The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, October 11
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
DePaul
Akron Hosts DePaul on Senior Night
October 10 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The 22nd-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes DePaul to FirstEnergy Stadium for Senior Night on Saturday (Oct. 11). The 6 p.m. match with the Blue Demons will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Higgins on the call.
Tickets for the contest against the Blue Demons 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. DePaul | Oct. 11 | 6 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
DePaul: Mark Plotkin (DePaul, 2010), Overall Record: 34-55-32 (Eighth Season), Record at DePaul: 82-49-14 (Eighth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 199-85-46 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 152-64-38 (13th Season)
SCOUTING DEPAUL
DePaul enters action against the Zips on Saturday (Oct. 11) at 2-4-6 on the campaign, including 0-2-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 2-2 draw at Bradley on Tuesday (Oct. 7).
The Blue Demons are led by junior Keagan Pace, who owns team-high marks in goals (4) and points (8), while junior Noeh Hernandez paces the squad in shots (42), shots on goal (14) and game-winners (1). DePaul has utilized three goalkeepers this year in senior Clayton Brooks, redshirt senior Santiago Davila and sophomore Hayden Vostal, who have combined to record 35 saves and maintain a 1.67 goals against average.
As a team, DePaul is rated seventh in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.00) and 12th in shots per game (16.58). Individually, Hernandez is ranked 12th in assists per match (3.50).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering DePaul for the fourth time in program history with the Zips owning a 3-0-0 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron bested the Blue Demons, 3-1, on Nov. 9, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium in the quarterfinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 9, 2024 – AKRON, OHIO)
No. 13 Akron got a pair of goals from Emil Jaaskelainen including the game-winner, in a 3-1 win over DePaul in the BIG EAST Championship Quarterfinals on Nov. 9, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Akron grabbed a 1-0 lead when Victor Gaulmin recorded a goal in the 27th minute (26:00), assisted by Malik Henry.
The Zips scored again on a goal from Jaaskelainen in the 30th minute (29:20), assisted by Beto Ydrach.
Akron built its lead to 3-0 on Jaaskelainen's goal at the 46:25 mark. Henry assisted the goal.
The Blue Demons cut into the Zips lead and made it a 3-1 game with a 64th-minute (63:56) goal from Logan Finnegan, assisted by Liam Mullins.
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) totaled one save for the Zips out of three total Blue Demons shots.
BUDLER NAMED TO MIDSEASON HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
Mitch Budler, the nation's leader in shutouts, has been named to the 2025 Midseason Hermann Trophy Award Watch List the United Soccer Coaches announced on Friday (Oct. 10).
Budler has started all 12 games for Akron in 2025 en route to recording an NCAA-best nine shutouts. He also ranks second in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,080:00), 11th in goals against average (0.50) and 24th in save percentage (.818).
The 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler has recorded 27 saves this season in net. He ranks first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.50), shutouts (9), second in save percentage (.818) and 10th in saves per game (2.25).
Budler is also first in D1 among active leaders in career shutouts (32), second in goalie minutes played (6,033.85), 10th in goals against average (.88), 24th in saves (162) and 38th in save percentage (.733).
FIVE ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 11), marks Senior Night in the careers of Mitch Budler, Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio), Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) as well as manager Yuga Takizawa.
Budler has started all 68 games of his Akron career en route to collecting 162 saves and owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of an NCAA-best 32 shutouts.
Dobrijevic has appeared in 67 career games as a Zip, including 19 starts, recording 10 goals, 15 assists and 35 points on 82 shots, including 31 on goal, with three game-winning goals.
Kamdem has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip, including 56 starts, recording three goals, nine assists and 15 points on the strength of registering 22 shots, including six on frame. His defensive efforts have helped Akron record 35 shutouts over his four-year career.
Reilly has appeared in 43 career games as a Zip, including 13 starts, recording a goal on the strength of nine shots, including three on net, while defensively sparking Akron to 28 shutouts.
HONORING LEGENDARY COACH STU PARRY
Akron men's soccer honored legendary men's soccer coach Stu Parry, who passed away peacefully on Aug. 15, prior to the squad's match versus Cleveland State (Sept. 1).
The first head coach in Akron men's program history, Parry began a decorated career guiding the Zips in 1955 and led the squad for 15 seasons en route to posting an enviable 118-43-4 record.
