The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 7
Akron, Ohio
12:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
DePaul
Photo by: Tony Davis
Akron Closes Homestand Hosting DePaul
October 06 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The fourth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team concludes its three-game homestand welcoming DePaul to FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 7) at 12 p.m.
PARKING UPDATE
Due to Akron hosting Northern Illinois in football on Saturday (Oct. 7), fans coming to the men's soccer match between the Zips at DePaul at noon are asked to park in Lot 36 (Exchange Deck). Parking in this deck will be FREE until 12 p.m. They will begin charging in this lot after 12 p.m. All other lots will be under Football Game Day parking procedures and fees.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. DePaul | Oct. 7 | 12 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | BIG EAST Digital Network/FloSports
HEAD COACHES
DePaul: Mark Plotkin (DePaul, 2010), Overall Record: 25-42-20 (Sixth Season), Record at DePaul: 25-42-20 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 178-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 131-54-29 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 7) at 7-0-4 on the campaign, including a 1-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 2-0 victory over Northern Kentucky on Oct. 3.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (8), assists (4), points (20), shots (43) and shots on goal (25). 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 23 saves and own a 0.64 goals against average with five shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (8.00) and in corner kicks (8.00), second in shots per game (19.36), sixth in goal differential (15), eighth in winning percentage (.818) ninth in shutout percentage (.500), 10th in team goals against average (.636), 12th in total points (69), 13th in total assists (25), 15th in total goals (22), 19th in assists per game (2.27), 22nd in points per tilt (6.27), 24th in scoring offense (2.00) and 38th in save percentage (.774).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is second in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.50), fifth in total points (20), seventh in shots per outing (4.30) and in points per tilt (2.00), eighth in total goals (8), 13th in goals per game (0.80) and 32nd in game-winning goals (2), while Josef Paulus is rated 32nd in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 19th in shutouts (4) 26th in goals against average (0.750).
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 DEPAUL
DePaul enters its match at Akron on Saturday (Oct. 7) at 2-6-2 on the season, including 0-3-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-1 win versus UIC on Oct. 4.
Freshman Noeh Hernandez leads the Blue Demons in goals (2), points (5), shots (20) and shots on goal (8), while senior Marek Gonda paces the squad in assists (3). Junior GK Ghandhi Cruz has recorded 53 saves this season and maintains a 1.90 goals against average with a pair of shutouts.
As a team, DePaul is rated eighth in the NCAA in saves per game (5.40).
Individually, Cruz is rated fifth in the NCAA in total saves (53), seventh in saves per contest (5.30) and 29th in goalie minutes played (900:00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and DePaul are meeting for the first time in program history.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron is one of nine unbeaten teams in NCAA D1 play this season joining Marshall (10-0), Northwestern (8-0-3), West Virginia (8-0-3), SIU Edwardsville (7-0-3), Michigan State (5-0-4), North Carolina (5-0-4), Old Dominion (5-0-5) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (3-0-5).
• Akron is rated 15th in the latest NCAA RPI poll, while owning a 2-0-1 mark versus top-30 teams in the rankings. The Zips bested No. 10 Vermont and No. 28 Florida International, while garnering a draw with No. 6 Notre Dame
• Akron has posted its best record through 11 games this season since beginning the 2010 campaign with a 10-0-1 ledger.
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.
PARKING UPDATE
Due to Akron hosting Northern Illinois in football on Saturday (Oct. 7), fans coming to the men's soccer match between the Zips at DePaul at noon are asked to park in Lot 36 (Exchange Deck). Parking in this deck will be FREE until 12 p.m. They will begin charging in this lot after 12 p.m. All other lots will be under Football Game Day parking procedures and fees.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. DePaul | Oct. 7 | 12 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | BIG EAST Digital Network/FloSports
HEAD COACHES
DePaul: Mark Plotkin (DePaul, 2010), Overall Record: 25-42-20 (Sixth Season), Record at DePaul: 25-42-20 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 178-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 131-54-29 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 7) at 7-0-4 on the campaign, including a 1-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 2-0 victory over Northern Kentucky on Oct. 3.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (8), assists (4), points (20), shots (43) and shots on goal (25). 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 23 saves and own a 0.64 goals against average with five shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (8.00) and in corner kicks (8.00), second in shots per game (19.36), sixth in goal differential (15), eighth in winning percentage (.818) ninth in shutout percentage (.500), 10th in team goals against average (.636), 12th in total points (69), 13th in total assists (25), 15th in total goals (22), 19th in assists per game (2.27), 22nd in points per tilt (6.27), 24th in scoring offense (2.00) and 38th in save percentage (.774).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is second in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.50), fifth in total points (20), seventh in shots per outing (4.30) and in points per tilt (2.00), eighth in total goals (8), 13th in goals per game (0.80) and 32nd in game-winning goals (2), while Josef Paulus is rated 32nd in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 19th in shutouts (4) 26th in goals against average (0.750).
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 DEPAUL
DePaul enters its match at Akron on Saturday (Oct. 7) at 2-6-2 on the season, including 0-3-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-1 win versus UIC on Oct. 4.
Freshman Noeh Hernandez leads the Blue Demons in goals (2), points (5), shots (20) and shots on goal (8), while senior Marek Gonda paces the squad in assists (3). Junior GK Ghandhi Cruz has recorded 53 saves this season and maintains a 1.90 goals against average with a pair of shutouts.
As a team, DePaul is rated eighth in the NCAA in saves per game (5.40).
Individually, Cruz is rated fifth in the NCAA in total saves (53), seventh in saves per contest (5.30) and 29th in goalie minutes played (900:00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and DePaul are meeting for the first time in program history.
AKRON NOTES
• Akron is one of nine unbeaten teams in NCAA D1 play this season joining Marshall (10-0), Northwestern (8-0-3), West Virginia (8-0-3), SIU Edwardsville (7-0-3), Michigan State (5-0-4), North Carolina (5-0-4), Old Dominion (5-0-5) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (3-0-5).
• Akron is rated 15th in the latest NCAA RPI poll, while owning a 2-0-1 mark versus top-30 teams in the rankings. The Zips bested No. 10 Vermont and No. 28 Florida International, while garnering a draw with No. 6 Notre Dame
• Akron has posted its best record through 11 games this season since beginning the 2010 campaign with a 10-0-1 ledger.
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
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MF
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