The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Men's Soccer Battles Niagara in Home Opener
August 23 | Men's Soccer
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AKRON, Ohio – The 22nd-rated University of Akron men's soccer team is set to commence its 2023 campaign with a pair of weekend matches at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Zips host Niagara in their home opener on Thursday (Aug. 24) before entertaining No. 12 Vermont on Monday (Aug. 28). Both matches are set to kick off at 7 p.m.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Niagara | Aug. 24 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
Akron vs. Vermont | Aug. 28 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
PARKING UPDATE
Akron fans are strongly encouraged to park in Lot 1 (Parking Garage) at the corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets off Route 8 for all Akron fall home sporting events due to construction on Exchange Street in Akron. For fans traveling using Route 8 North to campus please be advised that the Carroll Street exit off Route 8 is temporarily closed and to please allow extra time getting to campus.
HEAD COACHES
Niagara: Bill Boyle (Hartwick, 1998), Overall Record: 61-122-13 (12th Season), Record at Niagara: 32-74-11 (Eighth Season)
Vermont: Rob Dow (Maine, 2003), Overall Record: 66-32-8 (Seventh Season), Record at Vermont: 66-32-8 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 171-75-33 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 124-54-25 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick 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 a year ago. Headlining that group is 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, junior Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany), redshirt juniors Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) and Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), redshirt senior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio), senior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) and juniors Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history.
ZIPS SET TO JOIN BIG EAST
The Zips will make their Big East Conference debut this fall with an eight-game schedule that will culminate with the league's tournament running Nov. 4-12.
AKRON RECEIVES MULTIPLE PRESEASON ACCOLADES
• Dyson Clapier and Joel Sangwa were tabbed by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Preseason Best XI First Team
• Clapier was selected as a Preseason All-BIG EAST honoree
• The United Soccer Coaches honored Dyson Clapier, Will Jackson, Joel Sangwa and Jason Shokalook on its National Players to Watch lists.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
Niagara comes into play against Akron on Thursday (Aug. 24) following a 5-9-6 mark a year ago, including a 4-2-4 ledger in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Rodrigo Almeida led the Purple Eagles in goals (10), points (23), shots (54) and shots on goal (29) last season, while Josh Savoni and Jamie Barry combined to record 71 saves, a 1.43 goals against average and five shutouts in 2022.
SCOUTING VERMONT
The 12th-rated Vermont enters its season opener against Western Michigan on Thursday (Aug 24) after the Catamounts advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on the strength of a 16-4-2 record, including a 5-1-1 mark in the America East Conference a year ago. Max Murray is Vermont's returning leading scorer after directing the team in goals (10), while ranking second in assists (5), points (25), shots (40) and shots on goal (20) and third in game-winners (2). Nate Silveira made 48 saves in net for the Catamounts last season en route to posting 0.72 goals against average and 11 shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Niagara are meeting for the first time in program history. The two sides have played in exhibition contests in recent years.
Akron and Vermont are meeting for the second time in program history and first since a 0-0 draw on Sept. 4, 1987.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased now by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
AKRON, Ohio – The 22nd-rated University of Akron men's soccer team is set to commence its 2023 campaign with a pair of weekend matches at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Zips host Niagara in their home opener on Thursday (Aug. 24) before entertaining No. 12 Vermont on Monday (Aug. 28). Both matches are set to kick off at 7 p.m.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Niagara | Aug. 24 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
Akron vs. Vermont | Aug. 28 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
PARKING UPDATE
Akron fans are strongly encouraged to park in Lot 1 (Parking Garage) at the corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets off Route 8 for all Akron fall home sporting events due to construction on Exchange Street in Akron. For fans traveling using Route 8 North to campus please be advised that the Carroll Street exit off Route 8 is temporarily closed and to please allow extra time getting to campus.
HEAD COACHES
Niagara: Bill Boyle (Hartwick, 1998), Overall Record: 61-122-13 (12th Season), Record at Niagara: 32-74-11 (Eighth Season)
Vermont: Rob Dow (Maine, 2003), Overall Record: 66-32-8 (Seventh Season), Record at Vermont: 66-32-8 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 171-75-33 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 124-54-25 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick 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 a year ago. Headlining that group is 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, junior Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany), redshirt juniors Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah) and Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), redshirt senior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio), senior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) and juniors Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history.
ZIPS SET TO JOIN BIG EAST
The Zips will make their Big East Conference debut this fall with an eight-game schedule that will culminate with the league's tournament running Nov. 4-12.
AKRON RECEIVES MULTIPLE PRESEASON ACCOLADES
• Dyson Clapier and Joel Sangwa were tabbed by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Preseason Best XI First Team
• Clapier was selected as a Preseason All-BIG EAST honoree
• The United Soccer Coaches honored Dyson Clapier, Will Jackson, Joel Sangwa and Jason Shokalook on its National Players to Watch lists.
SCOUTING NIAGARA
Niagara comes into play against Akron on Thursday (Aug. 24) following a 5-9-6 mark a year ago, including a 4-2-4 ledger in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Rodrigo Almeida led the Purple Eagles in goals (10), points (23), shots (54) and shots on goal (29) last season, while Josh Savoni and Jamie Barry combined to record 71 saves, a 1.43 goals against average and five shutouts in 2022.
SCOUTING VERMONT
The 12th-rated Vermont enters its season opener against Western Michigan on Thursday (Aug 24) after the Catamounts advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament on the strength of a 16-4-2 record, including a 5-1-1 mark in the America East Conference a year ago. Max Murray is Vermont's returning leading scorer after directing the team in goals (10), while ranking second in assists (5), points (25), shots (40) and shots on goal (20) and third in game-winners (2). Nate Silveira made 48 saves in net for the Catamounts last season en route to posting 0.72 goals against average and 11 shutouts.
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Niagara are meeting for the first time in program history. The two sides have played in exhibition contests in recent years.
Akron and Vermont are meeting for the second time in program history and first since a 0-0 draw on Sept. 4, 1987.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased now by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
Players Mentioned
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. DePaul - 10/ 11/25
Sunday, October 12
2025 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