The University of Akron Athletics
Wednesday, November 2
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Chicago State
No. 12 Akron Entertains Chicago State
November 01 | Men's Soccer
DIGITAL TICKETING INFORMATION | CLEAR BAG POLICY
No. 12 Akron (10-2-4, 4-0-2 MAC) vs. Chicago State (1-12-3, 0-7-0 MAC)
Wednesday, Nov. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron Leads 1-0-0
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
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.
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WHAT'S AHEAD
The 12th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team hosts Chicago State in a key Mid-American Conference showdown on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Cougars will be broadcast on ESPN+ with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Chicago State: Norris Howze (UAB, 2014), Overall Record: 1-12-3 (First Season), Record at Chicago State: 1-12-3 (First Season) Â
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 170-73-32 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 123-52-24 (10th Season)
SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE
Chicago State comes into play on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 1-12-3 on the campaign, including a 0-7-0 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 2-1 setback versus Western Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Sophomore Danail Sergiev leads the Cougars in goals (6) and points (13), while sophomore Niall Reid-Stephen directs Chicago State in assists (3), shots (46) and shots on goal (19). Senior GK Marco Seyfert has pulled in 45 saves en route to posting a 3.15 goals against average and one shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Chicago State are meeting for the second time in program history with the Zips owning a 1-0-0 series advantage. Earlier this season, Akron earned a 8-0 victory over the Cougars on Oct. 9 in Chicago, Ill.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 2, 2022 - AKRON, OHIO)
The 19th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team garnered four goals in each half en route to posting an 8-0 Mid-American Conference victory at Chicago State on Oct. 9 in Chicago, Ill.
The Zips assumed a 4-0 first-half lead on the strength of goals from sophomore Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.), freshman Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio), sophomore Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and junior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) at the 17:29, 32:45, 38:50 and 42;07 marks, respectively.
Akron capitalized in the second half with tallies from sophomore Josh Hallenberger (San Antonio, Texas), junior Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England), freshman Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) and sophomore Terence Okoeguale (Pulheim, Germany) in the 58th (57:14), 66th (65:59), 67th (66:35) and 86th (85:43) minutes, respectively.
Nine different Zips posted assists on the evening, including the first career point for freshman Levi Stephens (Akron, Ohio).
Twelve Akron players record a shot in the match, with Kingsford and Shokalook each adding a game-high two shots.
Redshirt freshman GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) tallied a pair of saves for the Zips en route to collecting his third shutout of the season.
OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent successes of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 16 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 84-16-13 (.801) ledger in the month, including a 46-7-6 (.831) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.
ZIPS FINDING THEIR FORM
The Zips have found their form as Akron since a 1-0 setback at No. 18 Penn State on Sept. 25, owning a 6-0-2 mark. The Zips are averaging 13.4 shots and 2.63 goals per game in those contests, while limiting their opponents to 5.0 shots and 0.38 goals per tilt. Akron has outscored its opponents in the first half by a 14-1 margin, while posting a 107-40 edge in shots. Jason Shokalook paces the Zips with 23 shots. In goal, Mitch Budler owns a 0.38 goals against average on the strength of five shutouts and 12 saves.
FINAL PUSH TO EARN BERTH IN MAC TITLE GAME UNDERWAY
With the final week of Mid-American Conference regular season action on tap on Wednesday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 6, the stage has been set for a tightly-contested battle to determine the league's top-two finishers to compete in the upcoming MAC title game on Nov. 12. Entering play on Wednesday, Nov. 2, Akron leads the race with 14 points. The Zips are followed by Western Michigan (13 points), Bowling Green (11 points), Northern Illinois (7 points) and Chicago State (0 points). Western Michigan hosts Bowling Green on Nov. 2, while Akron entertains Chicago State. In the regular season finale on Nov. 6, the Zips host Western Michigan, while Northern Illinois travels to Bowling Green.
AKRON EARNS 2-1 COMEBACK VICTORY AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
A goal in the 79th minute (78:37) from Josh Hallenberger lifted the 20th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a come-from-behind 2-1 Mid-American Conference victory past Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 29.
A give-and-go from inside the midfield from sophomores Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) and Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) found Hallenberger just outside the six-yard box, who fired to the upper 90 to net his third goal of the season on what proved to be the game-winning tally.
After falling behind 1-0, the Zips (10-2-4, 4-0-2 MAC) netted the equalizer at the 72:18 mark when Jason Shokalook leveled the contest at one on the strength of his team-leading seventh of the year. Earning assists on the tally was Ashton Kamdem and Clapier.
Shokalook led Akron's efforts recording a game-high five shots apiece, while Jonas Buechte and Clapier each added a pair of shots.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.749), with an overall record of 233-65-40. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 222-71-38 (.728), Maryland, 220-69-49 (.723), North Carolina, 209-75-51 (.700) and Creighton, 205-82-37 (.690). 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.
