Friday, September 15
Akron, Ohio
7:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
Providence
No. 3 Akron Opens BIG EAST Play Hosting Providence
September 14 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, Ohio – The third-rated University of Akron men's soccer team opens a new era in Zips Soccer as Akron kicks off BIG EAST Conference play welcoming Providence to FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday (Sept. 15) for a 7 p.m. tilt.
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Providence | Sept. 15 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
PARKING UPDATE
Akron fans are strongly encouraged to park in Lot 1 (Parking Garage) at the corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets off Route 8 for all Akron fall home sporting events due to construction on Exchange Street in Akron. For fans traveling using Route 8 North to campus please be advised that the Carroll Street exit off Route 8 is temporarily closed and to please allow extra time getting to campus.
HEAD COACHES
Providence: Craig Stewart (Foreign College, 2002), Overall Record: 160-82-36 (15th Season), Record at Providence: 109-74-30 (12th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 176-75-33 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 129-54-25 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Providence on Friday (Sept. 15) at 5-0-1 on the campaign following a 2-0 triumph past No. 11 Florida International on Monday (Sept. 11).
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (3), assists (2), points (8) and shots on goal (7). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) shares the team-lead for goals (3) and shots on goal (7), while pacing the squad in game-winners (2). Additionally, junior Gyuwon Chong (Kansas City, Mo.) leads the team in shots (16). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and redshirt freshman Seth Wilson (Frisco, Texas) have combined to collect 16 saves and own a 0.33 goals against average with four shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), third in shots per game (18.00), sixth in team goals against average (0.33), winning percentage (.917), goal differential (11) and save percentage (.895), eighth in shots on goal per contest (7.33) and shutout percentage (.667), 12th in total goals (13), 13th in total assists (13), 14th in total points (39), 23rd in points per tilt (6.50), 27th in assists per game (2.17), 28th in scoring offense (2.17) and 31st in corner kicks (6.33).
Individually, Josef Paulus is rated seventh in the country in game-winning goals (2) and 48th in total goals (3), while Jason Shokalook is 42nd in total points (8), 43rd in points per contest (1.60), 46th in shots per game (3.00) and 48th in total goal (3) and game-winning goals (1). MItch Budler and Seth Wilson are sixth in the NCAA in goals against average (.033) and in save percentage (0.89) and 25th in shutouts (2).
Overall, Akron returns 11 starters in 2023 from a squad that registered a 11-4-5 overall record, including a 5-0-3 ledger in league play. Headlining that group is 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, junior Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany), Clapier and redshirt junior Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), Jackson, senior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Shokalook and junior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history.
ZIPS SET TO JOIN BIG EAST
The Zips will make their Big East Conference debut versus Providence on Friday (Sept. 15) as part of an eight-game schedule that will culminate with the league's tournament running Nov. 4-12.
CLAPIER NAMED TO MAC HERMANN TROPHY LIST
Dyson Clapier added another accolade to his growing resume with his selection on Aug. 24 to the 2023 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List.
Clapier is one of 37 men tabbed for consideration for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.
AKRON RECEIVES MULTIPLE PRESEASON ACCOLADES
• Dyson Clapier and Joel Sangwa were tabbed by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Preseason Best XI First Team
• Clapier was selected as a Preseason All-BIG EAST honoree
• The United Soccer Coaches honored Dyson Clapier, redshirt senior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio), Joel Sangwa and Jason Shokalook on its National Players to Watch lists.
SCOUTING PROVIDENCE
Providence enters its match versus Akron on Friday (Sept. 15) at 2-3-0 on the season, including 0-0 in the BIG EAST, following a 3-2 setback at UMass on Sept. 9.
Senior Brendan McSorley leads the Friars in goals (3), points (6), shots (15), shots on goal (6) and game-winners (2). Senior GK Lukas Burns has recorded 18 saves this season and maintains a 2.00 goals against average with one shutouts.
As a team, Providence is rated 37th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.00).
Individually, McSorley is rated seventh in the NCAA in game-winning goals (2*), 46th in shots per game (3.00) and 48th in total goals (3*), while Burns is ranked 49th in goalie minutes played (450:00) and freshman Pearce O'Brien is 20th in total assists (3) and 29th in assists per contest (0.60).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Providence for the first time in program history.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased now by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
GAME INFO
Akron vs. Providence | Sept. 15 | 7 PM | FirstEnergy Stadium | Live Stats | FloSports
PARKING UPDATE
Akron fans are strongly encouraged to park in Lot 1 (Parking Garage) at the corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets off Route 8 for all Akron fall home sporting events due to construction on Exchange Street in Akron. For fans traveling using Route 8 North to campus please be advised that the Carroll Street exit off Route 8 is temporarily closed and to please allow extra time getting to campus.
