The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, October 3
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Northern Kentucky
Photo by: Tony Davis
No. 4 Akron Hosts Northern Kentucky
October 02 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The fourth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team continues its three-game homestand welcoming Northern Kentucky to FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at 7 p.m.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Northern Kentucky | Oct. 3 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
HEAD COACHES
Northern Kentucky: Tom Poitras (Southern Connecticut State, 1992), Overall Record: 275-202-79 (30th Season), Record at Northern Kentucky: 6-16-5 (Second Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 177-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 130-54-29 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Northern Kentucky on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at 6-0-4 on the campaign, including a 1-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 3-1 victory over Seton Hall on Sept. 29.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (34) and shots on goal (18). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) paces the squad in game-winners (2). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and redshirt freshman Seth Wilson (Frisco, Texas) have combined to collect 21 saves and own a 0.70 goals against average with five shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (7.80), third in shots per game (18.80), fourth in corner kicks (7.60), 10th in goal differential (13) and in winning percentage (.800), 13th in team goals against average (.700), 14th in shutout percentage (.500), 20th in total goals (20), 22nd in total assists (21), 24th in total points (61), 27th in scoring offense (2.00), 29th in assists per game (2.10) and 33rd in points per tilt (6.10).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is seventh in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.00), 13th in shots per outing (3.78), 15th in points per tilt (1.78), 17th in total points (16), 34th in total goals (6), 38th in goals per game (0.67) and 48th in total assists (4), while Josef Paulus is rated 27th in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 34th in goals against average (0.857) and 35th in shutouts (3).
Overall, Akron returns 11 starters in 2023 from a squad that registered a 11-4-5 overall record, including a 5-0-3 ledger in league play. Headlining that group is 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, juniors Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) and redshirt junior Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), redshirt senior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio), senior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Shokalook and junior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history.
SCOUTING NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Northern Kentucky enters its match at Akron on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at 2-5-3 on the season, including 1-3-0 in the Horizon League, following a 2-1 setback at Cleveland State on Sept. 30.
Senior Sam Robinson leads the Norse in goals (5), points (10), shots (30) and shots on goal (16). Redshirt sophomore GK Nic Lemen has recorded 35 saves this season and maintains a 1.29 goals against average with two shutouts.
As a team, Northern Kentucky is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000) and 58th in saves per game (3.80).
Individually, Robinson is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 30th in shots on goal per contest (1.60) and 36th in shots per tilt (3.00), while Lemen is 41st in saves per match (3.89).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Kentucky are meeting for the second time in program history with the Zips leading the all-time series 1-0-0. In the lone encounter between the two schools, Akron earned a 5-1 decision over the Norse on Sept. 12, 1987.
SHOKALOOK NAMED BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Shokalook was recognized by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Oct. 2.
Shokalook turned in another stellar performance for the Zips with a two-goal effort in a 3-1 win over Seton Hall on Sept. 29. It represented his second brace of the season and fourth of his career.
Shokalook netted his fifth goal of the year on a back-heel kick in front of the net in the 32nd minute off assists from Dyson Clapier and Malik Henry to give the Zips a 1-0 lead. He then capped the scoring with a half bicycle kick tally in the 85th minute inside the six for his sixth goal of the season off an assist from junior Gyuwon Chong (Kansas City, Mo.). Shokalook finished the contest with a game-high five shots, including four on goal.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Northern Kentucky | Oct. 3 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
HEAD COACHES
Northern Kentucky: Tom Poitras (Southern Connecticut State, 1992), Overall Record: 275-202-79 (30th Season), Record at Northern Kentucky: 6-16-5 (Second Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 177-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 130-54-29 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Northern Kentucky on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at 6-0-4 on the campaign, including a 1-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 3-1 victory over Seton Hall on Sept. 29.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (34) and shots on goal (18). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) paces the squad in game-winners (2). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and redshirt freshman Seth Wilson (Frisco, Texas) have combined to collect 21 saves and own a 0.70 goals against average with five shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (7.80), third in shots per game (18.80), fourth in corner kicks (7.60), 10th in goal differential (13) and in winning percentage (.800), 13th in team goals against average (.700), 14th in shutout percentage (.500), 20th in total goals (20), 22nd in total assists (21), 24th in total points (61), 27th in scoring offense (2.00), 29th in assists per game (2.10) and 33rd in points per tilt (6.10).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is seventh in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.00), 13th in shots per outing (3.78), 15th in points per tilt (1.78), 17th in total points (16), 34th in total goals (6), 38th in goals per game (0.67) and 48th in total assists (4), while Josef Paulus is rated 27th in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 34th in goals against average (0.857) and 35th in shutouts (3).
Overall, Akron returns 11 starters in 2023 from a squad that registered a 11-4-5 overall record, including a 5-0-3 ledger in league play. Headlining that group is 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, juniors Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) and redshirt junior Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), redshirt senior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio), senior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Shokalook and junior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history.
SCOUTING NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Northern Kentucky enters its match at Akron on Tuesday (Oct. 3) at 2-5-3 on the season, including 1-3-0 in the Horizon League, following a 2-1 setback at Cleveland State on Sept. 30.
Senior Sam Robinson leads the Norse in goals (5), points (10), shots (30) and shots on goal (16). Redshirt sophomore GK Nic Lemen has recorded 35 saves this season and maintains a 1.29 goals against average with two shutouts.
As a team, Northern Kentucky is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000) and 58th in saves per game (3.80).
Individually, Robinson is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 30th in shots on goal per contest (1.60) and 36th in shots per tilt (3.00), while Lemen is 41st in saves per match (3.89).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Kentucky are meeting for the second time in program history with the Zips leading the all-time series 1-0-0. In the lone encounter between the two schools, Akron earned a 5-1 decision over the Norse on Sept. 12, 1987.
SHOKALOOK NAMED BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Shokalook was recognized by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Oct. 2.
Shokalook turned in another stellar performance for the Zips with a two-goal effort in a 3-1 win over Seton Hall on Sept. 29. It represented his second brace of the season and fourth of his career.
Shokalook netted his fifth goal of the year on a back-heel kick in front of the net in the 32nd minute off assists from Dyson Clapier and Malik Henry to give the Zips a 1-0 lead. He then capped the scoring with a half bicycle kick tally in the 85th minute inside the six for his sixth goal of the season off an assist from junior Gyuwon Chong (Kansas City, Mo.). Shokalook finished the contest with a game-high five shots, including four on goal.
Players Mentioned
GK
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D
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MF
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MF
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MF
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MF/F
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F
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MF
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D
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F
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MF
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GK
/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Cleveland State - 9/1/2025
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