The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, November 1
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Marquette
Akron Hosts Marquette in BIG EAST Showdown
October 31 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The 20th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes Marquette to FirstEnergy Stadium for a BIG EAST Conference showdown on Saturday (Nov. 1). The 6 p.m. match with the Golden Eagles will be broadcast on the Zips Digital Network with Chad Welker on the call.
Tickets for the contest against the Golden Eagles 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. Marquette | Nov. 1 | 6 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Zips Digital Network
HEAD COACHES
Marquette: David Korn (Arizona, 2007), Overall Record: 119-59-36 (11th Season), Record at Marquette: 13-12-6 (Second Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 201-85-47 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 154-64-39 (13th Season)
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
Marquette enters action against the Zips on Saturday (Nov. 1) at 7-5-2 on the campaign, including 1-5-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 4-1 win over DePaul on Oct. 25.
The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore Mads Konrad Horgøien, who owns team-high marks in goals (6), points (12) and game-winners (3), while junior Nico Pendleton paces the squad in shots (32) and shots on goal (13). Sophomore GK's Cameron Simpson and Marten Brink have combined to record 44 saves and maintain a 1.29 goals against average on the strength of four shutouts.
As a team, Marquette is rated 18th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.43), 23rd in shots per game (15.00), 27th in shots on goal (6.36), 42nd in assists per match (1.86), 46th in points per tilt (5.43) and 50th in total assists (26). Individually, Horgøien is ranked 20th in game-winning goals (3) and 38th in goals per game (0.50).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Marquette for the 16th time in program history with the Zips owning a 9-1-5 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron earned a 3-0 road triumph to secure the 2024 BIG EAST Conference regular season title on Oct. 26, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 26, 2024 – MILWAUKEE, WIS.)
No. 18 Akron held Marquette scoreless and earned a 3-0 shutout victory on Oct. 26, 2024, to capture the program's first-ever BIG EAST regular season title.
Akron grabbed a 1-0 lead when Emil Jaaskelainen scored the game-winner in the 13th minute (12:51), assisted by Malik Henry.
The Zips extended their advantage to 2-0 when Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal delivered a goal at the 61:59 mark, assisted by Dyson Clapier and senior Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio).
Jaaskelainen collected his eighth multi-goal game of the season with a 76th-minute (75:56) tally to give Akron a 3-0 lead.
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) totaled two saves for the Zips to go along with a pair of team saves out of six total shots by the Golden Eagles. Jaaskelainen and Clapier both recorded a game-high four shots.
DOBRIJEVIC MAKING RUN AT BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Senior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) has turned in a breakout season and has positioned himself as one of the leading contenders to earn BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year accolades. In six BIG EAST games for Akron, he has recorded four of his six goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (4), assists (4), points (12), shots (20), shots on goal (11) and game-winners (1). He delivered his first career multi-goal game in a 3-1 victory at Xavier (Oct. 25), while adding tallies versus DePaul (Oct. 11) and UConn (Sept. 19) and contributing assists in each of Akron's last three contests against DePaul (Oct. 11), Seton Hall (Oct. 17) and Xavier (Oct. 25).
Dobrijevic ranks first in the BIG EAST in assists per game (.600), third in points per contest (1.40), fourth in shots per tilt (2.67) and eighth in goals per outing (.400) and shots on goal (1.07). In league-only affairs, Dobrijevic leads the BIG EAST in assists per contest (.667), while rating second in points per game (2.00) and goals per match (.667), third in shots on goal (1.83) and fourth in shots per tilt (3.33).
Individually, Dobrijevic is fourth in the NCAA in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.60) and 28th in points per game (1.40).
DOBRIJEVIC HONORED AS BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stefan Dobrijevic was named by the BIG EAST Conference as its Offensive Player of the Week the league announced on Monday (Oct. 27).
Dobrijevic turned in a strong week for the Zips registering team-highs in goals (2), assists (1), points (5), shots (3), shots on goal (3) and game-winners (1) en route to registering his first ever multi-goal performance with a pair of tallies and an assist in Akron's 3-1 victory at Xavier, the first road triumph there since 1997.
AKRON TRIO GARNERS TDS MIDSEASON ACCOLADES
Akron's Mitch Budler, sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio) and freshman Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal) were recognized for their stellar campaigns when TopDrawerSoccer.com named its 2025 Men's National Top 100 Midseason Upperclassmen and Freshmen lists.
