The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, September 23
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Saint Louis
Akron Hosts Saint Louis in Top 25 Showdown
September 22 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The 10th-ranked University of Akron men's soccer team welcomes No. 7 Saint Louis to FirstEnergy Stadium for a top 25 showdown on Tuesday (Sept. 23). The 7 p.m. match with the Billikens will be broadcast on ESPNU with Anthony Mazzini and Chad Welker on the call. ESPNU currently has a household reach of nearly 74 million homes.
Tickets for the contest against the Billikens 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 Saint Louis | Sept. 23 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPNU
HEAD COACHES
Saint Louis: Kevin Kalish (Saint Louis, 1999), Overall Record: 122-78-44 (14th Season), Record at Saint Louis: 73-32-30 (Eighth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 197-84-45 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 150-63-37 (13th Season)
SCOUTING SAINT LOUIS
Saint Louis enters action on Tuesday (Sept. 23) at 4-1-3 on the campaign, including 1-0-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, following a 1-0 victory at Duquesne on Saturday (Sept. 20).
The Billikens are led by freshman Theo Franca, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (4), shots on goal (6) and game-winners (2). Redshirt senior GK Jeremi Abonnel has recorded 22 saves and maintains a 0.38 goals against average on the strength of five shutouts.
As a team, Saint Louis is rated eighth in the NCAA in team goals against average (.375), 12th in save percentage (.880), 14th in shutout percentage (.625), 19th in corner kicks (6.50) and 46th in winning percentage (.688). Individually, Franca is ranked 14th in game-winners (2), while Abonnel is rated sixth in shutouts (5), ninth in goalie minutes played (720:00), 13th in goals against average (.375) and 17th in save percentage (.880).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Saint Louis for the 13th time in program history and first since the 2017 campaign with the Billikens leading the all-time series, 7-4-1. In the last meeting between the two schools, then No. 20 Akron and Saint Louis battled to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 16, 2017, in St. Louis, Mo. Akron is 3-0-1 in the last four encounters between the two programs.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 16, 2017 – ST. LOUIS, MO.)
No. 20 Akron men's soccer team ground out a 0-0 double-overtime draw at Saint Louis on Sept. 16, 2017, in St. Louis, Mo.
The Zips were outshot on the evening, 15-11, including 7-4 on goal.
Sam Gainford garnered a game-high four shots for Akron, while Stuart Holthusen added a three-shot performance for the Zips. Anthony Brown directed the Billikens with three shots, while three other Saint Louis players tallied two shots each.
Registering seven saves en route to earning the shutout for Akron was goalkeeper Ben Lundt. Making three stops for the Billikens was Sascha Otte.
Akron nearly won the game in the 110th minute (109:50) as only the Saint Louis defender clearing the ball off the line for a team save prevented Manuel Cordeiro's from netting the golden goal. The attempt marked the only shot in the period for either team.
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 marked Akron's 2025 BIG EAST debut. Since 1993, the Zips own a 26-3-4 mark in league openers.
ZIPS DROP 3-1 DECISION TO UCONN
Three unanswered second-half goals proved too much for eighth-rated Akron to overcome as UConn registered a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph on Friday (Sept. 19) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Akron opened the scoring when senior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) scored his team-leading third goal of the season in the 21st minute (20:13), assisted by senior Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio).
The Huskies responded to make it a 1-1 game on a goal from Sabri Hanni at the 56:59 mark, assisted by Balthazar Saunders and Nicolas Tomerius, before UConn went on top 2-1 on Saunders' 69th-minute goal (68:48).
The Huskies took a 3-1 lead with a goal from Preston Alessio at the 78:22 mark, assisted by Austin Brummett and Saunders. The goal capped the scoring in the match.
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 Sept. 13 in Burlington, Vt.
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 outshot the Catamounts in the second half,10-4, including 3-1 on goal, but were unable to net the equalizer
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) 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
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 260-76-53. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 249-82-53 (.717), Maryland, 240-85-58 (.702), North Carolina, 234-86-66 (.692), Indiana, 258-97-71 (.689) and Georgetown, 233-90-51 (.691). Akron made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of their last 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 36 times, including 20 of the past 24 seasons.
