The University of Akron Athletics

Photo by: Tony Davis
No. 2 Akron Battles No. 10 Notre Dame
September 18 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The second-rated University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes No. 10 Notre Dame to FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday (Sept. 19) for a 7 p.m. tilt.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Notre Dame | Sept. 19 | 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
Notre Dame: Chad Riley (Chad Riley, 2004), Overall Record: 106-63-27 (11th Season), Record at Notre Dame: 55-37-13 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 176-75-34 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 129-54-26 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown against Notre Dame on Tuesday (Sept. 19) at 5-0-2 on the campaign following a 3-3 draw versus Providence on Friday (Sept. 15).
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (4), assists (3), points (11) and shots on goal (9). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) paces the squad in game-winners (2). Additionally, junior Gyuwon Chong (Kansas City, Mo.) leads the team in shots (20). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and redshirt freshman Seth Wilson (Frisco, Texas) have combined to collect 19 saves and own a 0.71 goals against average with four shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000) and in shots per game (18.00), fifth in goal differential (11), sixth in total goals (16), eighth in winning percentage (.857), 11th in scoring offense (2.29), 12th in shutout percentage (.571), 13th in total points (48), 16th in points per tilt (6.86) and in shots on goal per contest (6.86), 17th in total assists (16) and in corner kicks (6.57), 21st in team goals against average (0.714), 23rd in assists per game (2.29) and 37th in save percentage (.800).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is first in penalty kicks (1.000), 20th in total points (11), 22nd in points per tilt (1.83), 29th in total goals (4), 32nd in shots per outing (3.17), 33rd in total assists (3), 38th in goals per contest (0.67) and 45th in assists per game (0.50) and shots on goal per match (1.50), while Josef Paulus is rated eighth in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 37th in shutouts (2), 50th in goals against average (1.00), while Seth Wilson is 37th in shutouts (2).
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), 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 NOTRE DAME
Notre Dame enters its match versus Akron on Tuesday (Sept. 19) at 4-1-2 on the season following a 1-1 draw at North Carolina on Friday (Sept. 15).
Junior Matthew Roou leads the Fighting Irish in goals (5), points (11), shots on goal (9) and game-winners (2), while junior Eno Nto paces the squad in shots (19). Senior GK Bryan Dowd has recorded 17 saves this season and maintains a 0.71 goals against average with three shutouts.
As a team, Notre Dame is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 14th in corner kicks (6.71), 20th in goal differential (7), 21st in team goals against average (.714), 32nd in shutout percentage (.429), 33rd in winning percentage (.714) and 46th in shots per game (13.71) and in total goals (12).
Individually, Roou is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), eighth in game-winning goals (2), 17th in total goals (5), 20th in total points (11), 32nd in goals per game (0.71), 38th in points per game (1.57) and 47th in shot accuracy (.562). Additionally, Dowd is rated fourth in goalie minutes played (630:00), 11th in shutouts (3) and 25th in goals against average (.714).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Notre Dame are meeting for the 15th time in program history with the Zips owning a 8-3-3 series advantage. In the last encounter between the two schools, Akron earned a 2-0 decision over the eighth-rated Fighting Irish on Oct. 17, 2017.
SHOKALOOK NAMED BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Shokalook added was honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Sept. 18.
Shokalook turned in a stellar week for Akron registering team-high marks in goals (3), assists (1), points (7), shots (8), shots on goal (5) and game-winners (1) en route to leading the Zips to a 1-0-1 mark, including a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Florida International on Sept. 11.
AKRON-NOTRE DAME NOTES
• Seven of the 14 matches between Akron and Notre Dame have resulted in a shutout with the Zips owning a 4-1-2 mark in those contests.
• Akron maintains a 5-1-0 mark in its six home encounters with the Fighting Irish. The Zips have outscored Notre Dame, 17-5, all-time at home.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in seven all-time meetings with Notre Dame.
• Akron has posted its best record through seven games this season since beginning the 2012 campaign with an identical 5-0-2 ledger.
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.).