Budler and Roman were tabbed No. 36 and No. 71, respectively, on the midseason ranking, while Pedro was rated No. 11 on the freshmen list.
BUDLER NAMED TO MIDSEASON HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
Mitch Budler, the nation's leader in shutouts, was named to the 2025 Midseason Hermann Trophy Award Watch List the United Soccer Coaches announced on Oct. 10.
Budler has started all 15 games for Akron in 2025 en route to recording an NCAA-best nine shutouts. He also ranks 16th in the nation in goals against average (0.667) and 20th in goalie minutes played (1,350:00).
The 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler has recorded 32 saves this season in net. He ranks first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.667), shutouts (9) and third in save percentage (.752).
Budler is also second in D1 among active leaders in career shutouts (32), third in goalie minutes played (6,303.85), 15th in goals against average (.899), 25th in saves (167) and 43rd in save percentage (.726).
FIVE ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus DePaul on Oct. 11 marked Senior Night in the careers of Mitch Budler, Stefan Dobrijevic, Ashton Kamdem and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) as well as manager Yuga Takizawa.
Budler has started all 71 games of his Akron career en route to collecting 167 saves and owning a 0.90 goals against average on the strength of 32 shutouts.
Dobrijevic has appeared in 70 career games as a Zip, including 22 starts, recording 13 goals, 19 assists and 45 points on 94 shots, including 39 on goal, with four game-winning goals.
Kamdem has appeared in 71 career games as a Zip, including 59 starts, recording three goals, 10 assists and 16 points on the strength of registering 25 shots, including seven on frame. His defensive efforts have helped Akron record 35 shutouts over his four-year career.
Reilly has appeared in 46 career games as a Zip, including 16 starts, recording a goal on the strength of 10 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.
AKRON EXCELS PAST XAVIER, 3-1
No. 23 Akron got a pair of goals from Stefan Dobrijevic in a key 3-1 BIG EAST Conference victory at Xavier on Oct. 25. The triumph represented the 800th win in program history.
Akron took a 1-0 lead when Dobrijevic recorded his fifth goal of the season at the 12:38 mark off a successful penalty kick. The Zips increased their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Dobrijevic, his sixth goal of the season, in the 33rd minute (32:55), assisted by redshirt freshman Thomas O'Rourke (East Patchogue, N.Y.). The assist was the first career point for O'Rourke.
Xavier closed the gap to 2-1 on Cooper Forcellini's 39th-minute goal (38:39).
The Zips took a 3-1 lead with a 60th-minute (59:32) goal from sophomore Remi Agunbiade (Toronto, Ontario), his fifth goal of the season. Dobrijevic and redshirt sophomore Tyler Morck (Bethpage, N.Y.) assisted the goal. The score finished the 3-1 match.
ZIPS COLLECT 1-1 DRAW AT SETON HALL
No. 24 Akron played Seton Hall to a 1-1 draw on the road on Oct. 17 in South Orange, N.J.
Akron started the scoring when Remi Agunbiade notched his fourth goal of the season in the seventh minute (6:05), assisted by Stefan Dobrijevic and Ashton Kamdem.
The Pirates responded to tie things up on a goal from Mikkel Lejbowicz in the 39th minute (38:23).
Akron recorded an 11-8 edge in shots on the evening, including a 3-2 margin in shots on goal. Jack Roman registered a game-high four shots, while Agunbiade, Dobrijevic and Jose Pedro each tallied a pair of shots.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.736), with an overall record of 264-77-55. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 251-84-56 (.714), Maryland, 245-85-60 (.705), North Carolina, 238-88-67 (.691), Indiana, 263-100-71 (.688) and Georgetown, 238-91-52 (.693). 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.
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 95-18-19 (.792) ledger in the month, including a 53-8-7 (.831) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.
ZIP TIDBITS
• Eight of the 15 matches between Akron and Marquette have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 5-1-2 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Marquette, 20-10, in seven home games against the Golden Eagles.
• Akron is 4-0-3 in seven home games versus Marquette.
• Akron owns a 3-3-2 mark versus Top 100 teams in the latest NCAA RPI poll.
• Akron is rated No. 14 in the latest NCAA men's soccer RPI report on Oct. 30.