SEPTEMBER DOMINANCE
For the month, the Zips have been led by three goals and one assist from Jack Roman, while Stefan Dobrijevic and redshirt sophomore Caleb Borneo (Morgantown, W.Va.) have added two tallies each. Akron has outshot the opposition, 74-31, including 24-16 on frame. Mitch Budler has been stellar in goal for the Zips owning a 0.80 goal against average on the strength of 12 saves and three shutouts.
Over the last 23 seasons (2003-present), Akron boasts a 102-33-21 (.788) ledger in the month of September, including a 3-2 mark this fall.
ZIP TIDBITS
• The Zips are meeting Saint Louis for the 13th time in program history with Akron 3-0-1 in the last four encounters.
• Akron is hosting the Billikens at home for the first time since the Zips registered a 3-2 triumph past the then 14th-rated Billikens at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 11, 2015.
• Akron has outscored Saint Louis by a 11-7 margin in five previous home matches with the Billikens, including 7-2 since 2009, owning a 3-2 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have posted two or more goals in five of the 12 meetings between the two schools.
• The Zips' showdown with UConn marked 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.
• 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 Sept. 15.
• Mitch Budler was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 8, while Caleb Borneo 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 seven of eight tilts in 2025.
• The Zips have not allowed a first-half goal this season.
• Four different Akron reserves have accounted for goals this season for the Zips in sophomore Remi Agunbiade (Toronto, Ontario), 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.
• Eighteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including nine newcomers.
• Earning starts in their Akron debut at VCU were juniors Freddy Kossehasse (McKinney, Texas) and Paiva, freshman Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal) and junior Jack Sullivan (Potomac, Md.)
• Budler collected his 150th career save against UConn (Sept. 19, 2025) and enters play versus Saint Louis with 150 career stops.
• The Zips are rated sixth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.38), seventh in shutout percentage (.750), 14th in goals against average (0.50) , 27th in goal differential (8) and in total assists (16), 31st in assists per game (2.00), 32nd in shots per tilt (14.63), 46th in winning percentage (.688) and 48th in total points (40).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (6), ninth in goalie minutes played (720.00) 19th in goals against average (0.50). Additionally, Roman is 14th in game-winning goals (2).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (29), third in goalie minutes played (5,673.85), ninth in goals against average (.904), 28th in saves (150), 33rd in games played (64) and 35th in save percentage (.725). Additionally, Kamdem is 33rd in games played (64) and Dobrijevic is 40th in games played (63).
• Through 64 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 150 saves en route to owning a 0.91 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 5,763:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 33-5-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 34-6-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 50-9-6 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 (10), assists (13), points (33), shots (73), shots on goal (30) and game-winners (3). Dobrijevic, Borneo, Kamdem, Roman, Agunbiade and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored 10, three, three, three, two and two goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 150-63-37 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 30-15-7.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 114 of the squad's last 213 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 50 of its last 100 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 96-19-16 record in its last 130 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,684 to rank 15th 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 79-15-16 (.791) 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 103-50-33 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, (Bowie, Md.), Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang, Matthew Paiva, Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany) and Dylan Wilkinson.
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 visits Butler for a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday (Sept. 27).
Tickets for the contest against the Billikens 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 Saint Louis | Sept. 23 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | ESPNU
HEAD COACHES
Saint Louis: Kevin Kalish (Saint Louis, 1999), Overall Record: 122-78-44 (14th Season), Record at Saint Louis: 73-32-30 (Eighth Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 197-84-45 (16th Season), Record at Akron: 150-63-37 (13th Season)
SCOUTING SAINT LOUIS
Saint Louis enters action on Tuesday (Sept. 23) at 4-1-3 on the campaign, including 1-0-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, following a 1-0 victory at Duquesne on Saturday (Sept. 20).
