No. 8 Akron Opens BIG EAST Play Hosting UConn

Friday, September 19

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

UConn

Tickets

Photo by: Leo He

September 18 | Men's Soccer

AKRON, Ohio – The eighth-rated University of Akron men's soccer team opens BIG EAST Conference play welcoming UConn to FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday (Sept. 19). The 7 p.m. match with the Huskies will be broadcast on ESPN+ with John Higgins on the call.

Tickets for the contest against the Huskies 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 UConn | Sept. 19 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPN+

HEAD COACHES
UConn: Chris Gbandi (UConn, 2002), Overall Record: 61-71-23 (10th Season), Record at UConn: 29-19-13 (Fourth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 197-83-45 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 150-62-37 (13th Season)

SCOUTING UCONN
Connecticut enters action on Friday (Sept. 19) at 5-0-3 on the campaign, including 0-0-0 in the BIG EAST Conference, following a 1-1 draw versus Harvard on Sept. 13.

The Huskies are led by senior Austin Brummett, who owns team-high marks in goals (6), points (12), and game-winners (3), while redshirt senior Balthazar Saunders paces the squad in shots (20) and shots on goal (10). Redshirt sophomore GK Kyle Durham has recorded 35 saves and maintains a 0.50 goals against average on the strength of four shutouts.

As the team, UConn is rated ninth in the NCAA in total assists (19), 11th in goal differential (11) and save percentage (.900), 15th in team goals against average (.500), 16th in total points (49), 20th in total goals (15), winning percentage (.813) and assists per match (2.38), 31st in points per game (6.13) and saves per tilt (4.50), 34th in shutout percentage (.500), 39th in scoring offense (1.88), 49th in shots per outing (14.00) and 50th in shots on goal (5.88). Individually, Brummett is ranked third in game-winning goals (3), fifth in total goals (6), 12th in goals per game (0.86), 13th in total points (12) and 22nd in points per match (1.71), while Durham is rated first in goalie minutes played (720:00), eighth in shutouts (4), 17th in save percentage (.897), 25th in goals against average (0.50) and 32nd in saves per tilt (4.38).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting UConn for the fourth time in program history with the series square at three draws apiece. In the last meeting between the two schools, No. 13 Akron and the Huskies battled to a 0-0 draw on Nov. 2, 2024, in Storrs, Conn. The Zips and UConn also finished in a 3-3 draw in the third round of the NCAA Tournament in Storrs, Conn., on Nov. 27, 2005, before the Zips advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3, while also garnering as 3-3 draw at Connecticut on Aug. 31, 2001.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 2, 2024 – STORRS, CONN.)
No. 13 Akron culminated its regular season campaign battling UConn to a 0-0 draw on Nov. 2, 2024, in Storrs, Conn.

Both sides played through a scoreless opening stanza with UConn owning a 5-2 margin in shots. Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal registered the lone shot on goal in the match for either side in the 33rd minute (32:37).

The Huskies outshot the Zips, 8-4, with Akron recording the lone shot on goal. Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) recorded his eight shutout of the season for the Zips without having to make a save.

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 IN CONFERENCE OPENERS (SINCE 1993)
The Zips' contest versus UConn marks Akron's 2025 BIG EAST debut. Since 1993, the Zips own a 26-2-4 mark in league openers.

AKRON FALLS AT NO. 5 VERMONT, 1-0
In a battle of top five programs, third-rated Akron statistically dominated No. 5 Vermont before falling 1-0 on the road on Saturday (Sept. 13).

The two sides battled through a scoreless opening half where shots were at a premium with the Zips outshooting the Catamounts, 3-1.

Vermont garnered what proved to be the game-winning tally in the 48th minute (47:25) when David Ismail found the back of the net. The goal was the first the Zips have surrendered on the campaign.

Akron outshout the Catamounts in the second half,10-4, including 3-1 on goal, but were unable to net the equalizer

Mitch Budler led Akron with one save. The Zips registered 13 shots in the loss, three of them on goal. Akron held Vermont to only five shots with just two shots on goal

ZIPS ROLL PAST WESTERN MICHIGAN, 4-0
Third-rated Akron ran away with a 4-0 shutout victory past Western Michigan on Sept. 9 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Akron opened the scoring when sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio) notched his second goal of the season in the 17th minute (16:55) finding the back of the net from 15 yards out.

The Zips scored again on a goal from Roman, his third goal on the campaign, and first career brace, at the 19:48 mark, courtesy of assists seniors Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) and Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio).

Akron expanded its lead to 3-0 on Dobrijevic's successful penalty kick in the 53rd-minute (52:36).

The Zips kept Western Michigan scoreless and took a 4-0 lead on the first career goal from freshman Braxton Hayes (Bowie, Md.) at the 72:12 mark. Junior Jack Sullivan (Potomac, Md.) assisted on the goal.

ROMAN NAMED TO BIG EAST HONOR ROLL
Akron's Jack Roman was honored by the BIG EAST Conference as a member of its Men's Soccer Honor Roll, the league announced on Monday (Sept. 15).

Roman turned in a strong week for the Zips registering team-highs in goals (2), points (4), shots (6), shots on goal (2) and game-winners (1).

In a 4-0 win for the Zips over Western Michigan, Roman posted his first career brace netting goals in the 17th (16:55) and 20th (19:46) minutes, respectively. His tally at the 16:55 mark proved to be the game-winner in Akron's sixth consecutive shutout to open the campaign. He finished the contest with a game-high four shots, including a pair on goal. Roman followed with a two-shot effort at No. 5 Vermont.