In those 15 years, Parry directed the Zips to nine Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Championships and developed 10 All-America soccer players, including Ed Bender, Fritz Kungl, Pete Milch, Joe Queiroga, Ford Brummer, Jim Malcolm and Eugene Alfred, and numerous All-Ohio and All-Midwest players.
In 1961, the Zips were invited to participate in their first NCAA post-season game. On five more occasions, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, and 1968, Akron earned NCAA invitations. In 1966 and 1968, Parry's fellow coaches honored him for his many years of devotion to and promotion of soccer by voting him the Ohio Soccer Coach of the Year.
ZIPS BATTLE NO. 13 CORNELL TO 0-0 DRAW
No. 22 Akron garnered a 0-0 draw at No. 13 Cornell on Tuesday (Oct. 7) in Ithaca, N.Y.
The Zips came out on the offensive in the opening half and posted a 7-4 edge in shots, including 2-1 on goal. Akron was unable to turn one of those strikes in a goal over the opening 45 minutes and entered the intermission locked in a scoreless draw.
The Big Red came out to open the second half and registered an 11-6 margin in shots, including 4-1 on frame.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net before the Zips were whistled for a foul in the box in the 81st minute (80:59) that resulted in a penalty kick. Mitch Budler was up to the task denying the penalty kick with a successful save to give Akron a chance at the equalizer.
The game-winning tally didn't come for either team as the match concluded with the 0-0 draw.
Stefan Dobrijevic posted a game-high five shots in the contest.
AKRON DROPS 2-1 DECISION TO ST. JOHN'S
Akron fell to St. John's, 2-1, on Oct. 3 at home at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The contest was a physical one from the start as the two teams were whistled for nine first-half fouls in a back-and-forth opening stanza.
Akron took a 1-0 lead when redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) recorded his first goal of the season in the 39th minute (38:31), assisted by freshman Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal) and sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio).
The physicality began to ramp up in the second half, but the Zips held the momentum in the match until the Red Storm leveled the match on a goal from Gabe Smyth at the 71:39 mark, assisted by Ivar Na Aga and Julian Jakopovic. St. John's then scored what proved to be the game-winning goal on Andrew Porucznik's 85th-minute goal (84:32), assisted by Gabin Thomelier.
Mitch Budler totaled three saves for the Zips out of 10 total Red Storm shots.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.735), with an overall record of 262-77-54. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 250-84-53 (.714), Maryland, 241-85-60 (.702), North Carolina, 236-86-67 (.693), Indiana, 259-99-71 (.686) and Georgetown, 235-91-52 (.691). Akron made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of their last 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 36 times, including 20 of the past 24 seasons.
SEPTEMBER DOMINANCE
For the month, the Zips have been led by four goals and one assist from Jack Roman, while Caleb Borneo, Stefan Dobrijevic and Remi Agunbiade have added three, two and two tallies, respectively. Akron has outshot the opposition, 104-44, including 36-20 on frame. Mitch Budler has been stellar in goal for the Zips owning a 0.57 goal against average on the strength of 16 saves and five shutouts.
Over the last 23 seasons (2003-present), Akron boasts a 104-33-21 (.725) ledger in the month of September, including a 5-2 mark this fall.
OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent success of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 19 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 93-18-18 (.791) ledger in the month, including a 52-8-7 (.828) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.
ZIP TIDBITS
• In the three previous meetings between Akron and DePaul, the Zips have posted a pair of 3-0 shutout victories, as well as a 3-1 triumph on Nov. 9, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• The Zips have outscored DePaul, 6-1, in a pair of home game against the Blue Demons.
• Two of the three matches between the two programs have resulted in a shutout.
• Akron is rated No. 20 in the latest NCAA men's soccer RPI report on Oct. 9.
• The Zips are 2-1-2 versus ranked teams this season following a 0-0 draw versus No. 8 West Virginia (Aug. 29), a 2-0 win at No. 16 Ohio State (Sept. 5), a 1-0 setback at No. 5 Vermont (Sept. 13), a 3-0 triumph past No. 8 Saint Louis (Sept. 23) and a 0-0 draw at No. 13 Cornell (Oct. 7).
• The Zips recorded a season-best 20 shots at VCU (Aug. 24).
• Akron have posted double-digit shots in 11 of 12 tilts in 2025.
• The Zips have not allowed a first-half goal this season.
