The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Trio Earns BIG EAST Men's Soccer Accolades
October 28 | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK - University of Akron men's soccer redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) and redshirt junior Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) were honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Offensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Week, the league announced on Monday, Oct. 28.
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Sophomore Josh Hardin (Maple Valley, Wash.) was also named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
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Jaaskelainen turned in another stellar week posting back-to-back two-goal performances to propel the Zips to a pair of 3-0 shutouts past Creighton and on the road at Marquette.
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He finished his week's efforts registering four goals on the strength of a team-high nine shots, including five on goal.
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Jaaskelainen now leads the NCAA with 20 goals entering play at UConn on Saturday (Nov. 2).
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In the Zips' 3-0 win over Creighton, he drew the penalty kick for what proved to be the game-winning goal by junior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio). He later tallied goals at the 56:41 and 58:24 marks, respectively, finishing with a game-high five shots, including two on goal.
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Jaaskelainen followed with a two-goal effort in a 3-0 win at Marquette. He netted the game-winning goal heading home a strike at the 12:51 mark collecting his 20th goal of the season in the 76th minute (75:56). On the night, he posted a game-best four shots, with three falling on frame.
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Through 16 games this fall, Jaaskelainen owns team-high marks in goals (20), points (47), shots (76), shots on goal (37) and game-winners (5), while ranking third in assists (7).
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Budler posted back-to-back clean sheet performances in a pair of 3-0 triumphs past Creighton and Marquette. He pulled in six saves in the two matches and has now posted three straight shutouts and five in seven league contests on the year.
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On the campaign, Budler owns 44 saves and a 1.00 goals against average on the strength of seven shutouts.
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Hardin turned in another solid week in a stellar campaign for the Zips' defender. Hardin helped anchor Akron's defensive efforts that resulted in back-to-back 3-0 shutouts over Creighton and at Marquette.
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Hardin and the Zips limited the Bluejays, who came into the game rated No. 4 in the NCAA in corner kicks, 24th in shots and 28th in shots on goal to four overall shots on the evening and a pair of corner kicks.
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Akron and Hardin then again repeated its performance at Marquette holding the Golden Eagles to six overall shots and five corner kicks and without a goal.
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The 15th-rated Zips return to action on Saturday (Nov. 2) with a 2 p.m. showdown at UConn.
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Sophomore Josh Hardin (Maple Valley, Wash.) was also named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
Â
Jaaskelainen turned in another stellar week posting back-to-back two-goal performances to propel the Zips to a pair of 3-0 shutouts past Creighton and on the road at Marquette.
Â
He finished his week's efforts registering four goals on the strength of a team-high nine shots, including five on goal.
Â
Jaaskelainen now leads the NCAA with 20 goals entering play at UConn on Saturday (Nov. 2).
Â
In the Zips' 3-0 win over Creighton, he drew the penalty kick for what proved to be the game-winning goal by junior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio). He later tallied goals at the 56:41 and 58:24 marks, respectively, finishing with a game-high five shots, including two on goal.
Â
Jaaskelainen followed with a two-goal effort in a 3-0 win at Marquette. He netted the game-winning goal heading home a strike at the 12:51 mark collecting his 20th goal of the season in the 76th minute (75:56). On the night, he posted a game-best four shots, with three falling on frame.
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Through 16 games this fall, Jaaskelainen owns team-high marks in goals (20), points (47), shots (76), shots on goal (37) and game-winners (5), while ranking third in assists (7).
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Budler posted back-to-back clean sheet performances in a pair of 3-0 triumphs past Creighton and Marquette. He pulled in six saves in the two matches and has now posted three straight shutouts and five in seven league contests on the year.
Â
On the campaign, Budler owns 44 saves and a 1.00 goals against average on the strength of seven shutouts.
Â
Hardin turned in another solid week in a stellar campaign for the Zips' defender. Hardin helped anchor Akron's defensive efforts that resulted in back-to-back 3-0 shutouts over Creighton and at Marquette.
Â
Hardin and the Zips limited the Bluejays, who came into the game rated No. 4 in the NCAA in corner kicks, 24th in shots and 28th in shots on goal to four overall shots on the evening and a pair of corner kicks.
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Akron and Hardin then again repeated its performance at Marquette holding the Golden Eagles to six overall shots and five corner kicks and without a goal.
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The 15th-rated Zips return to action on Saturday (Nov. 2) with a 2 p.m. showdown at UConn.
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Players Mentioned
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2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Duke (NCAA Third Round) - 11/30/25
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Sunday, November 23