The Billikens are led by freshman Theo Franca, who owns team-high marks in goals (2), points (4), shots on goal (6) and game-winners (2). Redshirt senior GK Jeremi Abonnel has recorded 22 saves and maintains a 0.38 goals against average on the strength of five shutouts.
As a team, Saint Louis is rated eighth in the NCAA in team goals against average (.375), 12th in save percentage (.880), 14th in shutout percentage (.625), 19th in corner kicks (6.50) and 46th in winning percentage (.688). Individually, Franca is ranked 14th in game-winners (2), while Abonnel is rated sixth in shutouts (5), ninth in goalie minutes played (720:00), 13th in goals against average (.375) and 17th in save percentage (.880).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Saint Louis for the 13th time in program history and first since the 2017 campaign with the Billikens leading the all-time series, 7-4-1. In the last meeting between the two schools, then No. 20 Akron and Saint Louis battled to a 0-0 draw on Sept. 16, 2017, in St. Louis, Mo. Akron is 3-0-1 in the last four encounters between the two programs.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (SEPT. 16, 2017 – ST. LOUIS, MO.)
No. 20 Akron men's soccer team ground out a 0-0 double-overtime draw at Saint Louis on Sept. 16, 2017, in St. Louis, Mo.
The Zips were outshot on the evening, 15-11, including 7-4 on goal.
Sam Gainford garnered a game-high four shots for Akron, while Stuart Holthusen added a three-shot performance for the Zips. Anthony Brown directed the Billikens with three shots, while three other Saint Louis players tallied two shots each.
Registering seven saves en route to earning the shutout for Akron was goalkeeper Ben Lundt. Making three stops for the Billikens was Sascha Otte.
Akron nearly won the game in the 110th minute (109:50) as only the Saint Louis defender clearing the ball off the line for a team save prevented Manuel Cordeiro's from netting the golden goal. The attempt marked the only shot in the period for either team.
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 marked Akron's 2025 BIG EAST debut. Since 1993, the Zips own a 26-3-4 mark in league openers.
ZIPS DROP 3-1 DECISION TO UCONN
Three unanswered second-half goals proved too much for eighth-rated Akron to overcome as UConn registered a come-from-behind 3-1 triumph on Friday (Sept. 19) at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Akron opened the scoring when senior Stefan Dobrijevic (Uniontown, Ohio) scored his team-leading third goal of the season in the 21st minute (20:13), assisted by senior Ashton Kamdem (West Chester, Ohio) and sophomore Jack Roman (Canfield, Ohio).
The Huskies responded to make it a 1-1 game on a goal from Sabri Hanni at the 56:59 mark, assisted by Balthazar Saunders and Nicolas Tomerius, before UConn went on top 2-1 on Saunders' 69th-minute goal (68:48).
The Huskies took a 3-1 lead with a goal from Preston Alessio at the 78:22 mark, assisted by Austin Brummett and Saunders. The goal capped the scoring in the match.
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 Sept. 13 in Burlington, Vt.
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 outshot the Catamounts in the second half,10-4, including 3-1 on goal, but were unable to net the equalizer
Redshirt senior GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) 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
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 260-76-53. The Zips are followed by Wake Forest, 249-82-53 (.717), Maryland, 240-85-58 (.702), North Carolina, 234-86-66 (.692), Indiana, 258-97-71 (.689) and Georgetown, 233-90-51 (.691). Akron made 12 straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2007-18), earning a first-round bye in eight seasons. The Zips have advanced to the NCAA's Round of 16 in eight of their last 13 NCAA Tournament appearances. Since 1961, the Zips have advanced to the NCAA postseason 36 times, including 20 of the past 24 seasons.
SEPTEMBER DOMINANCE
For the month, the Zips have been led by three goals and one assist from Jack Roman, while Stefan Dobrijevic and redshirt sophomore Caleb Borneo (Morgantown, W.Va.) have added two tallies each. Akron has outshot the opposition, 74-31, including 24-16 on frame. Mitch Budler has been stellar in goal for the Zips owning a 0.80 goal against average on the strength of 12 saves and three shutouts.
