The University of Akron Athletics
Monday, September 5
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Michigan State
Zips Close Homestand Battling Michigan State
September 04 | Men's Soccer
DIGITAL TICKETING INFORMATION | CLEAR BAG POLICY
No. 14 Akron (3-0-0) vs. Michigan State (1-2-0)
Monday, Sept. 5
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 31-13-12
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
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 14th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team continues its home campaign on Monday, Sept. 5, as the Zips welcome Michigan State to FirstEnergy Stadium. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Spartans will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Dave Bacon and Chad Welker calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Michigan State: Damon Rensing (Michigan State, 1997), Overall Record: 131-96-35 (14th Season), Record at MSU: 131-96-35 (14th Season)  Â
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 163-71-28 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 116-50-20 (10th Season)
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State enters action on Monday, Sept. 5, following a 1-0 setback versus Western Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 1. A season ago, the Spartans posted a 6-9-2 record, including a 2-4-2 ledger in the Big Ten Conference.
Four different Michigan State players have recorded goals this fall, while junior Greyson Mercer paces the squad in shots (4), while freshman Jake Spadafora and sophomore Efosa Emovon own a team-best two shots on goal each. Senior goalkeeper Owen Finnerty has started all three contests for the Spartans and has posted nine saves and a 1.67 goals against average.
As a team, Michigan State is ranked 21st in the NCAA in total assists (6), 45th in assists per game (2.00) and 46th in total points (14). Individually, Finnerty is rated first in goalie minutes played (270:00) and 39th in total saves (9).
The contest will be a reunion of sorts for Spartan assistant coach TJ Kolba, who served as an assistant coach at Akron under head coach Jared Embick from 2015-19.
AKRON VERSUS THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big Ten Conference for the first time this season and 195th time overall. A year ago, Akron bested Michigan State, 2-1, on Aug. 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Mich., before battling No. 3 Indiana to a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Sept. 10, 2021, falling 1-0 at Ohio State on Sept. 15, 2021, besting Penn State, 2-1, on Oct. 13, 2021, and earning a 0-0 double-overtime draw with Michigan on Oct. 18, 2021.
• Akron owns a 106-69-19 (.595) all-time record versus the current 14 members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Zips have gone 24-6-6 against the league since 2012.
• In all, Akron is 41-11-9 (.750) versus teams from the Big Ten since 2007. During that time, the Zips have out-scored the competition, 114-50.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (AUG. 30, 2021 - EAST LANSING, MICH.)
Akron sophomore Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) capped a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Michigan State on Aug. 30, 2021, scoring the game-winning goal for the Zips with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.
The tally was the second in as many games for Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal, who fired a laser to the back of the net from 15 yards out off an assist from Diogo Pacheco, his second assist of the night.
The triumph was the Akron's second consecutive 2-1 victory on the Spartans' home pitch at DeMartin Stadium and served as the fifth straight win overall past Michigan State.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.751), with an overall record of 226-63-36. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 211-67-38 (.728), Maryland, 212-68-45 (.722), North Carolina, 204-71-46 (.707) and Creighton, 201-81-31 (.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 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.
Â
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Since the series between Akron and Michigan State resumed in 2009, following a 26-year gap between games, the two sides have met every year since with the exception of the 2021 spring campaign, with the Zips owning a 9-3-1 mark in those contests.
• Nine of the 13 matches between Akron and Michigan State since 2009 have been decided by a goal or less, with the Zips going 4-1-1 at FirstEnergy Stadium, outscoring the Spartans, 12-4.
• Akron has scored three or more goals in each game this season marking the first three-game stretch netting three or more tallies since posting four straight in the 2018 season (3-1 at West Virginia, 3-0 vs. Western Michigan, 3-1 vs. Rider and 3-1 at Syracuse).
• Ten different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Fourteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including a pair of newcomers. A year ago 19 different Akron players recorded a shot, including five newcomers.
• Jason Shokalook is Akron's active career leader in goals (7) and points (22), while Dyson Clapier and Ryan Kingsford have each scored seven goals. Junior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) paces the squad in shots (70) and shots on goal (33) and Clapier in game-winning goals (4). Jason Shokalook leads the Zips in assists (8).
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Bloomington, Ind., to battle Indiana in an 8 p.m. showdown on Friday, Sept. 9.
No. 14 Akron (3-0-0) vs. Michigan State (1-2-0)
Monday, Sept. 5
FirstEnergy Stadium
Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m.
