The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 12
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Villanova
Akron Hosts Villanova on Senior Night
October 11 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes Villanova to FirstEnergy Stadium for a Senior Night showdown on Saturday (Oct. 12). The 7 p.m. match with the Wildcats will be broadcast on the ESPN+ with Chad Welker on the call.
Tickets for the contest against the Wildcats are available for purchase at http://www.gozips.com/Tickets. Fans are asked to park in Lots 6, 9 and 10 surrounding InfoCision Stadium and the Stile Athletics Field House. For complete parking information click here.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Villanova | Oct. 12 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Villanova: Mark Fetrow (Penn State, 2011), Overall Record: 10-8-9 (Second Season), Record at Villanova: 1-6-4 (First Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 186-80-43 (15th Season), Record at Akron: 139-59-35 (12th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its tilt versus Villanova on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 6-3-3 on the campaign, including 3-0-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following an 6-1 victory over Wright State on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
Redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) leads the Zips in goals (11), assists (5), points (28), shots (51), shots on goal (24) and game-winners (3), while redshirt senior Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah), senior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), redshirt senior Victor Gaulmin (Guipavas, France) and redshirt freshman Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have added four, three, two and two goals, respectively, to go along with Jaaskelainen and Gaulmin owning a team-best six and five assists, respectively, on the campaign. Redshirt junior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) has collected 37 saves and owns a 1.17 goals against average.
Akron returns six starters in 2024, including 2023 All-BIG EAST Conference performers, seniors Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and senior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario).
The Zips will also be bolstered by the return of key 2023 contributors in Budler, Clapier, junior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown Ohio), juniors Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) and Wan Kamal.
SCOUTING VILLANOVA
Villanova comes into play versus the Zips on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 1-6-4 on the campaign, including 0-3-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-2 victory over Columbia on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
Redshirt senior Jorge Garcia leads the Wildcats in goals (4), points (9) and game-winners (1), while redshirt senior Jason Bouregy paces the team in assists (5), shots (31) and shots on goal (15). Freshman goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev and junior GK Sebastian Cutler DeJesus have posted 29 and 28 saves, respectively, en route to owning a 2.38 combined goals against average.
The Wildcats are ranked 10th in the NCAA in saves per game (5.18) and 44th in total assists (19). Individually, Bouregy is rated 29th in total assists (5), 43rd in assists per match (0.45) and 47th in shots per game (2.82), while Cutler DeJesus is ranked 42nd in saves per outing (4.00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Villanova for the second time in program history with the Zips owning a 1-0-0 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron bested the Wildcats, 2-0, on Nov. 17, 2016, at FirstEnergy Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 17, 2016 – AKRON, OHIO)
Nick Hinds registered a two-goal effort to spark the Zips to a 2-0 triumph over Villanova in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament on Nov. 17, 2016, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Sam Gainford recorded a game-high eight shots for Akron, while Hinds and Ezana Kahsay contributed five and three shots, respectively.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt didn't need to make a save for the Zips en route to posting his 11th shutout of the season.
SEVEN ZIPS TO BE HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus Villanova on Saturday (Oct. 12), will mark Senior Night in the careers of Jonas Buechte, Dyson Clapier, Victor Gaulmin, Malik Henry, Emil Jaaskelainen, Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Beto Ydrach (Orlando, Fla.).
Buechte has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip recording two goals, including one game-winner, to go along with nine assists on the heels of registering 36 shots, of which 12 fell on frame.
Clapier has appeared in 70 career games as a Zip, recording 18 goals, 15 assists and 51 points on 122 shots, including 57 on goal, with seven game-winning goals.
Gaulmin has appeared in 12 career games as a Zip recording two goals, to go along with five assists on the strength of registering 14 shots, including four on frame.
Henry has appeared in 63 career games as a Zip recording one goal, a game-winner, and 16 assists on the strength of 31 shots, including 17 on net.
Jaaskelainen has started all 12 career games as a Zip recording 11 goals, six assists, 28 points and three game-winning goals on the strength of registering 51 shots, of which 24 fell on frame.