• The Zips' victory at Xavier (Oct. 25) represented the 800th triumph in program history as Akron enters its showdown versus Marquette with an 800-305-123 (.702) overall record.
• Redshirt freshman Thomas O'Rourke collected his first career point with a first-half assist on a Stefan Dobrijevic goal in a 3-1 win at Xavier (Oct. 25).
• 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 14 of 15 tilts in 2025.
• The Zips have allowed only three first-half goals this season.
• Nine different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including 10 newcomers.
• The Zips are rated fourth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.60), sixth in shutout percentage (.600), 11th in goals against average (0.667), 17th in total assists (34), 18th in assists per game (2.27), 29th in winning percentage (.700), 33rd in goal differential (14), 36th in shots per tilt (14.20), 42nd in total points (82)and 43rd in points per match (5.47).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (9), 16th in goals against average (0.667) and 20th in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,350:00). Additionally, Dobrijevic is fourth in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.60) and 28th in points per game (1.40).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (32), third in goalie minutes played (6,303.85), 15th in goals against average (.899), 25th in saves (167), 34th in games played (71) and 43rd in save percentage (.726). Additionally, Kamdem is 34th in games played (71) and Dobrijevic is 39th in games played (70).
• Through 71 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 167 saves en route to owning a 0.899 goals against average on the strength of 32 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 6,000 career minutes in goal vs. Cornell (Oct. 7) and has been in net for 6,303:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 35-6-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 35-7-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 51-10-6 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 (13), assists (19), points (45), shots (94), shots on goal (39) and game-winners (4). Dobrijevic, Agunbiade, Roman, Kamdem and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored 13, six, five, four, three and three goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 154-64-39 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 154 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 117 of the squad's last 220 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 51 of its last 103 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 98-20-16 record in its last 132 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,618 to rank 16th 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 82-16-17 (.787) 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 107-51-35 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 Creighton for a 7 p.m. ET showdown with the Bluejays on Friday (Nov. 7) in the regular season finale.
Tickets for the contest against the Golden Eagles 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. Marquette | Nov. 1 | 6 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | Zips Digital Network
HEAD COACHES
Marquette: David Korn (Arizona, 2007), Overall Record: 119-59-36 (11th Season), Record at Marquette: 13-12-6 (Second Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 201-85-47 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 154-64-39 (13th Season)
SCOUTING MARQUETTE
Marquette enters action against the Zips on Saturday (Nov. 1) at 7-5-2 on the campaign, including 1-5-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 4-1 win over DePaul on Oct. 25.
The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore Mads Konrad Horgøien, who owns team-high marks in goals (6), points (12) and game-winners (3), while junior Nico Pendleton paces the squad in shots (32) and shots on goal (13). Sophomore GK's Cameron Simpson and Marten Brink have combined to record 44 saves and maintain a 1.29 goals against average on the strength of four shutouts.
As a team, Marquette is rated 18th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.43), 23rd in shots per game (15.00), 27th in shots on goal (6.36), 42nd in assists per match (1.86), 46th in points per tilt (5.43) and 50th in total assists (26). Individually, Horgøien is ranked 20th in game-winning goals (3) and 38th in goals per game (0.50).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Marquette for the 16th time in program history with the Zips owning a 9-1-5 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron earned a 3-0 road triumph to secure the 2024 BIG EAST Conference regular season title on Oct. 26, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wis.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 26, 2024 – MILWAUKEE, WIS.)
No. 18 Akron held Marquette scoreless and earned a 3-0 shutout victory on Oct. 26, 2024, to capture the program's first-ever BIG EAST regular season title.
Akron grabbed a 1-0 lead when Emil Jaaskelainen scored the game-winner in the 13th minute (12:51), assisted by Malik Henry.
The Zips extended their advantage to 2-0 when Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal delivered a goal at the 61:59 mark, assisted by Dyson Clapier and senior Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio).
Jaaskelainen collected his eighth multi-goal game of the season with a 76th-minute (75:56) tally to give Akron a 3-0 lead.
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) totaled two saves for the Zips to go along with a pair of team saves out of six total shots by the Golden Eagles. Jaaskelainen and Clapier both recorded a game-high four shots.
