The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, November 7
Omaha, Neb.
7:00 PM ET
University of Akron
at
Creighton
Akron Battles Creighton for BIG EAST Midwest Division Crown
November 06 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The 18th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team travels to Omaha, Neb., for a BIG EAST Conference showdown at Creighton on Friday (Nov. 1). The 7 p.m. ET match with the Bluejays will be broadcast on ESPN+. The winner of the match claims the BIG EAST Midwest Division title and the No. 2 tournament seed.
GAME INFO
Akron at Creighton | Nov. 7 | 7 PM ET | Omaha, Neb. | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Creighton: Johnny Torres (Creighton, 2008), Overall Record: 57-42-23 (Seventh Season), Record at Creighton: 57-42-23 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 202-85-47 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 155-64-39 (13th Season)
SCOUTING CREIGHTON
Creighton enters action against the Zips on Friday (Nov. 7) at 8-3-4 on the campaign, including 4-1-2 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 1-1 draw versus Seton Hall on Nov. 1.
The Bluejays are led by junior Miguel Arilla, who owns team-high marks in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (37), shots on goal (17) and game-winners (2). Redshirt freshman GK's Matthew Hudson has recorded 47 saves and maintains a 1.00 goals against average on the strength of seven shutouts.
As a team, Creighton is rated 33rd in the NCAA in corner kicks (5.87), 35th in shutout percentage (.467), 43rd in shots per game (14.07) and winning percentage (.667) and 50th in goals against average (1.00). Individually, Hudson is ranked 23rd in shutouts (7).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Creighton for the ninth time in program history with the Zips owning a 4-2-2 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron posted a 3-0 home victory past the Bluejays on Oct. 23, 2024.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 23, 2024 – AKRON, OHIO)
No. 18 Akron captured its first-ever BIG EAST Midwest Division title on the strength of a 3-0 victory over Creighton on Oct. 23, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Emil Jaaskelainen drew a penalty kick for the Zips in the 32nd minute (31:48) when he was knocked down in the box for a foul. Jaaskelainen had to momentarily leave the field after the foul setting the stage for senior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) to enter the game and calmly strike what proved to be the game-winning goal in the back of the net for the Zips.
Akron maintained the 1-0 lead into the intermission outshooting Creighton in the opening stanza, 7-2.
The Zips extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Jaaskelainen at the 56:41 mark, assisted by Victor Gaulmin and Dyson Clapier.
Less than two minutes later in the 59th minute (58:24), Jaaskelainen netted a goal to help Akron extend its lead to 3-0 courtesy of assists from Gaulmin and junior Matt Dreas (Covington, Ky.).
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) totaled four saves for the Zips out of four total shots by the Bluejays en route to collecting the clean sheet.
BUDLER AND DOBRIJEVIC EARN BIG EAST WEEKLY ACCOLADES
Mitch Budler and Stefan Dobrijevic were honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Goalkeeper and Offensive Player of the Week the league announced on Monday (Nov. 3).
Budler continued his stellar campaign leading the Zips to a key BIG EAST Conference victory with a 2-0 triumph over Marquette. Budler directed the defensive efforts for Akron pulling in four saves in the match, a pair of stops in each half, en route to recording his NCAA-leading 10th shutout of the season.
Dobrijevic turned in a strong week for the Zips registering team-highs in goals (2), points (4), shots (4), shots on goal (3) and game-winners (1). He registered his second straight multi-goal performance with a pair of tallies in Akron's 2-0 victory over Marquette.
DOBRIJEVIC MAKING RUN AT BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Stefan Dobrijevic 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 seven BIG EAST games for Akron, he has recorded six of his eight goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (23), shots on goal (14) and game-winners (2). He has delivered multi-goal games in a 3-1 victory at Xavier (Oct. 25) and a 2-0 victory past Marquette (Nov. 1), while adding tallies versus DePaul (Oct. 11) and UConn (Sept. 19) and contributing assists in three of Akron's last four contests against DePaul (Oct. 11), Seton Hall (Oct. 17) and Xavier (Oct. 25).
