The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Captures MAC Regular Season Title Battling Western Michigan to 1-1 Draw
November 06 | Men's Soccer
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY
AKRON, Ohio – The 12th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer captured its 21st Mid-American Conference regular season title on the strength of a 1-1 draw with Western Michigan on Sunday, Nov. 6, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth will be on the line when the two teams collide in the MAC title game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Game time will be announced on Monday, Nov. 7.
Sophomore Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) connected on his team-leading ninth goal of the season only 1:29 into the match to give Akron a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) struck a free kick from outside the 18-yard box that Shokalook headed off the far post and into the net for the goal.
The Zips maintained the advantage until the 56th minute (55:37) when Jonathan Robinson hit the same goal post and saw his shot deflect into the back of the net for the equalizer for Western Michigan.
Buechte led Akron's offensive efforts registering a team-high three shots, including two on goal, while sophomore Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah), junior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.), Shokalook and senior Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) added two shots apiece.
Redshirt freshman GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) posted five saves in net for the Zips.
Prior to the contest, Akron honored seniors Renato Kauzlaric (Zagreb, Croatia), Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) and team manager Chase Landis in Senior Night ceremonies.
UP NEXT
Akron hosts Western Michigan in the MAC title game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Tickets for the 2022 Mid-American Conference title game 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.
AKRON, Ohio – The 12th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer captured its 21st Mid-American Conference regular season title on the strength of a 1-1 draw with Western Michigan on Sunday, Nov. 6, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth will be on the line when the two teams collide in the MAC title game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Game time will be announced on Monday, Nov. 7.
Sophomore Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) connected on his team-leading ninth goal of the season only 1:29 into the match to give Akron a 1-0 lead. Sophomore Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) struck a free kick from outside the 18-yard box that Shokalook headed off the far post and into the net for the goal.
The Zips maintained the advantage until the 56th minute (55:37) when Jonathan Robinson hit the same goal post and saw his shot deflect into the back of the net for the equalizer for Western Michigan.
Buechte led Akron's offensive efforts registering a team-high three shots, including two on goal, while sophomore Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah), junior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.), Shokalook and senior Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) added two shots apiece.
Redshirt freshman GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) posted five saves in net for the Zips.
Prior to the contest, Akron honored seniors Renato Kauzlaric (Zagreb, Croatia), Ryan Kingsford (Herne Bay, England) and team manager Chase Landis in Senior Night ceremonies.
UP NEXT
Akron hosts Western Michigan in the MAC title game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at FirstEnergy Stadium
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Tickets for the 2022 Mid-American Conference title game 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.
Team Stats
WMU
AKRON
Goals
1
1
Shots
18
13
Shots on Goal
6
8
Saves
7
5
Corners
3
12
Fouls
22
19
Scoring Plays

Jason Shokalook (9)
Assisted By: Jonas Buechte
Header inside 6-yd box off corner from free kick
01:29
.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Jonathan Robinson (2)
Assisted By: Eric Conerty
served from corner of post and deflects in
55:37
Game Leaders
Players
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Saint Louis - 9/23/25
Wednesday, September 24
2025 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