The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, August 30
Kalamazoo, Mich.
5:00 PM
University of Akron
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Western Michigan
Akron Set to Battle No. 5 Western Michigan
August 29 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron men's soccer team travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., to renew its rivalry with No. 5 Western Michigan on Friday (Aug. 30). The 5 p.m. match with the Broncos will be broadcast on Bronco All-Access.
GAME INFO
Akron at No. 5 Western Michigan | Aug. 30 | 5 PM | WMU Soccer Complex | Live Stats | Bronco All-Access
HEAD COACHES
Western Michigan: Chad Wiseman (Western Michigan, 2007), Overall Record: 180-78-37 (16th Season), Record at Western Michigan: 125-55-31(12th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 180-78-41 (15th Season), Record at Akron: 133-57-33 (12th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown at No. 5 Western Michigan on Friday (Aug. 30) following a 2-0 setback versus Ohio State on Sunday (Aug. 25).
Senior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) registered the goal for the Zips on the strength of assists from junior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) and redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) in a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame.
A year ago, Jason Shokalook posted team-high marks in goals (14), assists (5), points (33), shots (83), shots on goal (41) and game-winners (3). Redshirt junior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) collected 33 saves and owned a 0.76 goals against average with eight shutouts last season.
The Zips rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (8.33), third in shots per game (18.56) and in shots on goal per contest (7.94), fourth in shutout percentage (.556) and in team goals against average (.667), 19th in goal differential (19), 25th in winning percentage (.694) and in save percentage (.782), 31st in total assists (36), 32nd in assists per game (2.00), 37th in total points (98), 41st in points per tilt (5.44), 45th in total goals (31) and 47th in scoring offense (1.72).
Individually, Shokalook finished second in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.41) and in shots per outing (4.88), third in points per tilt (1.94), fifth in goals per game (0.82), sixth in total points (33), seventh in total goals (14) and 48th in game-winning goals (3). Budler was 14th in goals against average (0.757) and 19th in shutouts (8).
Akron returns six starters in 2024, including 2023 All-BIG EAST Conference performers, seniors Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario).
The Zips will also be bolstered by the return of key 2023 contributors in Budler, redshirt senior Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah), Dobrijevic, juniors Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) and Wan Kamal.
Additionally, Jaaskelainen was tabbed by United Soccer Coaches among its Forwards to Watch List for 2024.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan comes into play against the Zips on Friday (Aug. 30) at 2-0-0 on the campaign following a 1-0 road triumph past No. 9 New Hampshire on Sunday (Aug. 25).
Redshirt senior Greyson Mercer leads the Broncos in goals (2), points (4), shots (5) and shots on goal (3) this season. Senior goalkeeper Colin Welsh owns seven saves en route to posting a 0.50 goals against average with one shutout.
The Broncos are ranked first in the NCAA in winning percentage (1.000), seventh in total assists (7), 15th in assists per contest (3.50), 18th in total points (15), 19th in goal differential (3), 29th in points per game (7.50), 31st in total goals (4), 36th in shutout percentage (0.50), 37th in goals against average (0.50), 41st in scoring offense (2.00) and 48th in save percentage (.875).
Individually, Mercer is rated 11th in the NCAA in total goals (2), 18th in goals per game (1.00) and 28th in total points (4) and 43rd in points per tilt (2.00), while redshirt senior Owen Smith is ranked seventh in total assists (2) and 11th in assists per match (1.00). Additionally, Welsh is ranked first in goalie minutes played (180:00), 15th in shutouts (1.0) and 46th in goals against average (0.50).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Western Michigan are squaring off for 52nd time in program history with the Zips owning a 39-7-5 series advantage. In the last encounter between the two schools, the Broncos edged Akron, 2-1, in the title game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Nov. 12, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
AKRON VERSUS MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time this season and 183rd time overall.