Dobrijevic ranks first in the BIG EAST in assists per game (.563), second in points per contest (1.56), fourth in shots per tilt (2.75) and in goals per outing (.500) and fifth in shots on goal (1.19) and game-winners (.188). In league-only affairs, Dobrijevic leads the BIG EAST in assists per contest (.571), points per game (2.29) and goals per match (.857), second in game-winners (.286) and third in shots on goal (2.00) and in shots per tilt (3.43).
Individually, Dobrijevic is fifth in the NCAA in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.56), 13th in total points (25), 14th in points per tilt (1.56), 28th in points per game (1.40),32nd in total goals (8) and 43rd in goals per match (0.50).
DOBRIJEVIC HONORED ON TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Stefan Dobrijevic was named by the TopDrawerSoccer.com to its National Men's Soccer Team of the Week Honor Roll on Tuesday (Nov. 4).
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 16 games for Akron in 2025 en route to recording an NCAA-best 10 shutouts. He also ranks 11th in the nation in goals against average (0.625), 37th in save percentage (.783) and 39th in goalie minutes played (1,440:00).
The 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler has recorded 36 saves this season in net. He ranks first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.625), shutouts (10) and third in save percentage (.783).
Budler is also second in D1 among active leaders in career shutouts (33), third in goalie minutes played (6,393.85), 14th in goals against average (.887), 27th in saves (171) and 47th in save percentage (.731).
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 (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Navan, Ireland) as well as manager Yuga Takizawa.
Budler has started all 72 games of his Akron career en route to collecting 171 saves and owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of 33 shutouts.
Dobrijevic has appeared in 71 career games as a Zip, including 23 starts, recording 15 goals, 19 assists and 49 points on 97 shots, including 42 on goal, with five game-winning goals.
Kamdem has appeared in 72 career games as a Zip, including 60 starts, recording three goals, 11 assists and 17 points on the strength of registering 27 shots, including eight on frame. His defensive efforts have helped Akron record 36 shutouts over his four-year career.
Reilly has appeared in 47 career games as a Zip, including 17 starts, recording a goal on the strength of 10 shots, including three on net, while defensively sparking Akron to 29 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 EARN 2-0 WIN OVER MARQUETTE
No. 20 Akron got a pair of goals from Stefan Dobrijevic in a 2-0 shutout win against Marquette on Nov. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
After battling through a scoreless opening stanza, Akron took a 1-0 lead when Dobrijevic recorded his team-leading seventh goal of the season in the 61st minute (60:30) on a successful penalty kick.
The Zips added another score on a goal from Dobrijevic, his eighth goal on the campaign, at the 80:10 mark, assisted by Ashton Kamdem and freshman Braxton Hayes (Bowie, Md.).
Mitch Budler totaled four saves for the Zips out of 15 total Golden Eagles shots to notch his NCAA-leading 10th shutout of the season. Dobrijevic posted a game-high four shots for Akron, including three on net.
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.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.737), with an overall record of 265-77-55. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 252-85-56 (.712), Maryland, 246-85-60 (.706), North Carolina, 239-89-67 (.690), Indiana, 263-101-71 (.686) and Georgetown, 239-91-52 (.694). 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
• Three of the eight matches between Akron and Creighton have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 3-0-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have been outscored by Creighton, 6-4, in a trio of road games against the Bluejays.
• Defense has dominated the series between Akron and Creighton as neither team has scored more than one goal in four of the eight encounters.
• Akron owns a 3-3-3 mark versus Top 100 teams in the latest NCAA RPI poll.
• Akron is rated No. 11 in the latest NCAA men's soccer RPI report on Nov. 5.
• The Zips' victory at Xavier (Oct. 25) represented the 800th triumph in program history as Akron enters its showdown versus Creighton with an 801-305-123 (.702) overall record.
• 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 16 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.