• Seven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including a pair of newcomers.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including 10 newcomers.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in shutout percentage (.750), third in corner kicks (7.58), ninth in goals against average (0.500), 18th in total assists (24), 20th in save percentage (.818), 27th in assists per game (2.00) and in goal differential (11), 37th in shots per tilt (14.25), 44th in winning percentage (.667) and 45th in total points (58).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (9), second in goalie minutes played (1,080.00) 11th in goals against average (0.500) and 24th in save percentage (.818). Additionally, Agunbiade, Borneo and Roman are 33rd in game-winning goals (2) and Dobrijevic is 30th in total assists (5).
• Budler is rated first among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (32), second in goalie minutes played (6,033.85), 10th in goals against average (.88), 24th in saves (162), 32nd in games played (68) and 38th in save percentage (.733). Additionally, Kamdem is 32nd in games played (68) and Dobrijevic is 38th in games played (67).
• Through 68 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 162 saves en route to owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of 32 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 6,000 career minutes in goal vs. Cornell (Oct. 7) having been in net for 6,033:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 34-6-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 34-7-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 50-10-6 mark versus league foes at home.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 37-25-12 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dobrijevic is Akron's active career leaders in goals (10), assists (15), points (35), shots (82), shots on goal (31) and game-winners (3). Dobrijevic, Borneo, Roman, Agunbiade, Kamdem and Nathan Ferguson have scored 10, four, four, four, three and three goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 152-64-38 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 152 wins are ranked eighth in all of Division I.
• Under Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 31-15-8.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 115 of the squad's last 217 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 51 of its last 102 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 97-20-16 record in its last 131 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,651 to rank 17th nationally. In 2024 it was 1,098 fans per game, while in 2023 Akron ranked 13th nationally (1,699), while rating 17th nationally (1,290) in 2022, 13th (1,565) in 2021, 12th in 2019 and 16th in the country (1,419) in 2018. In 2016 and 2017, the Zips rated 10th nationally in attendance averaging 2,147 and 1,819 fans per contest, respectively.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 80-16-16 (.786) 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 105-51-34 record.
BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
The University of Akron men's soccer program opens its 71st season of intercollegiate soccer tabbed to finish as the top team in the Midwest Division of the BIG EAST Conference, including earning 10 first-place votes in the division.
ZIPS IN THE CLASSROOM
Academic success has been a staple for the Zips under head coach Jared Embick. Akron has posted a cumulative team GPA's of 3.0 or better in 23 of 25 semesters overall under Embick, including registering cumulative marks of 3.11, 3.39, 3.01, 3.05, 3.40, 3.316, 3.21, 3.02, 3.09, 3.20 and 3.37 during the 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15 campaigns, respectively.
AKRON UNVEILS TALENTED 14-MEMBER RECRUITING CLASS
Akron under the leadership of 13th-year head coach Jared Embick, boast a talented 14-member signing class for 2025.
Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Ignacio Alem (Potomac, Md.), Abdi Bahur (Toronto, Ontario), Gavin Crane (Hinckley, Ohio), Braxton Hayes, (Bowie, Md.), Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang, Matthew Paiva and Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany).
The nine players are part of Akron's 2025 signing class joining six members in Aljaz Dodig, Freddy Kossehasse, Tyler Morck, Jose Pedro, Jamai Royer (Markham, Ontario) and Jack Sullivan, that signed with the Zips prior to the spring semester.
DID YOU KNOW
• Zippy is just one of eight female-gendered college mascots in Division I athletics. Do you know the other seven? (YoUDee, the Delaware Blue Hen; Mrs. Wuf of N.C. State; Lucy Lobo of New Mexico; Sue E. Pig of Arkansas; Miss Pawla of South Alabama, Kate the Lion of Hofstra; and Wilma Wildcat of Arizona).
• One of the unique nicknames in collegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron.
• Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth "Red" Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletics teams.
• Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers.
• The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers, a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.
• The evolution of Zippy, UA's mascot, began 40 years ago when the student council decided the University needed a mascot.
• "Zippy" the kangaroo was officially declared the school's mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as "Zippy" was a 1965 Zip football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name "Zippy" came Sept. 24, 1965, in an identification of a photo of the cheerleaders listing "Mascot - 'Zippy' - Charles Huettner."
• In 2007, Zippy was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.
UP NEXT
Akron visits Seton Hall for a 7 p.m. match on Friday (Oct. 17) in South Orange, N.J.