A LEGACY OF SUCCESS
Since 2007, the Akron men's soccer program has posted the highest winning percentage in the nation (.738), with an overall record of 260-75-53. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 249-81-53 (.719), Maryland, 239-85-58 (.702), North Carolina, 234-86-65 (.692), Indiana, 257-97-71 (.688) and Georgetown, 232-90-51 (.690). 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.

ZIP TIDBITS
• The Zips are meeting UConn for the fourth time in program history with all three previous encounters resulting in a draw.
• Akron is hosting the Huskies at FirstEnergy Stadium for the first time in program history.
• The two teams were scheduled to meet during the 2018 campaign at FirstEnergy Stadium, but the impending landfall of Hurricane Florence in the Northeast forced the cancellation of the match.
• The Zips' showdown with UConn marks the 250th game for head coach Jared Embick at Akron.
• On the strength of a 4-0 shutout victory past Western Michigan (Sept. 9), Akron equaled its 2010 squad for the most consecutive clean sheets to open the campaign with six.
• Jack Roman garnered his first career multi-goal performance with a grace against Western Michigan (Sept. 9).
• Freshman Dylan Wilkinson (Bradford, England) made his collegiate debut versus Western Michigan (Sept. 9).
• The 4-0 win for the Zips over Western Michigan (Sept. 9) marked the 150th triumph for head coach Jared Embick at Akron.
• Mitch Budler was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 8, while redshirt sophomore Caleb Borneo (Morgantown, W.Va.) was selected to the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
• Akron junior Matthew Paiva (Toronto, Ontario) was honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced on Sept. 2.
• Freshman Farrel Ngongang (Montreal, Quebec) was honored by the BIG EAST Conference as its Men's Soccer Freshman of the Week on Aug. 25.
• Stefan Dobrijevic and Ashton Kamdem were named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll (Aug. 25).
• The Zips are 1-1-1 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) and a 1-0 setback at No. Vermont (Sept. 13).
• The Zips recorded a season-best 20 shots at VCU (Aug. 24).
• Akron have posted double-digit shots in six of seven tilts in 2025.
• Four different Akron reserves have accounted for goals this season for the Zips in Remi Agunbiade, Dobrijevic, Ngongang and redshirt sophomore Tyler Morck (Bethpage, N.Y.).
• Roman collected his first career goal versus Cleveland State (Sept. 1), while Morck and Ngongang each recorded their first career goals as a Zip at VCU (Aug. 21).
• Akron garnered assists from Borneo, Dobrijevic, Ngongang and Roman in a 3-0 victory by the Zips over VCU.
• Six different Zips have scored a goal this season, including a pair of newcomers.
• Seventeen Zips have registered a shot this season, including eight newcomers.
• Earning starts in their Akron debut at VCU were juniors Freddy Kossehasse (McKinney, Texas) and Paiva, Jose Pedro and Jack Sullivan.
• Budler collected his 100th career save against Butler (Sept. 20, 2024) and enters play versus UConn with 147 career stops.
• The Zips are rated fourth in the NCAA in goals against average (0.14) and shutout percentage (.857), sixth in corner kicks (7.43), eighth in save percentage (.923), 14th in goal differential (10), 24th in winning percentage (.786), 29th in total assists (14), 35th in assists per game (2.00) and in shots per tilt (14.71), 37th in total points (36) and 48th in total goals (11).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (6), fourth in goals against average (0.14), eighth in goalie minutes played (630.00) and 12th in save percentage (0.923). Roman is eighth in game-winning goals (2) and Dobrijevic is 41st in total assists (3).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (29), third in goalie minutes played (5,583.85), eighth in goals against average (.870), 30th in saves (147), 31st in save percentage (.731) and 35th in games played (63). Additionally, Kamdem is 35th in games played (63) and Dobrijevic is 40th in games played (62).
• Through 63 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 147 saves en route to owning a 0.88 goals against average on the strength of 29 shutouts.
• Budler surpassed 5,000 career minutes in goal at VCU (Aug. 21) having been in net for 5,583:51.
• The Zips were 2-2-2 versus ranked teams last season following a 2-1 overtime loss at No. 6 Indiana, 1-0 victory past No. 8 Princeton as well as a 2-1 overtime setback against No. 24 Georgetown, a 1-1 draw at No. 2 Notre Dame, a 1-1 tie at No. 5 Western Michigan and a 4-0 triumph past No. 13 VCU.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 33-4-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 34-5-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 50-8-6 mark versus league foes at home.
• Since the start of the 2015 campaign, the Zips own a 36-25-11 mark against ranked opponents.
• Dobrijevic is Akron's active career leaders in goals (9), assists (13), points (31), shots (68), shots on goal (27) and game-winners (3). Dobrijevic, Borneo, Kamdem, Roman, Agunbiade and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored nine, three, three, three, two and two goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 150-62-37 mark over the last 13 seasons under Embick. Akron's 150 wins are ranked eighth in all of Division I.
• Under Embick, Akron's record following a loss is 30-14-7.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 114 of the squad's last 212 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 50 of its last 99 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 96-18-16 record in its last 130 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,617 to ranked 14th 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 79-14-16 (.798) 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 103-49-33 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 15-MEMBER RECRUITING CLASS
Akron under the leadership of 13th-year head coach Jared Embick, boast a talented 15-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, Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang, Matthew Paiva, Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany) and Dylan Wilkinson (Bradford, England).

The nine players are part of Akron's 2025 signing class joining six members in Aljaz Dodig (Ljubljana, Slovenia), 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 hosts No. 7 Saint Louis in a 7:00 p.m. showdown at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday (Sept. 23).