The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, October 10
Cleveland, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
at
Cleveland State
Akron Renews Rivalry with Cleveland State
October 09 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The fourth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team opens a three-game road trip with a rivalry showdown at Cleveland State on Tuesday (Oct. 10). The 7 p.m. tilt with the Vikings will be broadcast on ESPN+.
GAME INFO
Akron at Cleveland State | Oct. 10 | 7 PM | Krenzler Field | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Cleveland State: Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Akron, 2006), Overall Record: 35-30-8 (Fifth Season), Record at Cleveland State: 35-30-8 (Fifth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 179-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 132-54-29 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Cleveland State on Tuesday (Oct. 10) at 8-0-4 on the campaign, including a 2-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 3-0 victory over DePaul on Oct. 7.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (10), assists (4), points (24), shots (52), shots on goal (27) and game-winners (2). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) also 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 25 saves and own a 0.58 goals against average with six shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (8.33) and in corner kicks (7.92), second in shots per game (19.75), fifth in goal differential (18), winning percentage (.833) and in shutout percentage (.583), sixth in team goals against average (.583) and total assists (29), seventh in total points (79), 11th in total goals (25), 14th in assists per game (2.42), 16th in points per tilt (6.58), 22nd in scoring offense (2.08) and 31st in save percentage (.788).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is second in the NCAA in shots per outing (4.73), shots on goal per match (2.45) and total points (29), third in in total goals (10) and goals per game (0.91), fourth in points per tilt (2.18) and 41st in game-winning goals (2), while Josef Paulus is rated 41st in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 13th in shutouts (5) and 15th in goals against average (0.667).
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 CLEVELAND STATE
Cleveland State enters its match at Akron on Tuesday (Oct. 10) at 3-6-2 on the season, including 2-2-1 in the Horizon League, following a 1-0 victory at IUPUI on Oct. 7.
Senior Pablo Kawecki leads the Vikings in goals (5), assists (3), points (13), shots (33), shots on goal (18) and game-winners (1). Senior GK Omeed Naeemy and freshman GK Stephen Yerian have combined to record 40 saves this season and maintain a 2.14 goals against average with one shutout.
As a team, Cleveland State is rated 33rd in the NCAA in saves per game (4.18).
Individually, Kawecki is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 22nd in shots on goal per tilt (1.64) and 37th in shots per game (3.00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Cleveland State are meeting for the 56th time in program history with the Zips owning a 41-11-3 series advantage, including winning 20 of the last 22 overall. In the previous encounter between the two schools, the Zips recorded a 4-0 triumph over the Vikings on Oct. 25, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
AKRON NOTES
• Five of the nine matches between Akron and Cleveland State with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including five of the last seven, with the Zips owning a 7-2-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Cleveland State, 49-35, in 24 road games against the Vikings.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 37 all-time meetings with Cleveland State.
• Twenty-six of the matches between the Zips and Vikings have resulted in a shutout with Akron owning a 21-3-2 mark in those contests.
• Akron has posted double-digit shots on goal in three straight games and six times this season.
• The Zips have recorded 20 or more shots in seven games this season, including in three straight matches.
• Akron is one of seven unbeaten teams in NCAA D1 play this season joining Marshall (11-0), Northwestern (9-0-3), West Virginia (8-0-4), SIU Edwardsville (8-0-3), Michigan State (6-0-4) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (4-0-5).
• Akron is rated 23rd in the latest NCAA RPI poll, while owning a 2-0-1 mark versus top-30 teams in the rankings. The Zips bested No. 15 Vermont and No. 19 Florida International, while garnering a draw with No. 5 Notre Dame.
SHOKALOOK NAMED NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) was honored by College Soccer News as its National Player of the Week it was announced on Monday, Oct. 9.
Additionally, the BIG EAST Conference honored Shokalook as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario) were selected to the BIG EAST Men's Soccer Honor Roll.
Shokalook continued his dominating run of play last week registering four goals in victories over Northern Kentucky and DePaul to extend the Zips' winning streak to three. He finished the week recording a team-high 18 shots, including nine on goal and tallied two goals against both squads and has now posted a brace in three consecutive matches.