Tickets for the contest against the Blue Demons 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. DePaul | Oct. 11 | 6 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
DePaul: Mark Plotkin (DePaul, 2010), Overall Record: 34-55-32 (Eighth Season), Record at DePaul: 82-49-14 (Eighth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 199-85-46 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 152-64-38 (13th Season)
SCOUTING DEPAUL
DePaul enters action against the Zips on Saturday (Oct. 11) at 2-4-6 on the campaign, including 0-2-1 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 2-2 draw at Bradley on Tuesday (Oct. 7).
The Blue Demons are led by junior Keagan Pace, who owns team-high marks in goals (4) and points (8), while junior Noeh Hernandez paces the squad in shots (42), shots on goal (14) and game-winners (1). DePaul has utilized three goalkeepers this year in senior Clayton Brooks, redshirt senior Santiago Davila and sophomore Hayden Vostal, who have combined to record 35 saves and maintain a 1.67 goals against average.
As a team, DePaul is rated seventh in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.00) and 12th in shots per game (16.58). Individually, Hernandez is ranked 12th in assists per match (3.50).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering DePaul for the fourth time in program history with the Zips owning a 3-0-0 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron bested the Blue Demons, 3-1, on Nov. 9, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium in the quarterfinal round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 9, 2024 – AKRON, OHIO)
No. 13 Akron got a pair of goals from Emil Jaaskelainen including the game-winner, in a 3-1 win over DePaul in the BIG EAST Championship Quarterfinals on Nov. 9, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Akron grabbed a 1-0 lead when Victor Gaulmin recorded a goal in the 27th minute (26:00), assisted by Malik Henry.
The Zips scored again on a goal from Jaaskelainen in the 30th minute (29:20), assisted by Beto Ydrach.
Akron built its lead to 3-0 on Jaaskelainen's goal at the 46:25 mark. Henry assisted the goal.
The Blue Demons cut into the Zips lead and made it a 3-1 game with a 64th-minute (63:56) goal from Logan Finnegan, assisted by Liam Mullins.
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) totaled one save for the Zips out of three total Blue Demons shots.
BUDLER NAMED TO MIDSEASON HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
Mitch Budler, the nation's leader in shutouts, has been named to the 2025 Midseason Hermann Trophy Award Watch List the United Soccer Coaches announced on Friday (Oct. 10).
Budler has started all 12 games for Akron in 2025 en route to recording an NCAA-best nine shutouts. He also ranks second in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,080:00), 11th in goals against average (0.50) and 24th in save percentage (.818).
The 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler has recorded 27 saves this season in net. He ranks first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.50), shutouts (9), second in save percentage (.818) and 10th in saves per game (2.25).
Budler is also first in D1 among active leaders in career shutouts (32), second in goalie minutes played (6,033.85), 10th in goals against average (.88), 24th in saves (162) and 38th in save percentage (.733).
FIVE ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus DePaul on Saturday (Oct. 11), marks Senior Night in the careers of Mitch Budler, Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio), Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) as well as manager Yuga Takizawa.
Budler has started all 68 games of his Akron career en route to collecting 162 saves and owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of an NCAA-best 32 shutouts.
Dobrijevic has appeared in 67 career games as a Zip, including 19 starts, recording 10 goals, 15 assists and 35 points on 82 shots, including 31 on goal, with three game-winning goals.
Kamdem has appeared in 68 career games as a Zip, including 56 starts, recording three goals, nine assists and 15 points on the strength of registering 22 shots, including six on frame. His defensive efforts have helped Akron record 35 shutouts over his four-year career.
Reilly has appeared in 43 career games as a Zip, including 13 starts, recording a goal on the strength of nine shots, including three on net, while defensively sparking Akron to 28 shutouts.
HONORING LEGENDARY COACH STU PARRY
Akron men's soccer honored legendary men's soccer coach Stu Parry, who passed away peacefully on Aug. 15, prior to the squad's match versus Cleveland State (Sept. 1).
The first head coach in Akron men's program history, Parry began a decorated career guiding the Zips in 1955 and led the squad for 15 seasons en route to posting an enviable 118-43-4 record.
In those 15 years, Parry directed the Zips to nine Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association Championships and developed 10 All-America soccer players, including Ed Bender, Fritz Kungl, Pete Milch, Joe Queiroga, Ford Brummer, Jim Malcolm and Eugene Alfred, and numerous All-Ohio and All-Midwest players.
In 1961, the Zips were invited to participate in their first NCAA post-season game. On five more occasions, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967, and 1968, Akron earned NCAA invitations. In 1966 and 1968, Parry's fellow coaches honored him for his many years of devotion to and promotion of soccer by voting him the Ohio Soccer Coach of the Year.
