The University of Akron Athletics
2023 Akron Men's Soccer Roster
Sangwa, Joel
Jersey Number 23
Joel Sangwa
- Position:
- Defender
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 164
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Phoenix, Ariz.
- High School:
- Modderham
- Prev School:
- Iowa Western CC
Bio
2023: Started all 18 games for Akron en route to posting a goal and two assists on the strength of eight shots, including four on goal...helped sparked the Zips' defensive efforts to register a conference-leading 10 shutouts on the campaign...netted goal at Creighton (Oct. 18)...tallied assist on game-winning goal in victory at Cleveland State (Oct. 10).
2023 ACCOLADES: Selected by United Soccer Coaches to its Defenders to Watch List...earned invitation to MLS College Showcase...No. 8 on TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Top-100 list...named to College Soccer News National Team of the Week (Aug. 28)...selected as BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (Aug. 28).
2022: Started all 20 games for Akron...registered four goals for eight points on the strength of eight shots, with four coming on net...netted goals at No. 18 Florida International, Northern Illinois, Chicago State and Western Michigan...helped the Zips’ defensive efforts to collect seven shutouts.
2022 ACCOLADES: Second-Team All-MAC honoree...Second-Team All-Region selection (United Soccer Coaches)...selected by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its 2022 Men's National Top-100 Upperclassmen Postseason (No. 58) and Midseason (No. 47) lists...First-Team All-Ohio...MAC Player of the Week (Oct. 13).
2020-2021 (IOWA WESTERN CC): Joined the Zips after playing at Iowa Western Community College, where he was a key starter for two seasons...helped the Reivers to back-to-back NJCAA National Championship appearances in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons, including winning the title in 2021 behind a 20-1-1 record.
PRIOR TO AKRON: Joined the Zips after playing the 2021 campaign at Iowa Western Community College, where he was a key starter for two seasons...helped the Reivers to back-to-back NJCAA National Championship appearances in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons...winning the title in 2021 behind a 20-1-1 record.
PERSONAL: Majoring in organizational supervision...son of Sam and Micheline Sangwa.
2023 ACCOLADES: Selected by United Soccer Coaches to its Defenders to Watch List...earned invitation to MLS College Showcase...No. 8 on TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Top-100 list...named to College Soccer News National Team of the Week (Aug. 28)...selected as BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week (Aug. 28).
2022: Started all 20 games for Akron...registered four goals for eight points on the strength of eight shots, with four coming on net...netted goals at No. 18 Florida International, Northern Illinois, Chicago State and Western Michigan...helped the Zips’ defensive efforts to collect seven shutouts.
2022 ACCOLADES: Second-Team All-MAC honoree...Second-Team All-Region selection (United Soccer Coaches)...selected by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its 2022 Men's National Top-100 Upperclassmen Postseason (No. 58) and Midseason (No. 47) lists...First-Team All-Ohio...MAC Player of the Week (Oct. 13).
2020-2021 (IOWA WESTERN CC): Joined the Zips after playing at Iowa Western Community College, where he was a key starter for two seasons...helped the Reivers to back-to-back NJCAA National Championship appearances in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons, including winning the title in 2021 behind a 20-1-1 record.
PRIOR TO AKRON: Joined the Zips after playing the 2021 campaign at Iowa Western Community College, where he was a key starter for two seasons...helped the Reivers to back-to-back NJCAA National Championship appearances in the Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 seasons...winning the title in 2021 behind a 20-1-1 record.
PERSONAL: Majoring in organizational supervision...son of Sam and Micheline Sangwa.
2025 Akron Zips Men's Soccer Post-Game Press Conference vs. Saint Louis - 9/23/25
Wednesday, September 24
2025 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