Over the last 23 seasons (2003-present), Akron boasts a 102-33-21 (.788) ledger in the month of September, including a 3-2 mark this fall.
ZIP TIDBITS
• The Zips are meeting Saint Louis for the 13th time in program history with Akron 3-0-1 in the last four encounters.
• Akron is hosting the Billikens at home for the first time since the Zips registered a 3-2 triumph past the then 14th-rated Billikens at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sept. 11, 2015.
• Akron has outscored Saint Louis by a 11-7 margin in five previous home matches with the Billikens, including 7-2 since 2009, owning a 3-2 mark in those contests.
• The Zips have posted two or more goals in five of the 12 meetings between the two schools.
• The Zips' showdown with UConn marked 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.
• 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 Sept. 15.
• Mitch Budler was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 8, while Caleb Borneo 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 seven of eight tilts in 2025.
• The Zips have not allowed a first-half goal this season.
• Four different Akron reserves have accounted for goals this season for the Zips in sophomore Remi Agunbiade (Toronto, Ontario), 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.
• Eighteen Zips have registered a shot this season, including nine newcomers.
• Earning starts in their Akron debut at VCU were juniors Freddy Kossehasse (McKinney, Texas) and Paiva, freshman Jose Pedro (Porto, Portugal) and junior Jack Sullivan (Potomac, Md.)
• Budler collected his 150th career save against UConn (Sept. 19, 2025) and enters play versus Saint Louis with 150 career stops.
• The Zips are rated sixth in the NCAA in corner kicks (7.38), seventh in shutout percentage (.750), 14th in goals against average (0.50) , 27th in goal differential (8) and in total assists (16), 31st in assists per game (2.00), 32nd in shots per tilt (14.63), 46th in winning percentage (.688) and 48th in total points (40).
• Individually, Budler is rated first in the NCAA in shutouts (6), ninth in goalie minutes played (720.00) 19th in goals against average (0.50). Additionally, Roman is 14th in game-winning goals (2).
• Budler is rated second among NCAA D1 active leaders in career shutouts (29), third in goalie minutes played (5,673.85), ninth in goals against average (.904), 28th in saves (150), 33rd in games played (64) and 35th in save percentage (.725). Additionally, Kamdem is 33rd in games played (64) and Dobrijevic is 40th in games played (63).
• Through 64 career games, Budler has been dominant in net for Akron having recorded 150 saves en route to owning a 0.91 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 5,763:51.
• Since 2021, the Zips own 33-5-9 record in regular season home games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Since 2010, the Zips are 34-6-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium in regular season conference games. Overall, during that span, including postseason, Akron boasts a 50-9-6 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 (10), assists (13), points (33), shots (73), shots on goal (30) and game-winners (3). Dobrijevic, Borneo, Kamdem, Roman, Agunbiade and redshirt sophomore Nathan Ferguson (Glen Carbon, Ill.) have scored 10, three, three, three, two and two goals, respectively.
• The Zips own a 150-63-37 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 30-15-7.
• The Zips have scored two or more goals in 114 of the squad's last 213 matches.
• Akron has held opponents scoreless in 50 of its last 100 home contests at FirstEnergy Stadium.
• Akron owns a 96-19-16 record in its last 130 home matches.
• The Zips average attendance in 2025 is 1,684 to rank 15th 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 79-15-16 (.791) 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 103-50-33 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, (Bowie, Md.), Logan LaMaina (Sellersville, Pa.), Farrel Ngongang, Matthew Paiva, Malte Schmaus (Hammersbach, Germany) and Dylan Wilkinson.
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 visits Butler for a 7 p.m. tilt on Saturday (Sept. 27).
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/ Men's Soccer2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. UConn - 9/19/25
Saturday, September 20
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer - Post-Game Comments at Vermont - 9/13/25
Sunday, September 14
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan - 9/9/2025
Wednesday, September 10
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Cleveland State - 9/1/2025
Tuesday, September 02
