The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 28
Indianapolis, Ind.
2:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Butler
BIG EAST Championship Seeding on the Line as No. 10 Akron Battles Butler
October 27 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The 10th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team closes outs its regular season campaign traveling to Indianapolis, Ind., for a showdown against Butler on Saturday (Oct. 28). The 2 p.m. match with the Bulldogs will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Digital Network/FloSports.
GAME INFO
Akron at Butler | Oct. 28 | 2 PM | Indianapolis, Ind. | Live Stats | BIG EAST Digital Network/FloSports
HEAD COACHES
Butler: Paul Snape (Oakland, 2000), Overall Record: 104-92-39 (13th Season), Record at Butler: 104-92-39 (13th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 180-76-39 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 133-55-31 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown at Butler on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 9-1-6 on the campaign, including a 2-1-4 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 1-1 draw versus Marquette on Oct. 21.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (14), assists (5), points (31), shots (77), shots on goal (38) and game-winners (3). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) has collected 26 saves and owns a 0.80 goals against average with seven shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (8.50), second in shots on goal per contest (8.12) and shots per game (19.06), fourth in shutout percentage (.562), 10th in total assists (36) and team goals against average (.688), 12th in goal differential (20), 15th in total points (98), 16th in winning percentage (.750), 18th in total goals (31), 20th in assists per game (2.25), 23rd in points per tilt (6.12), 30th in scoring offense (1.94) and 45th in save percentage (.766).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is first in the NCAA in total goals (14) and total points (33), second in shots per outing (5.13) and in shots on goal per match (2.53), third points per tilt (2.20), fourth in goals per game (0.93) and 26th in game-winning goals (3). Mitch Budler is 16th in shutouts (7) and 26th in goals against average (0.798).
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 Johnny Fitzgerald, junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), seniors Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) and Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.), 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 BUTLER
Butler enters its match against Akron on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 2-7-5 on the season, including 1-3-3 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-0 setback versus Providence on Oct. 22.
Sophomore Palmer Ault leads the Bulldogs in goals (6), points (12), shots (44), shots on goal (17) and game-winners (1), while freshman Ryan Hannosh paces the squad in assists (3). Redshirt senior GK Caleb Norris has recorded 80 saves this season and maintains a 1. 79 goals against average with one shutout.
As a team, Butler is rated third in the NCAA in saves per game (6.00) and 41st in save percentage (.771).
Individually, Norris is rated third in the NCAA in total saves (80) and in saves per game (5.71), 40th in goalie minutes played (1,260:00) and 48th in save percentage (.762).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Butler for the third time in program history. In the last meeting between the two schools, the Bulldogs earned a 1-0 double-overtime triumph at home on Oct. 8, 2019. A year earlier, the Zips and Butler battled to a 2-2 double-overtime tie on Aug. 24, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
FINAL SEEDING ON THE LINE FOR BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP
With the final weekend of BIG EAST Conference regular season action on tap on Saturday, Oct. 28, the stage has been set for a tightly contested battle to determine the final seeding for the upcoming BIG EAST Championship, Nov. 4-12. On the strength of a 2-1-4 league mark, Akron has claimed a berth in the tournament. With a victory at Butler on Saturday (Oct. 28), the Zips will be seeded No. 2, 5, 6 or 7 depending on the outcomes of the other five league contests. An Akron victory coupled with a Xavier loss at UConn and a Creighton setback or draw at St. John's will give the Zips the No. 2 tournament seed and an outright Midwest Divisional title. Akron can also share the divisional title and be the No. 6 seed with a win and a Xavier draw and Creighton loss, while a win coupled with a Xavier draw and Creighton victory will secure the No. 7 seed for the Zips and a divisional crown. A triumph by the Zips in other scenarios is expected to result in a No. 5 seed for Akron. All tiebreakers will be broken by the league and announced following the completion of Saturday's games.
SHOKALOOK MAKING RUN AT BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Jason Shokalook has turned in an amazing run of play this season and has positioned himself as one of the leading contenders to earn Big East Player of the Year accolades. Over the last seven games for Akron he has recorded 10 of his team-leading 14 goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (10), points (21), shots (48), shots on goal (24) and game-winners (2). He delivered braces in back-to-back-to-back contests against Seton Hall (Sept. 29), Northern Kentucky (Oct. 3) and DePaul (Oct. 7) before connecting on his second career hat trick at Cleveland State (Oct. 10). He now owns seven career multi-goal affairs, including five this season.
Shokalook ranks first in the BIG EAST in goals (0.93), points (2.20) and shots (5.13) per game as well as leading the league in total goals (14), shots (77) and points (33) and rating eighth in assists (5). In league-only affairs, Shokalook leads the BIG EAST in total goals (6), points (15) and shots (39), as well as goals (0.86), points (2.14) and shots (5.57) per contest, while standing seventh in assists per tilt (0.43).