ZIPS BATTLE NO. 13 CORNELL TO 0-0 DRAW
No. 22 Akron garnered a 0-0 draw at No. 13 Cornell on Tuesday (Oct. 7) in Ithaca, N.Y.
The Zips came out on the offensive in the opening half and posted a 7-4 edge in shots, including 2-1 on goal. Akron was unable to turn one of those strikes in a goal over the opening 45 minutes and entered the intermission locked in a scoreless draw.
The Big Red came out to open the second half and registered an 11-6 margin in shots, including 4-1 on frame.
Neither side was able to find the back of the net before the Zips were whistled for a foul in the box in the 81st minute (80:59) that resulted in a penalty kick. Mitch Budler was up to the task denying the penalty kick with a successful save to give Akron a chance at the equalizer.
The game-winning tally didn't come for either team as the match concluded with the 0-0 draw.
Stefan Dobrijevic posted a game-high five shots in the contest.
AKRON DROPS 2-1 DECISION TO ST. JOHN'S
Akron fell to St. John's, 2-1, on Oct. 3 at home at FirstEnergy Stadium.
The contest was a physical one from the start as the two teams were whistled for nine first-half fouls in a back-and-forth opening stanza.
Akron took a 1-0 lead when redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) recorded his first goal of the season in the 39th minute (38:31), assisted by freshman Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal) and sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio).
The physicality began to ramp up in the second half, but the Zips held the momentum in the match until the Red Storm leveled the match on a goal from Gabe Smyth at the 71:39 mark, assisted by Ivar Na Aga and Julian Jakopovic. St. John's then scored what proved to be the game-winning goal on Andrew Porucznik's 85th-minute goal (84:32), assisted by Gabin Thomelier.
Mitch Budler totaled three saves for the Zips out of 10 total Red Storm shots.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.735), with an overall record of 262-77-54. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 250-84-53 (.714), Maryland, 241-85-60 (.702), North Carolina, 236-86-67 (.693), Indiana, 259-99-71 (.686) and Georgetown, 235-91-52 (.691). Akron made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of their last 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 36 times, including 20 of the past 24 seasons.
SEPTEMBER DOMINANCE
For the month, the Zips have been led by four goals and one assist from Jack Roman, while Caleb Borneo, Stefan Dobrijevic and Remi Agunbiade have added three, two and two tallies, respectively. Akron has outshot the opposition, 104-44, including 36-20 on frame. Mitch Budler has been stellar in goal for the Zips owning a 0.57 goal against average on the strength of 16 saves and five shutouts.
Over the last 23 seasons (2003-present), Akron boasts a 104-33-21 (.725) ledger in the month of September, including a 5-2 mark this fall.
OWNING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER
The recent success of the Akron men's soccer program over the past 19 seasons (2007-present) can be attributed to its play in the month of October. Since the start of the 2007 campaign, the Zips own a 93-18-18 (.791) ledger in the month, including a 52-8-7 (.828) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.
ZIP TIDBITS
• In the three previous meetings between Akron and DePaul, the Zips have posted a pair of 3-0 shutout victories, as well as a 3-1 triumph on Nov. 9, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• The Zips have outscored DePaul, 6-1, in a pair of home game against the Blue Demons.
• Two of the three matches between the two programs have resulted in a shutout.
• Akron is rated No. 20 in the latest NCAA men's soccer RPI report on Oct. 9.
• The Zips are 2-1-2 versus ranked teams this season following a 0-0 draw versus No. 8 West Virginia (Aug. 29), a 2-0 win at No. 16 Ohio State (Sept. 5), a 1-0 setback at No. 5 Vermont (Sept. 13), a 3-0 triumph past No. 8 Saint Louis (Sept. 23) and a 0-0 draw at No. 13 Cornell (Oct. 7).
• The Zips recorded a season-best 20 shots at VCU (Aug. 24).
• Akron have posted double-digit shots in 11 of 12 tilts in 2025.
• The Zips have not allowed a first-half goal this season.
• Seven different Zips have scored a goal this season, including a pair of newcomers.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including 10 newcomers.
• The Zips are rated second in the NCAA in shutout percentage (.750), third in corner kicks (7.58), ninth in goals against average (0.500), 18th in total assists (24), 20th in save percentage (.818), 27th in assists per game (2.00) and in goal differential (11), 37th in shots per tilt (14.25), 44th in winning percentage (.667) and 45th in total points (58).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (9), second in goalie minutes played (1,080.00) 11th in goals against average (0.500) and 24th in save percentage (.818). Additionally, Agunbiade, Borneo and Roman are 33rd in game-winning goals (2) and Dobrijevic is 30th in total assists (5).