• Akron owns a 132-34-16 (.769) all-time record versus the current nine members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
• The Zips are 117-24-13 (.802) against former Mid-American Conference rivals Bowling Green, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
• The Zips have outscored the competition, 442-144, in 182 meetings with schools from the Missouri Valley Conference.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 12, 2022 – AKRON, OHIO)
A first-half goal proved too much for 12th-rated Akron to overcome as Western Michigan claimed the Mid-American Conference Tournament title on the strength of a 2-1 victory over the Zips on Nov. 12, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Western Michigan garnered a lead they didn't relinquish with a third-minute tally (2:57) from Jaylen Shannon off an assist courtesy of Charlie Sharp. The Broncos extended their advantage to 2-0 at the 50:20 mark when Sharp delivered a tally off a corner kick from Carson Hodgson.
Overcoming playing an extended period of the second half a man down, Johnny Fitzgerald headed home his fourth goal of the season in the 78th minute (77:25) off an assist from Will Jackson to cut the Zips' deficit to 2-1.
Akron outshot the Broncos on the afternoon, 10-9, with Dyson Clapier directing the Zips with a game-high three shots. Fitzgerald and Jackson added two strikes apiece for Akron, while Mitch Budler registered a trio of saves in net for the Zips.
ZIPS IN SEASON OPENERS
Now in its 70th season of intercollegiate soccer in 2024, the Akron men's soccer team have posted a record of 42-19-9 overall in season openers since the Zips first took the field against Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 8, 1955.
JAASKELAINEN NAMED TO TDS PRESEASON BEST XI SQUAD
Emil Jaaskelainen was named by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Preseason Best XI Third-Team squad.
AKRON NOTES
• Friday's game at Western Michigan marks the 300th contest in the career of Akron head coach Jared Embick.
• Thirteen of the 25 matches between Akron and Western Michigan with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including seven of the last 16, with the Zips owning a 10-4-2 mark in those contests.
• The Zips own a 16-4-2 ledger in games versus the Broncos at the WMU Soccer Complex and have outscored Western Michigan, 55-20.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 36 of 51 all-time meetings with Western Michigan.
• Mitch Budler is rated 14th among active career leaders in D1 in solo shutouts (14) 15th in goals against average (0.985) and 39th in goalie minutes played (3,287.62). Emil Jaaskelainen is first in D1 active leaders in points (101), goals (43), goals per tilt (0.66) and points per game (1.55), 15th in assists (15) and 41st in games played (65).
• Through 37 career games, GK Mitch Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 90 saves en route to owning a 1.01 goals against average on the strength of 15 shutouts.
• The Zips are 0-0-1 versus ranked teams this season following a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame (Aug. 22). 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).
• The Zips rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (8.33), third in shots per game (18.56) and in shots on goal per contest (7.94), fourth in shutout percentage (.556) and in team goals against average (.667), 19th in goal differential (19), 25th in winning percentage (.694) and in save percentage (.782), 31st in total assists (36), 32nd in assists per game (2.00), 37th in total points (98), 41st in points per tilt (5.44), 45th in total goals (31) and 47th in scoring offense (1.72).
• Individually, Jason Shokalook finished second in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.41) and in shots per outing (4.88), third in points per tilt (1.94), fifth in goals per game (0.82), sixth in total points (33), seventh in total goals (14) and 48th in game-winning goals (3). Mitch Budler was 14th in goals against average (0.757) and 19th in shutouts (8).
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 33-22-9 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dyson Clapier is Akron's active career leaders in goals (14), points (40), shots (96), shots on goal (44) and game-winners (6), while ranking second in assists (12). Stefan Dobrijevic and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal have scored five goals apiece.
• The Zips own a 133-57-33 mark over the last 12 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 133 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 27-13-6.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 101 of the squad's last 186 matches.