Wan Kamal has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip, en route to recording seven goals and 16 assists on the strength of 66 shots, including 31 on goal.
Ydrach has appeared in 11 games for Akron this fall, including 10 starts, he owns two assists on the strength of seven shots, including three on net.
AKRON NOTES
• In the only previous matchup between Akron and Villanova, the Zips posted a 2-0 shutout victory past the Wildcats on Nov. 17, 2016.
• The Zips have outscored Villanova, 2-0, in one home game against the Wildcats.
• Emil Jaaskelainen posted his fourth multi-goal effort of the season against Wright State (Oct. 8) netting a pair of goals.
• Emil Jaaskelainen enters play versus Villanova with 54 career goals, a mark that is rated No. 1 among active career leaders in Division I and eighth overall across all divisions. Additionally, he is ranked seventh in career points (128) across all divisions.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in total points (96), third in total assists (36) and in total goals (30) , fourth in assists per tilt (3.00) and in goal differential (16), sixth in points per match (8.00) and in scoring offense (2.50), 10th in shots per game (15.75), 22nd in shots on goal per contest (6.58) and 25th in corner kicks (5.92).
• Individually, GK Mitch Budler is rated fourth in the NCAA in goalie minutes played (1,080:00) and 26th in shutouts (5), Emil Jaaskelainen is ranked first in in total goals (11), total points (28) and points per outing (2.33), fourth in game-winning goals (3), sixth in goals per match (0.92), seventh in shots per game (4.25) and shots on goal per contest (2.00), 14th in total assists (6) and 31st in assists per tilt (0.50). Additionally, Victor Gaulmin is 30th in total assists (5).
• Mitch Budler is rated 12th among active career leaders in D1 in solo shutouts (18), 18th in goals against average (1.03) and 32nd in goalie minutes played (4,187.62). Emil Jaaskelainen is first in D1 active leaders in points (128), goals (54) and points per game (1.71), second in goals per tilt (0.72), 11th in assists per contest (0.27), 12th in assists (20) and 33rd in games played (75). Malik Henry is rated 34th in career assists (16).
• Thirteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Twenty-three Zips have registered a shot this season, including 11 newcomers.
• Eleven Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• The Zips recorded a season-best 27 shots against Temple (Sept. 14).
• Akron has posted double-digit shots in eight tilts this season.
• The Zips are 1-0-2 versus ranked teams this season following a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame (Aug. 22), a 1-1 tie at No. 5 Western Michigan (Aug. 30) and a 4-0 triumph past No. 13 VCU (Sept. 6). A year ago, Akron was 2-0-1 against ranked squads after a 0-0 draw with No. 15 Notre Dame (Sept. 19), a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Florida International (Sept. 11) and a 1-0 triumph past No. 7 Vermont (Aug. 28).
• Since 2021, the Zips own 28-4-8 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 32-5-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 47-8-6 mark versus league foes at home.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 34-22-10 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dyson Clapier is Akron's active career leaders in goals (17), points (48), shots (120), shots on goal (56) and game-winners (6), while ranking third in assists (14). Emil Jaaskelainen, Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Stefan Dobrijevic have scored nine, six and five goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 139-59-35 mark over the last 12 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 139 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 28-14-7.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 106 of the squad's last 196 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 44 of its last 91 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 89-18-15 record in its last 122 home matches.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 75-14-15 (.793) mark in league play. Furthermore, the Zips won 11 consecutive MAC regular season championships (2006-16) and 11 of the final 14 MAC Tournament titles.
• Since Oct. 1, 2015, Akron owns a 92-46-31 record.
UP NEXT
Akron visits DePaul for a 3 p.m. ET match on Saturday (Oct. 19).
AKRON ATHLETICS NOW CASHLESS
The University of Akron Athletics Department announced its transition to cashless payments for all ticketing, concessions, and merchandise purchases at all Akron athletic venues, concession stands, and gear shops, beginning with the start of the 2024-25 sports seasons. For more information click here.