• Budler collected his 150th career save against UConn (Sept. 19, 2025) and enters play versus Creighton with 171 career stops.
• The Zips are rated third in the NCAA in shutout percentage (.625), fifth in corner kicks (7.44), eighth in goals against average (0.625), 17th in assists per game (2.25), 18th in total assists (36), 23rd in winning percentage (.719), 28th in goal differential (16), 36th in shots per tilt (14.20), 37th in save percentage (.783), 44th in points per match (5.50) and 47th in total points (88).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (10), 11th in goals against average (0.625), 37th in save percentage (.783) and 39th in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,440:00). Additionally, Dobrijevic is fifth in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.56), 13th in total points (25), 14th in points per game (1.56), 24th in game-winners (3), 32nd in total goals (8) and 43rd in goals per tilt (0.50).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (33), third in goalie minutes played (6,393.85), 14th in goals against average (.887), 27th in saves (171), 34th in games played (72) and 47th in save percentage (.731). Additionally, Kamdem is 34th in games played (72) and Dobrijevic is 42n in games played (71).
• Through 72 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 171 saves en route to owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of 33 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 6,000 career minutes in goal vs. Cornell (Oct. 7) and has been in net for 6,393:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 36-6-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 36-7-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 52-10-6 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 (15), assists (19), points (49), shots (98), shots on goal (42) and game-winners (5). Dobrijevic, Agunbiade, Roman, Kamdem and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored 15, six, five, four, three and three goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 155-64-39 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 155 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 118 of the squad's last 221 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 52 of its last 104 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 99-20-16 record in its last 133 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,574 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 83-16-17 (.789) 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 108-51-35 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
The BIG EAST Tournament begins on Thursday (Nov. 13) in Boyds, Md.
GAME INFO
Akron at Creighton | Nov. 7 | 7 PM ET | Omaha, Neb. | Live Stats | ESPN+
HEAD COACHES
Creighton: Johnny Torres (Creighton, 2008), Overall Record: 57-42-23 (Seventh Season), Record at Creighton: 57-42-23 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 202-85-47 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 155-64-39 (13th Season)
SCOUTING CREIGHTON
Creighton enters action against the Zips on Friday (Nov. 7) at 8-3-4 on the campaign, including 4-1-2 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 1-1 draw versus Seton Hall on Nov. 1.
The Bluejays are led by junior Miguel Arilla, who owns team-high marks in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (37), shots on goal (17) and game-winners (2). Redshirt freshman GK's Matthew Hudson has recorded 47 saves and maintains a 1.00 goals against average on the strength of seven shutouts.
As a team, Creighton is rated 33rd in the NCAA in corner kicks (5.87), 35th in shutout percentage (.467), 43rd in shots per game (14.07) and winning percentage (.667) and 50th in goals against average (1.00). Individually, Hudson is ranked 23rd in shutouts (7).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is encountering Creighton for the ninth time in program history with the Zips owning a 4-2-2 series advantage. In the last meeting between the two schools, Akron posted a 3-0 home victory past the Bluejays on Oct. 23, 2024.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (OCT. 23, 2024 – AKRON, OHIO)
No. 18 Akron captured its first-ever BIG EAST Midwest Division title on the strength of a 3-0 victory over Creighton on Oct. 23, 2024, at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Emil Jaaskelainen drew a penalty kick for the Zips in the 32nd minute (31:48) when he was knocked down in the box for a foul. Jaaskelainen had to momentarily leave the field after the foul setting the stage for senior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) to enter the game and calmly strike what proved to be the game-winning goal in the back of the net for the Zips.
Akron maintained the 1-0 lead into the intermission outshooting Creighton in the opening stanza, 7-2.
The Zips extended their lead to 2-0 on a goal from Jaaskelainen at the 56:41 mark, assisted by Victor Gaulmin and Dyson Clapier.
Less than two minutes later in the 59th minute (58:24), Jaaskelainen netted a goal to help Akron extend its lead to 3-0 courtesy of assists from Gaulmin and junior Matt Dreas (Covington, Ky.).