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Notre Dame | Sept. 19 | 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
Notre Dame: Chad Riley (Chad Riley, 2004), Overall Record: 106-63-27 (11th Season), Record at Notre Dame: 55-37-13 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 176-75-34 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 129-54-26 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown against Notre Dame on Tuesday (Sept. 19) at 5-0-2 on the campaign following a 3-3 draw versus Providence on Friday (Sept. 15).
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (4), assists (3), points (11) and shots on goal (9). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) paces the squad in game-winners (2). Additionally, junior Gyuwon Chong (Kansas City, Mo.) leads the team in shots (20). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and redshirt freshman Seth Wilson (Frisco, Texas) have combined to collect 19 saves and own a 0.71 goals against average with four shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000) and in shots per game (18.00), fifth in goal differential (11), sixth in total goals (16), eighth in winning percentage (.857), 11th in scoring offense (2.29), 12th in shutout percentage (.571), 13th in total points (48), 16th in points per tilt (6.86) and in shots on goal per contest (6.86), 17th in total assists (16) and in corner kicks (6.57), 21st in team goals against average (0.714), 23rd in assists per game (2.29) and 37th in save percentage (.800).
Individually, Jason Shokalook is first in penalty kicks (1.000), 20th in total points (11), 22nd in points per tilt (1.83), 29th in total goals (4), 32nd in shots per outing (3.17), 33rd in total assists (3), 38th in goals per contest (0.67) and 45th in assists per game (0.50) and shots on goal per match (1.50), while Josef Paulus is rated eighth in the country in game-winning goals (2). Mitch Budler is 37th in shutouts (2), 50th in goals against average (1.00), while Seth Wilson is 37th in shutouts (2).
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), 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 NOTRE DAME
Notre Dame enters its match versus Akron on Tuesday (Sept. 19) at 4-1-2 on the season following a 1-1 draw at North Carolina on Friday (Sept. 15).
Junior Matthew Roou leads the Fighting Irish in goals (5), points (11), shots on goal (9) and game-winners (2), while junior Eno Nto paces the squad in shots (19). Senior GK Bryan Dowd has recorded 17 saves this season and maintains a 0.71 goals against average with three shutouts.
As a team, Notre Dame is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 14th in corner kicks (6.71), 20th in goal differential (7), 21st in team goals against average (.714), 32nd in shutout percentage (.429), 33rd in winning percentage (.714) and 46th in shots per game (13.71) and in total goals (12).
Individually, Roou is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), eighth in game-winning goals (2), 17th in total goals (5), 20th in total points (11), 32nd in goals per game (0.71), 38th in points per game (1.57) and 47th in shot accuracy (.562). Additionally, Dowd is rated fourth in goalie minutes played (630:00), 11th in shutouts (3) and 25th in goals against average (.714).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Notre Dame are meeting for the 15th time in program history with the Zips owning a 8-3-3 series advantage. In the last encounter between the two schools, Akron earned a 2-0 decision over the eighth-rated Fighting Irish on Oct. 17, 2017.
SHOKALOOK NAMED BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jason Shokalook added was honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Sept. 18.
Shokalook turned in a stellar week for Akron registering team-high marks in goals (3), assists (1), points (7), shots (8), shots on goal (5) and game-winners (1) en route to leading the Zips to a 1-0-1 mark, including a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Florida International on Sept. 11.
AKRON-NOTRE DAME NOTES
• Seven of the 14 matches between Akron and Notre Dame have resulted in a shutout with the Zips owning a 4-1-2 mark in those contests.
• Akron maintains a 5-1-0 mark in its six home encounters with the Fighting Irish. The Zips have outscored Notre Dame, 17-5, all-time at home.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in seven all-time meetings with Notre Dame.
• Akron has posted its best record through seven games this season since beginning the 2012 campaign with an identical 5-0-2 ledger.
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
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2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Season Preview with Student-Athletes - 8/19/25
Tuesday, August 19
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Season Preview with Coach Embick - 8/19/25
Tuesday, August 19
2024 Akron Zips Men's Soccer (Emil Highlights)
Tuesday, December 10