Tickets for the contest against the Wildcats are available for purchase at http://www.gozips.com/Tickets. Fans are asked to park in Lots 6, 9 and 10 surrounding InfoCision Stadium and the Stile Athletics Field House. For complete parking information click here.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Villanova | Oct. 12 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Villanova: Mark Fetrow (Penn State, 2011), Overall Record: 10-8-9 (Second Season), Record at Villanova: 1-6-4 (First Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 186-80-43 (15th Season), Record at Akron: 139-59-35 (12th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its tilt versus Villanova on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 6-3-3 on the campaign, including 3-0-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following an 6-1 victory over Wright State on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
Redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) leads the Zips in goals (11), assists (5), points (28), shots (51), shots on goal (24) and game-winners (3), while redshirt senior Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah), senior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), redshirt senior Victor Gaulmin (Guipavas, France) and redshirt freshman Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have added four, three, two and two goals, respectively, to go along with Jaaskelainen and Gaulmin owning a team-best six and five assists, respectively, on the campaign. Redshirt junior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) has collected 37 saves and owns a 1.17 goals against average.
Akron returns six starters in 2024, including 2023 All-BIG EAST Conference performers, seniors Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and senior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario).
The Zips will also be bolstered by the return of key 2023 contributors in Budler, Clapier, junior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown Ohio), juniors Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) and Wan Kamal.
SCOUTING VILLANOVA
Villanova comes into play versus the Zips on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 1-6-4 on the campaign, including 0-3-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-2 victory over Columbia on Tuesday (Oct. 8).
Redshirt senior Jorge Garcia leads the Wildcats in goals (4), points (9) and game-winners (1), while redshirt senior Jason Bouregy paces the team in assists (5), shots (31) and shots on goal (15). Freshman goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev and junior GK Sebastian Cutler DeJesus have posted 29 and 28 saves, respectively, en route to owning a 2.38 combined goals against average.
The Wildcats are ranked 10th in the NCAA in saves per game (5.18) and 44th in total assists (19). Individually, Bouregy is rated 29th in total assists (5), 43rd in assists per match (0.45) and 47th in shots per game (2.82), while Cutler DeJesus is ranked 42nd in saves per outing (4.00).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Villanova for the second time in program history with the Zips owning a 1-0-0 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron bested the Wildcats, 2-0, on Nov. 17, 2016, at FirstEnergy Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 17, 2016 – AKRON, OHIO)
Nick Hinds registered a two-goal effort to spark the Zips to a 2-0 triumph over Villanova in the opening round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament on Nov. 17, 2016, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Sam Gainford recorded a game-high eight shots for Akron, while Hinds and Ezana Kahsay contributed five and three shots, respectively.
Goalkeeper Ben Lundt didn't need to make a save for the Zips en route to posting his 11th shutout of the season.
SEVEN ZIPS TO BE HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus Villanova on Saturday (Oct. 12), will mark Senior Night in the careers of Jonas Buechte, Dyson Clapier, Victor Gaulmin, Malik Henry, Emil Jaaskelainen, Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Beto Ydrach (Orlando, Fla.).
Buechte has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip recording two goals, including one game-winner, to go along with nine assists on the heels of registering 36 shots, of which 12 fell on frame.
Clapier has appeared in 70 career games as a Zip, recording 18 goals, 15 assists and 51 points on 122 shots, including 57 on goal, with seven game-winning goals.
Gaulmin has appeared in 12 career games as a Zip recording two goals, to go along with five assists on the strength of registering 14 shots, including four on frame.
Henry has appeared in 63 career games as a Zip recording one goal, a game-winner, and 16 assists on the strength of 31 shots, including 17 on net.
Jaaskelainen has started all 12 career games as a Zip recording 11 goals, six assists, 28 points and three game-winning goals on the strength of registering 51 shots, of which 24 fell on frame.
Wan Kamal has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip, en route to recording seven goals and 16 assists on the strength of 66 shots, including 31 on goal.