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) totaled four saves for the Zips out of four total shots by the Bluejays en route to collecting the clean sheet.
BUDLER AND DOBRIJEVIC EARN BIG EAST WEEKLY ACCOLADES
Mitch Budler and Stefan Dobrijevic were honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Goalkeeper and Offensive Player of the Week the league announced on Monday (Nov. 3).
Budler continued his stellar campaign leading the Zips to a key BIG EAST Conference victory with a 2-0 triumph over Marquette. Budler directed the defensive efforts for Akron pulling in four saves in the match, a pair of stops in each half, en route to recording his NCAA-leading 10th shutout of the season.
Dobrijevic turned in a strong week for the Zips registering team-highs in goals (2), points (4), shots (4), shots on goal (3) and game-winners (1). He registered his second straight multi-goal performance with a pair of tallies in Akron's 2-0 victory over Marquette.
DOBRIJEVIC MAKING RUN AT BIG EAST PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
Stefan Dobrijevic 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 seven BIG EAST games for Akron, he has recorded six of his eight goals on the strength of team-high marks in goals (6), assists (4), points (16), shots (23), shots on goal (14) and game-winners (2). He has delivered multi-goal games in a 3-1 victory at Xavier (Oct. 25) and a 2-0 victory past Marquette (Nov. 1), while adding tallies versus DePaul (Oct. 11) and UConn (Sept. 19) and contributing assists in three of Akron's last four contests against DePaul (Oct. 11), Seton Hall (Oct. 17) and Xavier (Oct. 25).
Dobrijevic ranks first in the BIG EAST in assists per game (.563), second in points per contest (1.56), fourth in shots per tilt (2.75) and in goals per outing (.500) and fifth in shots on goal (1.19) and game-winners (.188). In league-only affairs, Dobrijevic leads the BIG EAST in assists per contest (.571), points per game (2.29) and goals per match (.857), second in game-winners (.286) and third in shots on goal (2.00) and in shots per tilt (3.43).
Individually, Dobrijevic is fifth in the NCAA in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.56), 13th in total points (25), 14th in points per tilt (1.56), 28th in points per game (1.40),32nd in total goals (8) and 43rd in goals per match (0.50).
DOBRIJEVIC HONORED ON TOPDRAWERSOCCER.COM NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Stefan Dobrijevic was named by the TopDrawerSoccer.com to its National Men's Soccer Team of the Week Honor Roll on Tuesday (Nov. 4).
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 16 games for Akron in 2025 en route to recording an NCAA-best 10 shutouts. He also ranks 11th in the nation in goals against average (0.625), 37th in save percentage (.783) and 39th in goalie minutes played (1,440:00).
The 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and 2024 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Budler has recorded 36 saves this season in net. He ranks first in the BIG EAST Conference in goals against average (0.625), shutouts (10) and third in save percentage (.783).
Budler is also second in D1 among active leaders in career shutouts (33), third in goalie minutes played (6,393.85), 14th in goals against average (.887), 27th in saves (171) and 47th in save percentage (.731).
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 (West Chester, Ohio) and Daragh Reilly (Navan, Ireland) as well as manager Yuga Takizawa.
Budler has started all 72 games of his Akron career en route to collecting 171 saves and owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of 33 shutouts.
Dobrijevic has appeared in 71 career games as a Zip, including 23 starts, recording 15 goals, 19 assists and 49 points on 97 shots, including 42 on goal, with five game-winning goals.
Kamdem has appeared in 72 career games as a Zip, including 60 starts, recording three goals, 11 assists and 17 points on the strength of registering 27 shots, including eight on frame. His defensive efforts have helped Akron record 36 shutouts over his four-year career.
Reilly has appeared in 47 career games as a Zip, including 17 starts, recording a goal on the strength of 10 shots, including three on net, while defensively sparking Akron to 29 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 EARN 2-0 WIN OVER MARQUETTE
No. 20 Akron got a pair of goals from Stefan Dobrijevic in a 2-0 shutout win against Marquette on Nov. 1 at FirstEnergy Stadium.