DOBRIJEVIC MAKING RUN AT BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Senior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) has turned in a breakout season and has positioned himself as one of the leading contenders to earn BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year accolades. In six BIG EAST games for Akron, he has recorded four of his six goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (4), assists (4), points (12), shots (20), shots on goal (11) and game-winners (1). He delivered his first career multi-goal game in a 3-1 victory at Xavier (Oct. 25), while adding tallies versus DePaul (Oct. 11) and UConn (Sept. 19) and contributing assists in each of Akron's last three contests against DePaul (Oct. 11), Seton Hall (Oct. 17) and Xavier (Oct. 25).
Dobrijevic ranks first in the BIG EAST in assists per game (.600), third in points per contest (1.40), fourth in shots per tilt (2.67) and eighth in goals per outing (.400) and shots on goal (1.07). In league-only affairs, Dobrijevic leads the BIG EAST in assists per contest (.667), while rating second in points per game (2.00) and goals per match (.667), third in shots on goal (1.83) and fourth in shots per tilt (3.33).
Individually, Dobrijevic is fourth in the NCAA in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.60) and 28th in points per game (1.40).
DOBRIJEVIC HONORED AS BIG EAST OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stefan Dobrijevic was named by the BIG EAST Conference as its Offensive Player of the Week the league announced on Monday (Oct. 27).
Dobrijevic turned in a strong week for the Zips registering team-highs in goals (2), assists (1), points (5), shots (3), shots on goal (3) and game-winners (1) en route to registering his first ever multi-goal performance with a pair of tallies and an assist in Akron's 3-1 victory at Xavier, the first road triumph there since 1997.
AKRON TRIO GARNERS TDS MIDSEASON ACCOLADES
Akron's Mitch Budler, sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio) and freshman Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal) were recognized for their stellar campaigns when TopDrawerSoccer.com named its 2025 Men's National Top 100 Midseason Upperclassmen and Freshmen lists.
Budler and Roman were tabbed No. 36 and No. 71, respectively, on the midseason ranking, while Pedro was rated No. 11 on the freshmen list.
BUDLER NAMED TO MIDSEASON HERMANN TROPHY WATCH LIST
Mitch Budler, the nation's leader in shutouts, was named to the 2025 Midseason Hermann Trophy Award Watch List the United Soccer Coaches announced on Oct. 10.
Budler has started all 15 games for Akron in 2025 en route to recording an NCAA-best nine shutouts. He also ranks 16th in the nation in goals against average (0.667) and 20th in goalie minutes played (1,350:00).
The 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler has recorded 32 saves this season in net. He ranks first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.667), shutouts (9) and third in save percentage (.752).
Budler is also second in D1 among active leaders in career shutouts (32), third in goalie minutes played (6,303.85), 15th in goals against average (.899), 25th in saves (167) and 43rd in save percentage (.726).
FIVE ZIPS HONORED ON SENIOR NIGHT
The Zips' contest versus DePaul on Oct. 11 marked Senior Night in the careers of Mitch Budler, Stefan Dobrijevic, Ashton Kamdem and Daragh Reilly (Meath, Ireland) as well as manager Yuga Takizawa.
Budler has started all 71 games of his Akron career en route to collecting 167 saves and owning a 0.90 goals against average on the strength of 32 shutouts.
Dobrijevic has appeared in 70 career games as a Zip, including 22 starts, recording 13 goals, 19 assists and 45 points on 94 shots, including 39 on goal, with four game-winning goals.
Kamdem has appeared in 71 career games as a Zip, including 59 starts, recording three goals, 10 assists and 16 points on the strength of registering 25 shots, including seven on frame. His defensive efforts have helped Akron record 35 shutouts over his four-year career.
Reilly has appeared in 46 career games as a Zip, including 16 starts, recording a goal on the strength of 10 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.
AKRON EXCELS PAST XAVIER, 3-1
No. 23 Akron got a pair of goals from Stefan Dobrijevic in a key 3-1 BIG EAST Conference victory at Xavier on Oct. 25. The triumph represented the 800th win in program history.
Akron took a 1-0 lead when Dobrijevic recorded his fifth goal of the season at the 12:38 mark off a successful penalty kick. The Zips increased their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Dobrijevic, his sixth goal of the season, in the 33rd minute (32:55), assisted by redshirt freshman Thomas O'Rourke (East Patchogue, N.Y.). The assist was the first career point for O'Rourke.