• Budler is rated first among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (32), second in goalie minutes played (6,033.85), 10th in goals against average (.88), 24th in saves (162), 32nd in games played (68) and 38th in save percentage (.733). Additionally, Kamdem is 32nd in games played (68) and Dobrijevic is 38th in games played (67).
• Through 68 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 162 saves en route to owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of 32 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 6,000 career minutes in goal vs. Cornell (Oct. 7) having been in net for 6,033:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 34-6-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 34-7-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 50-10-6 mark versus league foes at home.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 37-25-12 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dobrijevic is Akron's active career leaders in goals (10), assists (15), points (35), shots (82), shots on goal (31) and game-winners (3). Dobrijevic, Borneo, Roman, Agunbiade, Kamdem and Nathan Ferguson have scored 10, four, four, four, three and three goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 152-64-38 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 152 wins are ranked eighth in all of Division I.
• Under Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 31-15-8.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 115 of the squad's last 217 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 51 of its last 102 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 97-20-16 record in its last 131 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,651 to rank 17th nationally. In 2024 it was 1,098 fans per game, while in 2023 Akron ranked 13th nationally (1,699), while rating 17th nationally (1,290) in 2022, 13th (1,565) in 2021, 12th in 2019 and 16th in the country (1,419) in 2018. In 2016 and 2017, the Zips rated 10th nationally in attendance averaging 2,147 and 1,819 fans per contest, respectively.
• Since 2007, Akron maintains a league record of 80-16-16 (.786) 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 105-51-34 record.
BIG EAST PRESEASON POLL
The University of Akron men's soccer program opens its 71st season of intercollegiate soccer tabbed to finish as the top team in the Midwest Division of the BIG EAST Conference, including earning 10 first-place votes in the division.
ZIPS IN THE CLASSROOM
Academic success has been a staple for the Zips under head coach Jared Embick. Akron has posted a cumulative team GPA's of 3.0 or better in 23 of 25 semesters overall under Embick, including registering cumulative marks of 3.11, 3.39, 3.01, 3.05, 3.40, 3.316, 3.21, 3.02, 3.09, 3.20 and 3.37 during the 2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15 campaigns, respectively.
AKRON UNVEILS TALENTED 14-MEMBER RECRUITING CLASS
Akron under the leadership of 13th-year head coach Jared Embick, boast a talented 14-member signing class for 2025.
Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Ignacio Alem (Potomac, Md.), Abdi Bahur (Toronto, Ontario), Gavin Crane (Hinckley, Ohio), Braxton Hayes, (Bowie, Md.), Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang, Matthew Paiva and Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany).
The nine players are part of Akron's 2025 signing class joining six members in Aljaz Dodig, Freddy Kossehasse, Tyler Morck, Jose Pedro, Jamai Royer (Markham, Ontario) and Jack Sullivan, that signed with the Zips prior to the spring semester.
DID YOU KNOW
• Zippy is just one of eight female-gendered college mascots in Division I athletics. Do you know the other seven? (YoUDee, the Delaware Blue Hen; Mrs. Wuf of N.C. State; Lucy Lobo of New Mexico; Sue E. Pig of Arkansas; Miss Pawla of South Alabama, Kate the Lion of Hofstra; and Wilma Wildcat of Arizona).
• One of the unique nicknames in collegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron.
• Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth "Red" Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletics teams.
• Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers.
• The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers, a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.
• The evolution of Zippy, UA's mascot, began 40 years ago when the student council decided the University needed a mascot.
• "Zippy" the kangaroo was officially declared the school's mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as "Zippy" was a 1965 Zip football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name "Zippy" came Sept. 24, 1965, in an identification of a photo of the cheerleaders listing "Mascot - 'Zippy' - Charles Huettner."
• In 2007, Zippy was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.
UP NEXT
Akron visits Seton Hall for a 7 p.m. match on Friday (Oct. 17) in South Orange, N.J.
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/ Men's Soccer2026 Akron Zips Day of Giving (Dr. Andrew T. Goodrich) - Mid Day Message
Wednesday, April 22
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2026 Akron Zips Day of Giving (Dr. Tim Meyers)
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2026 Akron Zips Day of Giving (Men's Soccer)
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