Series History: Akron leads 31-13-12
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
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 14th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team continues its home campaign on Monday, Sept. 5, as the Zips welcome Michigan State to FirstEnergy Stadium. The 7 p.m. tilt with the Spartans will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Dave Bacon and Chad Welker calling the action.
HEAD COACHES
Michigan State: Damon Rensing (Michigan State, 1997), Overall Record: 131-96-35 (14th Season), Record at MSU: 131-96-35 (14th Season)  Â
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 163-71-28 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 116-50-20 (10th Season)
SCOUTING MICHIGAN STATE
Michigan State enters action on Monday, Sept. 5, following a 1-0 setback versus Western Michigan on Thursday, Sept. 1. A season ago, the Spartans posted a 6-9-2 record, including a 2-4-2 ledger in the Big Ten Conference.
Four different Michigan State players have recorded goals this fall, while junior Greyson Mercer paces the squad in shots (4), while freshman Jake Spadafora and sophomore Efosa Emovon own a team-best two shots on goal each. Senior goalkeeper Owen Finnerty has started all three contests for the Spartans and has posted nine saves and a 1.67 goals against average.
As a team, Michigan State is ranked 21st in the NCAA in total assists (6), 45th in assists per game (2.00) and 46th in total points (14). Individually, Finnerty is rated first in goalie minutes played (270:00) and 39th in total saves (9).
The contest will be a reunion of sorts for Spartan assistant coach TJ Kolba, who served as an assistant coach at Akron under head coach Jared Embick from 2015-19.
AKRON VERSUS THE BIG TEN CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Big Ten Conference for the first time this season and 195th time overall. A year ago, Akron bested Michigan State, 2-1, on Aug. 30, 2021 in East Lansing, Mich., before battling No. 3 Indiana to a 1-1 double-overtime draw on Sept. 10, 2021, falling 1-0 at Ohio State on Sept. 15, 2021, besting Penn State, 2-1, on Oct. 13, 2021, and earning a 0-0 double-overtime draw with Michigan on Oct. 18, 2021.
• Akron owns a 106-69-19 (.595) all-time record versus the current 14 members of the Big Ten Conference.
• The Zips have gone 24-6-6 against the league since 2012.
• In all, Akron is 41-11-9 (.750) versus teams from the Big Ten since 2007. During that time, the Zips have out-scored the competition, 114-50.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (AUG. 30, 2021 - EAST LANSING, MICH.)
Akron sophomore Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) capped a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Michigan State on Aug. 30, 2021, scoring the game-winning goal for the Zips with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.
The tally was the second in as many games for Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal, who fired a laser to the back of the net from 15 yards out off an assist from Diogo Pacheco, his second assist of the night.
The triumph was the Akron's second consecutive 2-1 victory on the Spartans' home pitch at DeMartin Stadium and served as the fifth straight win overall past Michigan State.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.751), with an overall record of 226-63-36. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 211-67-38 (.728), Maryland, 212-68-45 (.722), North Carolina, 204-71-46 (.707) and Creighton, 201-81-31 (.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 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.
Â
ZIPS TIDBITS
• Since the series between Akron and Michigan State resumed in 2009, following a 26-year gap between games, the two sides have met every year since with the exception of the 2021 spring campaign, with the Zips owning a 9-3-1 mark in those contests.
• Nine of the 13 matches between Akron and Michigan State since 2009 have been decided by a goal or less, with the Zips going 4-1-1 at FirstEnergy Stadium, outscoring the Spartans, 12-4.
• Akron has scored three or more goals in each game this season marking the first three-game stretch netting three or more tallies since posting four straight in the 2018 season (3-1 at West Virginia, 3-0 vs. Western Michigan, 3-1 vs. Rider and 3-1 at Syracuse).
• Ten different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Fourteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including a pair of newcomers. A year ago 19 different Akron players recorded a shot, including five newcomers.
• Jason Shokalook is Akron's active career leader in goals (7) and points (22), while Dyson Clapier and Ryan Kingsford have each scored seven goals. Junior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) paces the squad in shots (70) and shots on goal (33) and Clapier in game-winning goals (4). Jason Shokalook leads the Zips in assists (8).
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Bloomington, Ind., to battle Indiana in an 8 p.m. showdown on Friday, Sept. 9.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. St. John's - 10/3/25
Saturday, October 04
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