Ydrach has appeared in 11 games for Akron this fall, including 10 starts, he owns two assists on the strength of seven shots, including three on net.
AKRON NOTES
• In the only previous matchup between Akron and Villanova, the Zips posted a 2-0 shutout victory past the Wildcats on Nov. 17, 2016.
• The Zips have outscored Villanova, 2-0, in one home game against the Wildcats.
• Emil Jaaskelainen posted his fourth multi-goal effort of the season against Wright State (Oct. 8) netting a pair of goals.
• Emil Jaaskelainen enters play versus Villanova with 54 career goals, a mark that is rated No. 1 among active career leaders in Division I and eighth overall across all divisions. Additionally, he is ranked seventh in career points (128) across all divisions.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in total points (96), third in total assists (36) and in total goals (30) , fourth in assists per tilt (3.00) and in goal differential (16), sixth in points per match (8.00) and in scoring offense (2.50), 10th in shots per game (15.75), 22nd in shots on goal per contest (6.58) and 25th in corner kicks (5.92).
• Individually, GK Mitch Budler is rated fourth in the NCAA in goalie minutes played (1,080:00) and 26th in shutouts (5), Emil Jaaskelainen is ranked first in in total goals (11), total points (28) and points per outing (2.33), fourth in game-winning goals (3), sixth in goals per match (0.92), seventh in shots per game (4.25) and shots on goal per contest (2.00), 14th in total assists (6) and 31st in assists per tilt (0.50). Additionally, Victor Gaulmin is 30th in total assists (5).
• Mitch Budler is rated 12th among active career leaders in D1 in solo shutouts (18), 18th in goals against average (1.03) and 32nd in goalie minutes played (4,187.62). Emil Jaaskelainen is first in D1 active leaders in points (128), goals (54) and points per game (1.71), second in goals per tilt (0.72), 11th in assists per contest (0.27), 12th in assists (20) and 33rd in games played (75). Malik Henry is rated 34th in career assists (16).
• Thirteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Twenty-three Zips have registered a shot this season, including 11 newcomers.
• Eleven Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• The Zips recorded a season-best 27 shots against Temple (Sept. 14).
• Akron has posted double-digit shots in eight tilts this season.
• The Zips are 1-0-2 versus ranked teams this season following a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame (Aug. 22), a 1-1 tie at No. 5 Western Michigan (Aug. 30) and a 4-0 triumph past No. 13 VCU (Sept. 6). A year ago, Akron was 2-0-1 against ranked squads after a 0-0 draw with No. 15 Notre Dame (Sept. 19), a 2-0 victory over No. 11 Florida International (Sept. 11) and a 1-0 triumph past No. 7 Vermont (Aug. 28).
• Since 2021, the Zips own 28-4-8 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 32-5-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 47-8-6 mark versus league foes at home.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 34-22-10 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dyson Clapier is Akron's active career leaders in goals (17), points (48), shots (120), shots on goal (56) and game-winners (6), while ranking third in assists (14). Emil Jaaskelainen, Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Stefan Dobrijevic have scored nine, six and five goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 139-59-35 mark over the last 12 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 139 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 28-14-7.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 106 of the squad's last 196 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 44 of its last 91 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 89-18-15 record in its last 122 home matches.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 75-14-15 (.793) mark in league play. Furthermore, the Zips won 11 consecutive MAC regular season championships (2006-16) and 11 of the final 14 MAC Tournament titles.
• Since Oct. 1, 2015, Akron owns a 92-46-31 record.
UP NEXT
Akron visits DePaul for a 3 p.m. ET match on Saturday (Oct. 19).
AKRON ATHLETICS NOW CASHLESS
The University of Akron Athletics Department announced its transition to cashless payments for all ticketing, concessions, and merchandise purchases at all Akron athletic venues, concession stands, and gear shops, beginning with the start of the 2024-25 sports seasons. For more information click here.
Players Mentioned
GK
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MF
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F
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F
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MF
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MF/F
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F
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D
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D
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MF
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MF/D
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