The University of Akron Athletics
Wednesday, October 23
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Creighton
Akron Hosts Creighton
October 22 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The 18th-rated University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes Creighton to FirstEnergy Stadium for the regular season home finale for the Zips on Wednesday (Oct. 23). The 7 p.m. match with the Bluejays will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Chad Welker on the call.
Tickets for the contest against the Bluejays 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. Creighton | Oct. 23 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Creighton: Johnny Torres (Creighton, 2008), Overall Record: 47-37-19 (Sixth Season), Record at Creighton: 47-37-19 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 188-80-43 (15th Season), Record at Akron: 141-59-35 (12th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its tilt against Creighton on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 8-3-3 on the campaign, including 5-0-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following an 4-0 victory at DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 19).
Redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) leads the Zips in goals (16), assists (7), points (39), shots (67), shots on goal (32) and game-winners (4), 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, three and two goals, respectively, to go along with Jaaskelainen, Clapier and Gaulmin owning a team-best seven, six and six assists, respectively, on the campaign. Redshirt junior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) has collected 38 saves and owns a 1.14 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 CREIGHTON
Creighton comes into play versus the Zips on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 7-4-3 on the campaign, including 2-2-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-1 victory versus Villanova on Saturday (Oct. 19).
Senior Jackson Castro leads the Bluejays in goals (5), assists (5), points (15) and shots (32), while sophomore Ali Ramadan paces the team in shots on goal (14) and game-winners (2). Redshirt junior goalkeeper Blake Gillingham has posted 35 saves en route to owning a 1.21 goals against average with four shutouts.
The Bluejays are ranked fourth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.07), 24th in shots per contest (14.57), 28th in shots on goal (6.29) and 48th in total goals (23). Individually, Gillingham is rated 11th in goalie minutes played (1,260:00) and 39th in shutouts (4).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Creighton for the eighth time in program history with the Zips owning a 3-2-2 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, the Bluejays posted a 3-2 home victory past Akron on Oct. 18, 2023.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 18, 2023 – OMAHA, NEB.)
A late rally came up just short for Akron as the Zips fell 3-2 on the road against Creighton on Oct. 18, 2023, at Morrison Stadium.
After the two sides battled through a scoreless opening half, Creighton began the scoring when Alfie Pope scored in the 48th minute, assisted by Giorgio Probo and Mark O'Neill.
The Bluejays extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Omar Ramadan in the 63rd minute.
Creighton went ahead 3-0 on Pope's 84th-minute goal, assisted by Jackson Castro and Probo.
The Zips got on the board with an 89th-minute goal from Joel Sangwa. Jonas Buechte assisted the goal.
Akron made it a 3-2 game on Will Jackson's goal in the 90th minute, assisted by Jason Shokalook.
SEVEN ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus Villanova on Oct. 12 marked 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 70 career games as a Zip recording two goals, including one game-winner, to go along with nine assists on the heels of registering 37 shots, of which 13 fell on frame.
Clapier has appeared in 72 career games as a Zip, recording 18 goals, 18 assists and 54 points on 128 shots, including 59 on goal, with seven game-winning goals.
Gaulmin has appeared in 14 career games as a Zip recording three goals, six assists, 12 points and one game-winner on the strength of registering 17 shots, including six on frame.
Henry has appeared in 65 career games as a Zip recording two goals, a game-winner, and 17 assists on the strength of 32 shots, including 18 on net.
Jaaskelainen has started all 14 career games as a Zip recording 16 goals, seven assists, 39 points and four game-winning goals on the strength of registering 67 shots, of which 32 fell on frame.
Wan Kamal has appeared in 70 career games as a Zip, en route to recording seven goals and 18 assists on the strength of 67 shots, including 31 on goal.
Ydrach has appeared in 13 games for Akron this fall, including 12 starts, he owns two assists on the strength of 10 shots, including three on net.
AKRON TRIO EARNS BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS
Emil Jaaskelainen and Ashton Kamdem were named the BIG EAST Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, the league announced on Monday (Oct. 21). Additionally, Victor Gaulmin was selected to the BIG EAST Conference Men's Soccer Honor Roll.
AKRON NOTES
• Two of the seven matches between Akron and Creighton have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 2-0-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Creighton, 5-3, in three home games against the Bluejays.
• Defense has dominated the series between Akron and Creighton as neither team has scored more than one goal in four of the seven encounters.
• Akron's victory at DePaul (Oct. 19) marked the 250th triumph for the Zips since head coach Jared Embick joined the staff for the 2007 campaign.
• Emil Jaaskelainen has posted six multi-goal efforts on the season after recording a brace at DePaul (Oct. 19). He collected a first-half hat trick against Villanova (Oct. 12) after netting a pair of goals against Wright State (Oct. 8). He also notched a hat trick in an 8-0 Akron victory over Saint Francis (Sept. 24) and added a pair of goals in a 4-3 win over Butler (Sept. 20) and a 3-3 draw versus Cleveland State (Sept. 2).