Xavier closed the gap to 2-1 on Cooper Forcellini's 39th-minute goal (38:39).
The Zips took a 3-1 lead with a 60th-minute (59:32) goal from sophomore Remi Agunbiade (Toronto, Ontario), his fifth goal of the season. Dobrijevic and redshirt sophomore Tyler Morck (Bethpage, N.Y.) assisted the goal. The score finished the 3-1 match.
ZIPS COLLECT 1-1 DRAW AT SETON HALL
No. 24 Akron played Seton Hall to a 1-1 draw on the road on Oct. 17 in South Orange, N.J.
Akron started the scoring when Remi Agunbiade notched his fourth goal of the season in the seventh minute (6:05), assisted by Stefan Dobrijevic and Ashton Kamdem.
The Pirates responded to tie things up on a goal from Mikkel Lejbowicz in the 39th minute (38:23).
Akron recorded an 11-8 edge in shots on the evening, including a 3-2 margin in shots on goal. Jack Roman registered a game-high four shots, while Agunbiade, Dobrijevic and Jose Pedro each tallied a pair of shots.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.736), with an overall record of 264-77-55. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 251-84-56 (.714), Maryland, 245-85-60 (.705), North Carolina, 238-88-67 (.691), Indiana, 263-100-71 (.688) and Georgetown, 238-91-52 (.693). 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.
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 95-18-19 (.792) ledger in the month, including a 53-8-7 (.831) mark in matches at FirstEnergy Stadium.
ZIP TIDBITS
• Eight of the 15 matches between Akron and Marquette have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 5-1-2 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have outscored Marquette, 20-10, in seven home games against the Golden Eagles.
• Akron is 4-0-3 in seven home games versus Marquette.
• Akron owns a 3-3-2 mark versus Top 100 teams in the latest NCAA RPI poll.
• Akron is rated No. 14 in the latest NCAA men's soccer RPI report on Oct. 30.
• The Zips' victory at Xavier (Oct. 25) represented the 800th triumph in program history as Akron enters its showdown versus Marquette with an 800-305-123 (.702) overall record.
• Redshirt freshman Thomas O'Rourke collected his first career point with a first-half assist on a Stefan Dobrijevic goal in a 3-1 win at Xavier (Oct. 25).
• 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 14 of 15 tilts in 2025.
• The Zips have allowed only three first-half goals this season.
• Nine different Zips have scored a goal this season, including four newcomers.
• Nineteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including 10 newcomers.
• The Zips are rated fourth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.60), sixth in shutout percentage (.600), 11th in goals against average (0.667), 17th in total assists (34), 18th in assists per game (2.27), 29th in winning percentage (.700), 33rd in goal differential (14), 36th in shots per tilt (14.20), 42nd in total points (82)and 43rd in points per match (5.47).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (9), 16th in goals against average (0.667) and 20th in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,350:00). Additionally, Dobrijevic is fourth in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.60) and 28th in points per game (1.40).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (32), third in goalie minutes played (6,303.85), 15th in goals against average (.899), 25th in saves (167), 34th in games played (71) and 43rd in save percentage (.726). Additionally, Kamdem is 34th in games played (71) and Dobrijevic is 39th in games played (70).
• Through 71 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 167 saves en route to owning a 0.899 goals against average on the strength of 32 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 6,000 career minutes in goal vs. Cornell (Oct. 7) and has been in net for 6,303:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 35-6-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 35-7-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 51-10-6 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 (13), assists (19), points (45), shots (94), shots on goal (39) and game-winners (4). Dobrijevic, Agunbiade, Roman, Kamdem and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored 13, six, five, four, three and three goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 154-64-39 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 154 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 117 of the squad's last 220 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 51 of its last 103 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 98-20-16 record in its last 132 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,618 to rank 16th 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 82-16-17 (.787) 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 107-51-35 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 Creighton for a 7 p.m. ET showdown with the Bluejays on Friday (Nov. 7) in the regular season finale.
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/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Comments at Xavier - 10/25/25
Monday, October 27
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Comments at Seton Hall - 10/17/25
Monday, October 20
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. DePaul - 10/ 11/25
Sunday, October 12
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. St. John's - 10/3/25
Saturday, October 04