HEAD COACHES
Providence: Craig Stewart (Foreign College, 2002), Overall Record: 160-82-36 (15th Season), Record at Providence: 109-74-30 (12th Season)
Akron: Jared Embick (Indiana Wesleyan, 2000), Overall Record: 176-75-33 (14th Season), Record at Akron: 129-54-25 (11th Season)
SCOUTING AKRON
The Zips under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jared Embick enters its showdown versus Providence on Friday (Sept. 15) at 5-0-1 on the campaign following a 2-0 triumph past No. 11 Florida International on Monday (Sept. 11).
Junior Jason Shokalook (Erie, Pa.) owns team-high marks in goals (3), assists (2), points (8) and shots on goal (7). Senior Josef Paulus (Hinckley, Ohio) shares the team-lead for goals (3) and shots on goal (7), while pacing the squad in game-winners (2). Additionally, junior Gyuwon Chong (Kansas City, Mo.) leads the team in shots (16). Redshirt sophomore GK Mitch Budler (Lincoln, Neb.) and redshirt freshman Seth Wilson (Frisco, Texas) have combined to collect 16 saves and own a 0.33 goals against average with four shutouts this season.
The Zips are rated first in the NCAA in penalty kicks (1.000), third in shots per game (18.00), sixth in team goals against average (0.33), winning percentage (.917), goal differential (11) and save percentage (.895), eighth in shots on goal per contest (7.33) and shutout percentage (.667), 12th in total goals (13), 13th in total assists (13), 14th in total points (39), 23rd in points per tilt (6.50), 27th in assists per game (2.17), 28th in scoring offense (2.17) and 31st in corner kicks (6.33).
Individually, Josef Paulus is rated seventh in the country in game-winning goals (2) and 48th in total goals (3), while Jason Shokalook is 42nd in total points (8), 43rd in points per contest (1.60), 46th in shots per game (3.00) and 48th in total goal (3) and game-winning goals (1). MItch Budler and Seth Wilson are sixth in the NCAA in goals against average (.033) and in save percentage (0.89) and 25th in shutouts (2).
Overall, Akron returns 11 starters in 2023 from a squad that registered a 11-4-5 overall record, including a 5-0-3 ledger in league play. Headlining that group is 2022 All-Mid-American Conference performers, junior Jonas Buechte (Rantigen, Germany), Clapier and redshirt junior Johnny Fitzgerald (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior Malik Henry (Hamilton, Ontario), Jackson, senior Joel Sangwa (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Shokalook and junior Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (Carbondale, Ill.), from a team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 35th time in program history.
ZIPS SET TO JOIN BIG EAST
The Zips will make their Big East Conference debut versus Providence on Friday (Sept. 15) as part of an eight-game schedule that will culminate with the league's tournament running Nov. 4-12.
CLAPIER NAMED TO MAC HERMANN TROPHY LIST
Dyson Clapier added another accolade to his growing resume with his selection on Aug. 24 to the 2023 Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Watch List.
Clapier is one of 37 men tabbed for consideration for the MAC Hermann Trophy, which is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer recognizing the National Player of the Year as determined by the voting of Division I coaches who are members of United Soccer Coaches.
AKRON RECEIVES MULTIPLE PRESEASON ACCOLADES
• Dyson Clapier and Joel Sangwa were tabbed by TopDrawerSoccer.com to its Preseason Best XI First Team
• Clapier was selected as a Preseason All-BIG EAST honoree
• The United Soccer Coaches honored Dyson Clapier, redshirt senior Will Jackson (Hudson, Ohio), Joel Sangwa and Jason Shokalook on its National Players to Watch lists.
SCOUTING PROVIDENCE
Providence enters its match versus Akron on Friday (Sept. 15) at 2-3-0 on the season, including 0-0 in the BIG EAST, following a 3-2 setback at UMass on Sept. 9.
Senior Brendan McSorley leads the Friars in goals (3), points (6), shots (15), shots on goal (6) and game-winners (2). Senior GK Lukas Burns has recorded 18 saves this season and maintains a 2.00 goals against average with one shutouts.
As a team, Providence is rated 37th in the NCAA in corner kicks (6.00).
Individually, McSorley is rated seventh in the NCAA in game-winning goals (2*), 46th in shots per game (3.00) and 48th in total goals (3*), while Burns is ranked 49th in goalie minutes played (450:00) and freshman Pearce O'Brien is 20th in total assists (3) and 29th in assists per contest (0.60).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron is meeting Providence for the first time in program history.
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased now by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