• Emil Jaaskelainen enters play versus Creighton with 59 career goals, a mark that is rated No. 1 among active career leaders in Division I and fourth overall across all divisions. Additionally, he is ranked fourth in career points (139) across all divisions.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in total goals (37), total points (118), total assists (44), points per match (8.43) and in assists per tilt (3.14), fourth in scoring offense (2.64), fifth in goal differential (21), eighth in shots per game (16.43), 11th in shots on goal per contest (6.86), 26th in corner kicks (5.93) and 32nd in winning percentage (.679).
• Individually, GK Mitch Budler is rated 11th in the NCAA in goalie minutes played (1,260:00) and 22nd in shutouts (6), Emil Jaaskelainen is ranked first in total goals (16), total points (39), goals per match (1.14) and points per outing (2.79), second in shots per game (4.79), fourth in game-winning goals (4) and in shots on goal per contest (2.29), 17th in total assists (7) and 27th in assists per tilt (0.50). Additionally, Victor Gaulmin and Dyson Clapier are 30th in total assists (6).
• Mitch Budler is rated 13th among active career leaders in D1 in solo shutouts (19), 21st in goals against average (1.03) and 31st in goalie minutes played (4,367.62). Emil Jaaskelainen is first in D1 active leaders in points (139) and goals (59), second in points per game (1.81) and in goals per tilt (0.77), 11th in assists (21), 15th in assists per contest (0.27) and 31st in games played (77). Malik Henry is rated 30th in career assists (17).
• Thirteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Twenty-three Zips have registered a shot this season, including 11 newcomers.
• All but one field player for the Zips to have played in a game this season has posted a shot for Akron.
• Eleven Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• Akron has posted double-digit shots in 10 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 29-4-8 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 33-5-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 48-8-6 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 (18), assists (18), points (54), shots (128), shots on goal (59) and game-winners (6). Emil Jaaskelainen, Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Stefan Dobrijevic have scored 16, six and five goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 141-59-35 mark over the last 12 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 141 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 108 of the squad's last 198 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 44 of its last 92 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 90-18-15 record in its last 123 home matches.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 77-14-15 (.797) 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.
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Milwaukee, Wis., for a showdown with Marquette on Saturday (Oct. 26) at 8 p.m. ET.
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 Bluejays 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. Creighton | Oct. 23 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Creighton: Johnny Torres (Creighton, 2008), Overall Record: 47-37-19 (Sixth Season), Record at Creighton: 47-37-19 (Sixth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 188-80-43 (15th Season), Record at Akron: 141-59-35 (12th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its tilt against Creighton on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 8-3-3 on the campaign, including 5-0-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following an 4-0 victory at DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 19).
Redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) leads the Zips in goals (16), assists (7), points (39), shots (67), shots on goal (32) and game-winners (4), 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, three and two goals, respectively, to go along with Jaaskelainen, Clapier and Gaulmin owning a team-best seven, six and six assists, respectively, on the campaign. Redshirt junior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) has collected 38 saves and owns a 1.14 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 CREIGHTON
Creighton comes into play versus the Zips on Wednesday (Oct. 23) at 7-4-3 on the campaign, including 2-2-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 3-1 victory versus Villanova on Saturday (Oct. 19).
Senior Jackson Castro leads the Bluejays in goals (5), assists (5), points (15) and shots (32), while sophomore Ali Ramadan paces the team in shots on goal (14) and game-winners (2). Redshirt junior goalkeeper Blake Gillingham has posted 35 saves en route to owning a 1.21 goals against average with four shutouts.
The Bluejays are ranked fourth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.07), 24th in shots per contest (14.57), 28th in shots on goal (6.29) and 48th in total goals (23). Individually, Gillingham is rated 11th in goalie minutes played (1,260:00) and 39th in shutouts (4).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Creighton for the eighth time in program history with the Zips owning a 3-2-2 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, the Bluejays posted a 3-2 home victory past Akron on Oct. 18, 2023.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 18, 2023 – OMAHA, NEB.)
A late rally came up just short for Akron as the Zips fell 3-2 on the road against Creighton on Oct. 18, 2023, at Morrison Stadium.
After the two sides battled through a scoreless opening half, Creighton began the scoring when Alfie Pope scored in the 48th minute, assisted by Giorgio Probo and Mark O'Neill.
The Bluejays extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Omar Ramadan in the 63rd minute.
Creighton went ahead 3-0 on Pope's 84th-minute goal, assisted by Jackson Castro and Probo.
The Zips got on the board with an 89th-minute goal from Joel Sangwa. Jonas Buechte assisted the goal.
