heeled kick from sophomore Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) found a sliding Sangwa from approximately nine yards out in the center of the box for the tally.

Redshirt freshman GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) tallied four saves for the Zips en route to collecting his second consecutive and fourth overall shutout of the season.

Five different Zips recorded shots on the afternoon, including a trio of shots on goal from Sangwa, Shokalook and sophomore Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.).

UP NEXT
Akron welcomes Bowling Green to FirstEnergy Stadium for a 7 p.m. showdown on Monday, Oct. 17.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Single-game tickets for the 2022 men's soccer season can be purchased now going to GoZips.com/Tickets or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200 degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.