Akron Hosts Seton Hall in BIG EAST Showdown

AKRON, Ohio – The fifth-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team opens a three-game homestand welcoming Seton Hall to FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday (Sept. 29) at 7 p.m.

GAME INFO
Akron vs. Seton Hall | Sept. 29 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | BIG EAST Digital Network/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
Seton Hall: Andreas Lindberg (Southampton, 2002), Overall Record: 209-76-40 (18th Season), Record at Seton Hall: 40-32-18 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 176-75-37 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 129-54-29 (11th Season)

SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Seton Hall on Friday (Sept. 29) at 5-0-4 on the campaign, including a 0-0-2 mark in the BIG EAST, following a 1-1 draw versus St. John's on Sept. 23.

Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (4), assists (4), points (12), shots (29) and shots on goal (14). 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 19 saves and own a 0.67 goals against average with five shutouts this season.

The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in shots per game (18.67), fourth in shots on goal per contest (7.56), eighth in corner kicks (7.11), 11th in shutout percentage (.556) and in team goals against average (.667), 13th in goal differential (11), 18th in winning percentage (.778), 27th in total assists (18), 32nd in total goals (17) and in total points (52), 33rd in assists per game (2.00), 36th in points per tilt (5.78), 40th in scoring offense (1.89).

Individually, Shokalook is 17th in the NCAA in shots per outing (3.62) and shots on goal per match (1.75), 32nd in total assists (4), 41st in assists per contest (0.50), 44th in total points (12) and 48th in points per tilt (1.50), while Paulus is rated 19th in the country in game-winning goals (2). Budler is ranked 28th in shutouts (3) and 33rd in goals against average (0.833), while Wilson is 43rd 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) 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 SETON HALL
Seton Hall enters its match at Akron on Friday (Sept. 29) at 5-2-1 on the season, including 1-1-0 in the BIG EAST, following a 4-2 victory over UConn on Sept. 23.

Senior Andrea Borg leads the Pirates in goals (3), assists (4), points (10), shots (8) and shots on goal (4). Senior GK Mats Roorda has recorded 23 saves this season and maintains a 0.71 goals against average with three shutouts.

As a team, Seton Hall is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 20th in team goals against average (.750), 21st in assists per game (2.25), 23rd in save percentage (.812), 27th in goal differential (8) and total assists (18), 37th in points per tilt (5.75) and winning percentage (.688), 39th in shot accuracy (.475), 42nd in shutout percentage (.375) and 48th in total points (46).

Individually, Borg is rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), 32nd in total assists (4) and 41st in assists per game (0.50). Additionally, Roorda is rated 18th in save percentage (.821), 23rd in goals against average (.714) and 28th in shutouts (3).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Seton Hall are meeting for the second time in program history with the Zips leading the all-time series 1-0-0. In the lone encounter between the two schools, Akron earned a 4-2 decision over the Pirates on Aug. 31, 2003 as part of the Virginia Soccer Classic in Charlottesville, Va.

JACKSON NAMED BIG EAST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Will Jackson was honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Sept. 25.

Jackson led the defensive efforts for the Zips a week ago as Akron limited opponents to 3.5 shots per game in a pair of contests, including only one shot on goal (seven overall shots). The Zips recorded a shutout over No. 15 Notre Dame on Sept. 19 holding the Fighting Irish, who came into the game averaging 13.7 shots per game, to zero shots on goal as part of three overall shots (all in the second half), while outshooting Notre Dame, 23-3.

AKRON-SETON HALL NOTES
• Akron is hosting Seton Hall for the first time in program history.
• The Zips recorded four goals in a 4-2 victory past the Pirates on Aug. 31, 2003.

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.).

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Players Mentioned

Mitch Budler

Jonas Buechte

Dyson Clapier

Johnny Fitzgerald

Malik Henry

Will Jackson

Josef Paulus

Joel Sangwa

Jason Shokalook

Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal

Seth Wilson

The University of Akron Athletics