UP NEXT
Akron hosts Cleveland State on Monday (Sept. 2) at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
GAME INFO
Akron at No. 5 Western Michigan | Aug. 30 | 5 PM | WMU Soccer Complex | Live Stats | Bronco All-Access
HEAD COACHES
Western Michigan: Chad Wiseman (Western Michigan, 2007), Overall Record: 180-78-37 (16th Season), Record at Western Michigan: 125-55-31(12th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 180-78-41 (15th Season), Record at Akron: 133-57-33 (12th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 12th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown at No. 5 Western Michigan on Friday (Aug. 30) following a 2-0 setback versus Ohio State on Sunday (Aug. 25).
Senior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.) registered the goal for the Zips on the strength of assists from junior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) and redshirt senior Emil Jaaskelainen (Bolton, England) in a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame.
A year ago, Jason Shokalook posted team-high marks in goals (14), assists (5), points (33), shots (83), shots on goal (41) and game-winners (3). Redshirt junior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) collected 33 saves and owned a 0.76 goals against average with eight shutouts last season.
The Zips rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (8.33), third in shots per game (18.56) and in shots on goal per contest (7.94), fourth in shutout percentage (.556) and in team goals against average (.667), 19th in goal differential (19), 25th in winning percentage (.694) and in save percentage (.782), 31st in total assists (36), 32nd in assists per game (2.00), 37th in total points (98), 41st in points per tilt (5.44), 45th in total goals (31) and 47th in scoring offense (1.72).
Individually, Shokalook finished second in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.41) and in shots per outing (4.88), third in points per tilt (1.94), fifth in goals per game (0.82), sixth in total points (33), seventh in total goals (14) and 48th in game-winning goals (3). Budler was 14th in goals against average (0.757) and 19th in shutouts (8).
Akron returns six starters in 2024, including 2023 All-BIG EAST Conference performers, seniors Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany) and Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario).
The Zips will also be bolstered by the return of key 2023 contributors in Budler, redshirt senior Dyson Clapier (Layton, Utah), Dobrijevic, juniors Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) and Wan Kamal.
Additionally, Jaaskelainen was tabbed by United Soccer Coaches among its Forwards to Watch List for 2024.
SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan comes into play against the Zips on Friday (Aug. 30) at 2-0-0 on the campaign following a 1-0 road triumph past No. 9 New Hampshire on Sunday (Aug. 25).
Redshirt senior Greyson Mercer leads the Broncos in goals (2), points (4), shots (5) and shots on goal (3) this season. Senior goalkeeper Colin Welsh owns seven saves en route to posting a 0.50 goals against average with one shutout.
The Broncos are ranked first in the NCAA in winning percentage (1.000), seventh in total assists (7), 15th in assists per contest (3.50), 18th in total points (15), 19th in goal differential (3), 29th in points per game (7.50), 31st in total goals (4), 36th in shutout percentage (0.50), 37th in goals against average (0.50), 41st in scoring offense (2.00) and 48th in save percentage (.875).
Individually, Mercer is rated 11th in the NCAA in total goals (2), 18th in goals per game (1.00) and 28th in total points (4) and 43rd in points per tilt (2.00), while redshirt senior Owen Smith is ranked seventh in total assists (2) and 11th in assists per match (1.00). Additionally, Welsh is ranked first in goalie minutes played (180:00), 15th in shutouts (1.0) and 46th in goals against average (0.50).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Western Michigan are squaring off for 52nd time in program history with the Zips owning a 39-7-5 series advantage. In the last encounter between the two schools, the Broncos edged Akron, 2-1, in the title game of the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Nov. 12, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
AKRON VERSUS MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE
• The Zips are meeting a team from the Missouri Valley Conference for the first time this season and 183rd time overall.
• Akron owns a 132-34-16 (.769) all-time record versus the current nine members of the Missouri Valley Conference.
• The Zips are 117-24-13 (.802) against former Mid-American Conference rivals Bowling Green, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.