On the season, Shokalook owns team-high marks in goals (10), assists (4), points (24), shots (52), shots on goal (27) and game-winners (2).
GAME INFO
Akron at Cleveland State | Oct. 10 | 7 PM | Krenzler Field | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Cleveland State: Sinisa Ubiparipovic (Akron, 2006), Overall Record: 35-30-8 (Fifth Season), Record at Cleveland State: 35-30-8 (Fifth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 179-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 132-54-29 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Cleveland State on Tuesday (Oct. 10) at 8-0-4 on the campaign, including a 2-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 3-0 victory over DePaul on Oct. 7.
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (10), assists (4), points (24), shots (52), shots on goal (27) and game-winners (2). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) also 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 25 saves and own a 0.58 goals against average with six shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in shots on goal per contest (8.33) and in corner kicks (7.92), second in shots per game (19.75), fifth in goal differential (18), winning percentage (.833) and in shutout percentage (.583), sixth in team goals against average (.583) and total assists (29), seventh in total points (79), 11th in total goals (25), 14th in assists per game (2.42), 16th in points per tilt (6.58), 22nd in scoring offense (2.08) and 31st in save percentage (.788).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is second in the NCAA in shots per outing (4.73), shots on goal per match (2.45) and total points (29), third in in total goals (10) and goals per game (0.91), fourth in points per tilt (2.18) and 41st in game-winning goals (2), while Josef Paulus is rated 41st in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 13th in shutouts (5) and 15th in goals against average (0.667).
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 CLEVELAND STATE
Cleveland State enters its match at Akron on Tuesday (Oct. 10) at 3-6-2 on the season, including 2-2-1 in the Horizon League, following a 1-0 victory at IUPUI on Oct. 7.
Senior Pablo Kawecki leads the Vikings in goals (5), assists (3), points (13), shots (33), shots on goal (18) and game-winners (1). Senior GK Omeed Naeemy and freshman GK Stephen Yerian have combined to record 40 saves this season and maintain a 2.14 goals against average with one shutout.
As a team, Cleveland State is rated 33rd in the NCAA in saves per game (4.18).
Individually, Kawecki is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 22nd in shots on goal per tilt (1.64) and 37th in shots per game (3.00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Cleveland State are meeting for the 56th time in program history with the Zips owning a 41-11-3 series advantage, including winning 20 of the last 22 overall. In the previous encounter between the two schools, the Zips recorded a 4-0 triumph over the Vikings on Oct. 25, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
AKRON NOTES
• Five of the nine matches between Akron and Cleveland State with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including five of the last seven, with the Zips owning a 7-2-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Cleveland State, 49-35, in 24 road games against the Vikings.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 37 all-time meetings with Cleveland State.
• Twenty-six of the matches between the Zips and Vikings have resulted in a shutout with Akron owning a 21-3-2 mark in those contests.
• Akron has posted double-digit shots on goal in three straight games and six times this season.
• The Zips have recorded 20 or more shots in seven games this season, including in three straight matches.
• Akron is one of seven unbeaten teams in NCAA D1 play this season joining Marshall (11-0), Northwestern (9-0-3), West Virginia (8-0-4), SIU Edwardsville (8-0-3), Michigan State (6-0-4) and Saint Francis (Pa.) (4-0-5).
• Akron is rated 23rd in the latest NCAA RPI poll, while owning a 2-0-1 mark versus top-30 teams in the rankings. The Zips bested No. 15 Vermont and No. 19 Florida International, while garnering a draw with No. 5 Notre Dame.
SHOKALOOK NAMED NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) was honored by College Soccer News as its National Player of the Week it was announced on Monday, Oct. 9.
Additionally, the BIG EAST Conference honored Shokalook as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, while redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario) were selected to the BIG EAST Men's Soccer Honor Roll.
Shokalook continued his dominating run of play last week registering four goals in victories over Northern Kentucky and DePaul to extend the Zips' winning streak to three. He finished the week recording a team-high 18 shots, including nine on goal and tallied two goals against both squads and has now posted a brace in three consecutive matches.
On the season, Shokalook owns team-high marks in goals (10), assists (4), points (24), shots (52), shots on goal (27) and game-winners (2).
Players Mentioned
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