After battling through a scoreless opening stanza, Akron took a 1-0 lead when Dobrijevic recorded his team-leading seventh goal of the season in the 61st minute (60:30) on a successful penalty kick.
The Zips added another score on a goal from Dobrijevic, his eighth goal on the campaign, at the 80:10 mark, assisted by Ashton Kamdem and freshman Braxton Hayes (Bowie, Md.).
Mitch Budler totaled four saves for the Zips out of 15 total Golden Eagles shots to notch his NCAA-leading 10th shutout of the season. Dobrijevic posted a game-high four shots for Akron, including three on net.
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.
A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.737), with an overall record of 265-77-55. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 252-85-56 (.712), Maryland, 246-85-60 (.706), North Carolina, 239-89-67 (.690), Indiana, 263-101-71 (.686) and Georgetown, 239-91-52 (.694). 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
• Three of the eight matches between Akron and Creighton have resulted in a shutout, with the Zips owning a 3-0-0 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have been outscored by Creighton, 6-4, in a trio of road games against the Bluejays.
• Defense has dominated the series between Akron and Creighton as neither team has scored more than one goal in four of the eight encounters.
• Akron owns a 3-3-3 mark versus Top 100 teams in the latest NCAA RPI poll.
• Akron is rated No. 11 in the latest NCAA men's soccer RPI report on Nov. 5.
• The Zips' victory at Xavier (Oct. 25) represented the 800th triumph in program history as Akron enters its showdown versus Creighton with an 801-305-123 (.702) overall record.
• 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 16 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.
• Budler collected his 150th career save against UConn (Sept. 19, 2025) and enters play versus Creighton with 171 career stops.
• The Zips are rated third in the NCAA in shutout percentage (.625), fifth in corner kicks (7.44), eighth in goals against average (0.625), 17th in assists per game (2.25), 18th in total assists (36), 23rd in winning percentage (.719), 28th in goal differential (16), 36th in shots per tilt (14.20), 37th in save percentage (.783), 44th in points per match (5.50) and 47th in total points (88).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (10), 11th in goals against average (0.625), 37th in save percentage (.783) and 39th in the nation in goalie minutes played (1,440:00). Additionally, Dobrijevic is fifth in total assists (9), eighth in assist per contest (0.56), 13th in total points (25), 14th in points per game (1.56), 24th in game-winners (3), 32nd in total goals (8) and 43rd in goals per tilt (0.50).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (33), third in goalie minutes played (6,393.85), 14th in goals against average (.887), 27th in saves (171), 34th in games played (72) and 47th in save percentage (.731). Additionally, Kamdem is 34th in games played (72) and Dobrijevic is 42n in games played (71).
• Through 72 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 171 saves en route to owning a 0.89 goals against average on the strength of 33 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 6,000 career minutes in goal vs. Cornell (Oct. 7) and has been in net for 6,393:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 36-6-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 36-7-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 52-10-6 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 (15), assists (19), points (49), shots (98), shots on goal (42) and game-winners (5). Dobrijevic, Agunbiade, Roman, Kamdem and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored 15, six, five, four, three and three goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 155-64-39 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 155 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 118 of the squad's last 221 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 52 of its last 104 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 99-20-16 record in its last 133 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,574 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 83-16-17 (.789) 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 108-51-35 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
The BIG EAST Tournament begins on Thursday (Nov. 13) in Boyds, Md.
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/ Men's SoccerAkron Zips Men's Soccer - Stu Parry Tribute - Chapter 7 - Bill Parry
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Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Stu Parry Tribute - Chapter 6 - Pat Nash
Saturday, November 08
Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Stu Parry Tribute - Chapter 5 - John Kissner
Saturday, November 08
Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Stu Parry Tribute - Chapter 4 - Fritz Kungl
Saturday, November 08