• The Zips have outscored the competition, 442-144, in 182 meetings with schools from the Missouri Valley Conference.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 12, 2022 – AKRON, OHIO)
A first-half goal proved too much for 12th-rated Akron to overcome as Western Michigan claimed the Mid-American Conference Tournament title on the strength of a 2-1 victory over the Zips on Nov. 12, 2022, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Western Michigan garnered a lead they didn't relinquish with a third-minute tally (2:57) from Jaylen Shannon off an assist courtesy of Charlie Sharp. The Broncos extended their advantage to 2-0 at the 50:20 mark when Sharp delivered a tally off a corner kick from Carson Hodgson.
Overcoming playing an extended period of the second half a man down, Johnny Fitzgerald headed home his fourth goal of the season in the 78th minute (77:25) off an assist from Will Jackson to cut the Zips' deficit to 2-1.
Akron outshot the Broncos on the afternoon, 10-9, with Dyson Clapier directing the Zips with a game-high three shots. Fitzgerald and Jackson added two strikes apiece for Akron, while Mitch Budler registered a trio of saves in net for the Zips.
ZIPS IN SEASON OPENERS
Now in its 70th season of intercollegiate soccer in 2024, the Akron men's soccer team have posted a record of 42-19-9 overall in season openers since the Zips first took the field against Ohio Wesleyan on Oct. 8, 1955.
JAASKELAINEN NAMED TO TDS PRESEASON BEST XI SQUAD
Emil Jaaskelainen was named by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Preseason Best XI Third-Team squad.
AKRON NOTES
• Friday's game at Western Michigan marks the 300th contest in the career of Akron head coach Jared Embick.
• Thirteen of the 25 matches between Akron and Western Michigan with head coach Jared Embick on the Zips' sideline have resulted in a shutout, including seven of the last 16, with the Zips owning a 10-4-2 mark in those contests.
• The Zips own a 16-4-2 ledger in games versus the Broncos at the WMU Soccer Complex and have outscored Western Michigan, 55-20.
• Akron has scored two or more goals in 36 of 51 all-time meetings with Western Michigan.
• Mitch Budler is rated 14th among active career leaders in D1 in solo shutouts (14) 15th in goals against average (0.985) and 39th in goalie minutes played (3,287.62). Emil Jaaskelainen is first in D1 active leaders in points (101), goals (43), goals per tilt (0.66) and points per game (1.55), 15th in assists (15) and 41st in games played (65).
• Through 37 career games, GK Mitch Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 90 saves en route to owning a 1.01 goals against average on the strength of 15 shutouts.
• The Zips are 0-0-1 versus ranked teams this season following a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame (Aug. 22). 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).
• The Zips rated first in the NCAA in corner kicks (8.33), third in shots per game (18.56) and in shots on goal per contest (7.94), fourth in shutout percentage (.556) and in team goals against average (.667), 19th in goal differential (19), 25th in winning percentage (.694) and in save percentage (.782), 31st in total assists (36), 32nd in assists per game (2.00), 37th in total points (98), 41st in points per tilt (5.44), 45th in total goals (31) and 47th in scoring offense (1.72).
• Individually, Jason Shokalook finished second in the NCAA in shots on goal per match (2.41) and in shots per outing (4.88), third in points per tilt (1.94), fifth in goals per game (0.82), sixth in total points (33), seventh in total goals (14) and 48th in game-winning goals (3). Mitch Budler was 14th in goals against average (0.757) and 19th in shutouts (8).
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 33-22-9 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dyson Clapier is Akron's active career leaders in goals (14), points (40), shots (96), shots on goal (44) and game-winners (6), while ranking second in assists (12). Stefan Dobrijevic and Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal have scored five goals apiece.
• The Zips own a 133-57-33 mark over the last 12 seasons under head coach Jared Embick. Akron's 133 wins are ranked seventh in all of Division I.
• Under head coach Jared Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 27-13-6.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 101 of the squad's last 186 matches.
UP NEXT
Akron hosts Cleveland State on Monday (Sept. 2) at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
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