Individually, Shokalook is first in the NCAA in total goals (14) and total points (33), second in shots per outing (5.13) and in shots on goal per match (2.53), third points per tilt (2.20), fourth in goals per game (0.93) and 26th in game-winning goals (3).
AKRON NOTES
• The Zips are in search of their first ever win over Butler.
• Akron was bested 1-0 in double-overtime on Oct. 8, 2019 in the Zips lone road contest at Butler in program history.
• Akron has posted double-digit shots on goal seven times this season.
• The Zips have recorded 20 or more shots in sight games this season.
• Akron is rated 34th in the latest NCAA RPI poll, while owning a 2-0-1 mark versus top-30 teams in the rankings. The Zips bested No. 19 Florida International and No. 13 Vermont, while garnering a draw with No. 1 Notre Dame.
• Akron has posted its best record through 16 games this season since beginning the 2012 campaign with a 13-1-2 ledger.
• Jason Shokalook has recorded five multi-goal performances on the campaign, including scoring two or more goals on four straight contests versus Seton Hall, Northern Kentucky, DePaul and Cleveland State. Earlier in the season, he netted goals in the fourth and 10th minutes, respectively, in a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Florida International on Sept. 11. Shokalook previous netted a pair of goals versus the Panthers in 2022 as well as a hat trick against Bowling Green in 2021.
• Thirteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including three newcomers.
• Twenty Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
SEVEN ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus Marquette on Oct. 21 marked the final regular season home games in the careers of Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), Josh Hallenberger (San Antonio, Texas), Will Jackson, Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio), Joel Sangwa, Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) and Alejandro Varela (A Coruna, Spain).
Fitzgerald has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip recording eight goals, including three game-winners, to go along with 12 assists on 54 shots, of which 22 falling on frame.
Hallenberger has appeared in 26 career games as a Zip, recording four goals and two assists on 12 shots, including eight on goal.
Jackson has appeared in 76 career games as a Zip recording 11 goals, including six game-winners, to go along with 12 assists on 114 shots, including 46 on frame.
Paulus has appeared in 55 career games as a Zip recording five goals and six assists on 50 shots, including 19 on net.
Sangwa has started all 36 career games as a Zip recording five goals and two assists on 16 shots, of which eight have come on frame.
Tojaga has appeared in 71 career games as a Zip, including the 2018 NCAA title game, en route to recording a goal and six assists on 47 shots, including 12 on goal.
Varela has appeared in 15 games for Akron this fall, including 11 starts, he owns a goal on 13 shots, including eight on net.
GAME INFO
Akron at Butler | Oct. 28 | 2 PM | Indianapolis, Ind. | Live Stats | BIG EAST Digital Network/FloSports
HEAD COACHES
Butler: Paul Snape (Oakland, 2000), Overall Record: 104-92-39 (13th Season), Record at Butler: 104-92-39 (13th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 180-76-39 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 133-55-31 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown at Butler on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 9-1-6 on the campaign, including a 2-1-4 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 1-1 draw versus Marquette on Oct. 21.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (14), assists (5), points (31), shots (77), shots on goal (38) and game-winners (3). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) has collected 26 saves and owns a 0.80 goals against average with seven shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (8.50), second in shots on goal per contest (8.12) and shots per game (19.06), fourth in shutout percentage (.562), 10th in total assists (36) and team goals against average (.688), 12th in goal differential (20), 15th in total points (98), 16th in winning percentage (.750), 18th in total goals (31), 20th in assists per game (2.25), 23rd in points per tilt (6.12), 30th in scoring offense (1.94) and 45th in save percentage (.766).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is first in the NCAA in total goals (14) and total points (33), second in shots per outing (5.13) and in shots on goal per match (2.53), third points per tilt (2.20), fourth in goals per game (0.93) and 26th in game-winning goals (3). Mitch Budler is 16th in shutouts (7) and 26th in goals against average (0.798).
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 Johnny Fitzgerald, junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), seniors Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio) and Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.), 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 BUTLER
Butler enters its match against Akron on Saturday (Oct. 28) at 2-7-5 on the season, including 1-3-3 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-0 setback versus Providence on Oct. 22.
Sophomore Palmer Ault leads the Bulldogs in goals (6), points (12), shots (44), shots on goal (17) and game-winners (1), while freshman Ryan Hannosh paces the squad in assists (3). Redshirt senior GK Caleb Norris has recorded 80 saves this season and maintains a 1. 79 goals against average with one shutout.
As a team, Butler is rated third in the NCAA in saves per game (6.00) and 41st in save percentage (.771).