Akron made it a 3-2 game on Will Jackson's goal in the 90th minute, assisted by Jason Shokalook.
SEVEN ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus Villanova on Oct. 12 marked 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 70 career games as a Zip recording two goals, including one game-winner, to go along with nine assists on the heels of registering 37 shots, of which 13 fell on frame.
Clapier has appeared in 72 career games as a Zip, recording 18 goals, 18 assists and 54 points on 128 shots, including 59 on goal, with seven game-winning goals.
Gaulmin has appeared in 14 career games as a Zip recording three goals, six assists, 12 points and one game-winner on the strength of registering 17 shots, including six on frame.
Henry has appeared in 65 career games as a Zip recording two goals, a game-winner, and 17 assists on the strength of 32 shots, including 18 on net.
Jaaskelainen has started all 14 career games as a Zip recording 16 goals, seven assists, 39 points and four game-winning goals on the strength of registering 67 shots, of which 32 fell on frame.
Wan Kamal has appeared in 70 career games as a Zip, en route to recording seven goals and 18 assists on the strength of 67 shots, including 31 on goal.
Ydrach has appeared in 13 games for Akron this fall, including 12 starts, he owns two assists on the strength of 10 shots, including three on net.
AKRON TRIO EARNS BIG EAST WEEKLY HONORS
Emil Jaaskelainen and Ashton Kamdem were named the BIG EAST Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, the league announced on Monday (Oct. 21). Additionally, Victor Gaulmin was selected to the BIG EAST Conference Men's Soccer Honor Roll.
AKRON NOTES
• Two of the seven matches between Akron and Creighton have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 2-0-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Creighton, 5-3, in three home games against the Bluejays.
• Defense has dominated the series between Akron and Creighton as neither team has scored more than one goal in four of the seven encounters.
• Akron's victory at DePaul (Oct. 19) marked the 250th triumph for the Zips since head coach Jared Embick joined the staff for the 2007 campaign.
• Emil Jaaskelainen has posted six multi-goal efforts on the season after recording a brace at DePaul (Oct. 19). He collected a first-half hat trick against Villanova (Oct. 12) after netting a pair of goals against Wright State (Oct. 8). He also notched a hat trick in an 8-0 Akron victory over Saint Francis (Sept. 24) and added a pair of goals in a 4-3 win over Butler (Sept. 20) and a 3-3 draw versus Cleveland State (Sept. 2).
• Emil Jaaskelainen enters play versus Creighton with 59 career goals, a mark that is rated No. 1 among active career leaders in Division I and fourth overall across all divisions. Additionally, he is ranked fourth in career points (139) across all divisions.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in total goals (37), total points (118), total assists (44), points per match (8.43) and in assists per tilt (3.14), fourth in scoring offense (2.64), fifth in goal differential (21), eighth in shots per game (16.43), 11th in shots on goal per contest (6.86), 26th in corner kicks (5.93) and 32nd in winning percentage (.679).
• Individually, GK Mitch Budler is rated 11th in the NCAA in goalie minutes played (1,260:00) and 22nd in shutouts (6), Emil Jaaskelainen is ranked first in total goals (16), total points (39), goals per match (1.14) and points per outing (2.79), second in shots per game (4.79), fourth in game-winning goals (4) and in shots on goal per contest (2.29), 17th in total assists (7) and 27th in assists per tilt (0.50). Additionally, Victor Gaulmin and Dyson Clapier are 30th in total assists (6).
• Mitch Budler is rated 13th among active career leaders in D1 in solo shutouts (19), 21st in goals against average (1.03) and 31st in goalie minutes played (4,367.62). Emil Jaaskelainen is first in D1 active leaders in points (139) and goals (59), second in points per game (1.81) and in goals per tilt (0.77), 11th in assists (21), 15th in assists per contest (0.27) and 31st in games played (77). Malik Henry is rated 30th in career assists (17).
• Thirteen different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Twenty-three Zips have registered a shot this season, including 11 newcomers.
• All but one field player for the Zips to have played in a game this season has posted a shot for Akron.
• Eleven Akron newcomers have appeared in a match for the Zips this season.
• Akron has posted double-digit shots in 10 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 29-4-8 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 33-5-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 48-8-6 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 (18), assists (18), points (54), shots (128), shots on goal (59) and game-winners (6). Emil Jaaskelainen, Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal and Stefan Dobrijevic have scored 16, six and five goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 141-59-35 mark over the last 12 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 141 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 108 of the squad's last 198 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 44 of its last 92 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 90-18-15 record in its last 123 home matches.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 77-14-15 (.797) 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.
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Milwaukee, Wis., for a showdown with Marquette on Saturday (Oct. 26) at 8 p.m. ET.
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
/ Men's Soccer
D
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MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF/D
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