ZIPS TABBED NO. 12 IN NCAA TOP-16 REVEAL
The NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committee announced its top 16 ranking during a reveal on Oct. 28 and Akron was tabbed 12th in the initial tabulations. The top 16 correspond to the number of teams that are seeded in the 48-team NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship bracket.
ZIP TIDBITS
• The Zips have outscored Chicago State, 8-0 all-time.
• Wednesday's contest versus Chicago State will mark the 200th game on the Akron sidelines for Jared Embick as head coach for the Zips. Additionally, it is his 275th tilt overall as a head coach.
• Akron has scored three or more goals in eight of its 16 games this season.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in total assists (50), total goals (42) and points per outing (8.38), third in total points (134), fourth in assists per game (3.13) and scoring offense (2.62), seventh in goal differential (25), 15th in winning percentage (.750), 18th in shot accuracy (.478), 34th in corner kicks per game (6.00), 38th in shots on goal per contest (6.19), 49th in shutout percentage (.375) and team goals against average (1.06).
• Individually, Dyson Clapier is ranked 17th in the country in game-winning goals (3), 34th in toal points (20), 39th in shot accuracy (.548) and 49th in total goals (7). Additionally, GK Mitch Budler is ranked 13th in minutes played (1440:00) and 19th in shutouts (6) and Shokalook is 34th in shot accuracy (.559) and total points (20), 40th in points per game (1.33) and 49th in total goals (7).
• Fourteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including five newcomers.
• Twenty-one Zips have registered a shot this season, including eight newcomers. A year ago 19 different Akron players recorded a shot, including five newcomers.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 27-5-2 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 42-7-3 mark versus league foes at home.
• Jason Shokalook is Akron's active career leaders in goals (13), points (37), assists (13), shots (81) and shots on goal (35), while Dyson Clapier and Ryan Kingsford have scored 12 and 10 goals, respectively. Will Jackson paces the squad in shots on goal (35) and Clapier in game-winning goals (5).
• The Zips own a 123-52-24 mark over the last 10 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 123 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 91 of the squad's last 162 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 33 of its last 67 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 75-13-10 record in its last 98 home matches.
UP NEXT
Akron closes out the regular season hosting Western Michigan in a 6 p.m. match on Senior Night on Sunday, Nov. 6 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
No. 12 Akron (10-2-4, 4-0-2 MAC) vs. Chicago State (1-12-3, 0-7-0 MAC)
Wednesday, Nov. 2
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron Leads 1-0-0
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
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.
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The 12th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team hosts Chicago State in a key Mid-American Conference showdown on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Cougars will be broadcast on ESPN+ with a link on GoZips.com.
HEAD COACHES
Chicago State: Norris Howze (UAB, 2014), Overall Record: 1-12-3 (First Season), Record at Chicago State: 1-12-3 (First Season) Â
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 170-73-32 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 123-52-24 (10th Season)
SCOUTING CHICAGO STATE
Chicago State comes into play on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 1-12-3 on the campaign, including a 0-7-0 record in the Mid-American Conference, following a 2-1 setback versus Western Michigan on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Sophomore Danail Sergiev leads the Cougars in goals (6) and points (13), while sophomore Niall Reid-Stephen directs Chicago State in assists (3), shots (46) and shots on goal (19). Senior GK Marco Seyfert has pulled in 45 saves en route to posting a 3.15 goals against average and one shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Chicago State are meeting for the second time in program history with the Zips owning a 1-0-0 series advantage. Earlier this season, Akron earned a 8-0 victory over the Cougars on Oct. 9 in Chicago, Ill.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 2, 2022 - AKRON, OHIO)
The 19th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team garnered four goals in each half en route to posting an 8-0 Mid-American Conference victory at Chicago State on Oct. 9 in Chicago, Ill.
The Zips assumed a 4-0 first-half lead on the strength of goals from sophomore Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.), freshman Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio), sophomore Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and junior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) at the 17:29, 32:45, 38:50 and 42;07 marks, respectively.
Akron capitalized in the second half with tallies from sophomore Josh Hallenberger (San Antonio, Texas), junior Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England), freshman Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) and sophomore Terence Okoeguale (Pulheim, Germany) in the 58th (57:14), 66th (65:59), 67th (66:35) and 86th (85:43) minutes, respectively.
Nine different Zips posted assists on the evening, including the first career point for freshman Levi Stephens (Akron, Ohio).
Twelve Akron players record a shot in the match, with Kingsford and Shokalook each adding a game-high two shots.
Redshirt freshman GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) tallied a pair of saves for the Zips en route to collecting his third shutout of the season.
OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent successes of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 16 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 84-16-13 (.801) ledger in the month, including a 46-7-6 (.831) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.
ZIPS FINDING THEIR FORM
The Zips have found their form as Akron since a 1-0 setback at No. 18 Penn State on Sept. 25, owning a 6-0-2 mark. The Zips are averaging 13.4 shots and 2.63 goals per game in those contests, while limiting their opponents to 5.0 shots and 0.38 goals per tilt. Akron has outscored its opponents in the first half by a 14-1 margin, while posting a 107-40 edge in shots. Jason Shokalook paces the Zips with 23 shots. In goal, Mitch Budler owns a 0.38 goals against average on the strength of five shutouts and 12 saves.
FINAL PUSH TO EARN BERTH IN MAC TITLE GAME UNDERWAY
With the final week of Mid-American Conference regular season action on tap on Wednesday, Nov. 2 and Sunday, Nov. 6, the stage has been set for a tightly-contested battle to determine the league's top-two finishers to compete in the upcoming MAC title game on Nov. 12. Entering play on Wednesday, Nov. 2, Akron leads the race with 14 points. The Zips are followed by Western Michigan (13 points), Bowling Green (11 points), Northern Illinois (7 points) and Chicago State (0 points). Western Michigan hosts Bowling Green on Nov. 2, while Akron entertains Chicago State. In the regular season finale on Nov. 6, the Zips host Western Michigan, while Northern Illinois travels to Bowling Green.
AKRON EARNS 2-1 COMEBACK VICTORY AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS
A goal in the 79th minute (78:37) from Josh Hallenberger lifted the 20th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team to a come-from-behind 2-1 Mid-American Conference victory past Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 29.
A give-and-go from inside the midfield from sophomores Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) and Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) found Hallenberger just outside the six-yard box, who fired to the upper 90 to net his third goal of the season on what proved to be the game-winning tally.
After falling behind 1-0, the Zips (10-2-4, 4-0-2 MAC) netted the equalizer at the 72:18 mark when Jason Shokalook leveled the contest at one on the strength of his team-leading seventh of the year. Earning assists on the tally was Ashton Kamdem and Clapier.
Shokalook led Akron's efforts recording a game-high five shots apiece, while Jonas Buechte and Clapier each added a pair of shots.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.749), with an overall record of 233-65-40. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 222-71-38 (.728), Maryland, 220-69-49 (.723), North Carolina, 209-75-51 (.700) and Creighton, 205-82-37 (.690). 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.
ZIPS TABBED NO. 12 IN NCAA TOP-16 REVEAL
The NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Committee announced its top 16 ranking during a reveal on Oct. 28 and Akron was tabbed 12th in the initial tabulations. The top 16 correspond to the number of teams that are seeded in the 48-team NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship bracket.
ZIP TIDBITS
• The Zips have outscored Chicago State, 8-0 all-time.
• Wednesday's contest versus Chicago State will mark the 200th game on the Akron sidelines for Jared Embick as head coach for the Zips. Additionally, it is his 275th tilt overall as a head coach.
• Akron has scored three or more goals in eight of its 16 games this season.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in total assists (50), total goals (42) and points per outing (8.38), third in total points (134), fourth in assists per game (3.13) and scoring offense (2.62), seventh in goal differential (25), 15th in winning percentage (.750), 18th in shot accuracy (.478), 34th in corner kicks per game (6.00), 38th in shots on goal per contest (6.19), 49th in shutout percentage (.375) and team goals against average (1.06).
• Individually, Dyson Clapier is ranked 17th in the country in game-winning goals (3), 34th in toal points (20), 39th in shot accuracy (.548) and 49th in total goals (7). Additionally, GK Mitch Budler is ranked 13th in minutes played (1440:00) and 19th in shutouts (6) and Shokalook is 34th in shot accuracy (.559) and total points (20), 40th in points per game (1.33) and 49th in total goals (7).
• Fourteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including five newcomers.
• Twenty-one Zips have registered a shot this season, including eight newcomers. A year ago 19 different Akron players recorded a shot, including five newcomers.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 27-5-2 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 42-7-3 mark versus league foes at home.
• Jason Shokalook is Akron's active career leaders in goals (13), points (37), assists (13), shots (81) and shots on goal (35), while Dyson Clapier and Ryan Kingsford have scored 12 and 10 goals, respectively. Will Jackson paces the squad in shots on goal (35) and Clapier in game-winning goals (5).
• The Zips own a 123-52-24 mark over the last 10 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 123 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 91 of the squad's last 162 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 33 of its last 67 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 75-13-10 record in its last 98 home matches.
UP NEXT
Akron closes out the regular season hosting Western Michigan in a 6 p.m. match on Senior Night on Sunday, Nov. 6 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Players Mentioned
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