Individually, Norris is rated third in the NCAA in total saves (80) and in saves per game (5.71), 40th in goalie minutes played (1,260:00) and 48th in save percentage (.762).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Butler for the third time in program history. In the last meeting between the two schools, the Bulldogs earned a 1-0 double-overtime triumph at home on Oct. 8, 2019. A year earlier, the Zips and Butler battled to a 2-2 double-overtime tie on Aug. 24, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
FINAL SEEDING ON THE LINE FOR BIG EAST CHAMPIONSHIP
With the final weekend of BIG EAST Conference regular season action on tap on Saturday, Oct. 28, the stage has been set for a tightly contested battle to determine the final seeding for the upcoming BIG EAST Championship, Nov. 4-12. On the strength of a 2-1-4 league mark, Akron has claimed a berth in the tournament. With a victory at Butler on Saturday (Oct. 28), the Zips will be seeded No. 2, 5, 6 or 7 depending on the outcomes of the other five league contests. An Akron victory coupled with a Xavier loss at UConn and a Creighton setback or draw at St. John's will give the Zips the No. 2 tournament seed and an outright Midwest Divisional title. Akron can also share the divisional title and be the No. 6 seed with a win and a Xavier draw and Creighton loss, while a win coupled with a Xavier draw and Creighton victory will secure the No. 7 seed for the Zips and a divisional crown. A triumph by the Zips in other scenarios is expected to result in a No. 5 seed for Akron. All tiebreakers will be broken by the league and announced following the completion of Saturday's games.
SHOKALOOK MAKING RUN AT BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Jason Shokalook has turned in an amazing run of play this season and has positioned himself as one of the leading contenders to earn Big East Player of the Year accolades. Over the last seven games for Akron he has recorded 10 of his team-leading 14 goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (10), points (21), shots (48), shots on goal (24) and game-winners (2). He delivered braces in back-to-back-to-back contests against Seton Hall (Sept. 29), Northern Kentucky (Oct. 3) and DePaul (Oct. 7) before connecting on his second career hat trick at Cleveland State (Oct. 10). He now owns seven career multi-goal affairs, including five this season.
Shokalook ranks first in the BIG EAST in goals (0.93), points (2.20) and shots (5.13) per game as well as leading the league in total goals (14), shots (77) and points (33) and rating eighth in assists (5). In league-only affairs, Shokalook leads the BIG EAST in total goals (6), points (15) and shots (39), as well as goals (0.86), points (2.14) and shots (5.57) per contest, while standing seventh in assists per tilt (0.43).
Individually, Shokalook is first in the NCAA in total goals (14) and total points (33), second in shots per outing (5.13) and in shots on goal per match (2.53), third points per tilt (2.20), fourth in goals per game (0.93) and 26th in game-winning goals (3).
AKRON NOTES
• The Zips are in search of their first ever win over Butler.
• Akron was bested 1-0 in double-overtime on Oct. 8, 2019 in the Zips lone road contest at Butler in program history.
• Akron has posted double-digit shots on goal seven times this season.
• The Zips have recorded 20 or more shots in sight games this season.
• Akron is rated 34th in the latest NCAA RPI poll, while owning a 2-0-1 mark versus top-30 teams in the rankings. The Zips bested No. 19 Florida International and No. 13 Vermont, while garnering a draw with No. 1 Notre Dame.
• Akron has posted its best record through 16 games this season since beginning the 2012 campaign with a 13-1-2 ledger.
• Jason Shokalook has recorded five multi-goal performances on the campaign, including scoring two or more goals on four straight contests versus Seton Hall, Northern Kentucky, DePaul and Cleveland State. Earlier in the season, he netted goals in the fourth and 10th minutes, respectively, in a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Florida International on Sept. 11. Shokalook previous netted a pair of goals versus the Panthers in 2022 as well as a hat trick against Bowling Green in 2021.
• Thirteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including three newcomers.
• Twenty Zips have registered a shot this season, including six newcomers.
SEVEN ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus Marquette on Oct. 21 marked the final regular season home games in the careers of Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), Josh Hallenberger (San Antonio, Texas), Will Jackson, Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio), Joel Sangwa, Sam Tojaga (Erie, Pa.) and Alejandro Varela (A Coruna, Spain).
Fitzgerald has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip recording eight goals, including three game-winners, to go along with 12 assists on 54 shots, of which 22 falling on frame.
Hallenberger has appeared in 26 career games as a Zip, recording four goals and two assists on 12 shots, including eight on goal.
Jackson has appeared in 76 career games as a Zip recording 11 goals, including six game-winners, to go along with 12 assists on 114 shots, including 46 on frame.
Paulus has appeared in 55 career games as a Zip recording five goals and six assists on 50 shots, including 19 on net.
Sangwa has started all 36 career games as a Zip recording five goals and two assists on 16 shots, of which eight have come on frame.
Tojaga has appeared in 71 career games as a Zip, including the 2018 NCAA title game, en route to recording a goal and six assists on 47 shots, including 12 on goal.
Varela has appeared in 15 games for Akron this fall, including 11 starts, he owns a goal on 13 shots, including eight on net.
Players Mentioned
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