The University of Akron men's soccer team opens the 2025 season this evening. Follow live updates here as the Zips host Northern Kentucky.
The University of Akron Zips men's soccer team (1-0) returns to FirstEnergy Stadium for its home opener at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 against Northern Kentucky (1-0).
Akron, an NCAA Tournament participant last season, is led by coach Jared Embick and features 15 returnees and 15 newcomers this season.
Here are some pregame notes about the Zips.
Where is Akron ranked in the United Soccer Coaches national poll?
Akron is ranked No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches national poll after posting a 12-5-4 record last season.
Reigning national champion Vermont is ranked No. 1 and Marshall is ranked No. 2 after finishing as national runner-up. The other two national semifinalists from last season, Ohio State and Denver, are third and fourth, respectively.
Five of the Akron's 2025 opponents are ranked in the preseason top 25, led by No. 1 Vermont, No. 3 Ohio State, No. 16 West Virginia, No. 20 Western Michigan and No. 22 Cornell.
Akron returns three starters: senior goalkeeper Mitch Budler (51 saves, nine shutouts), junior defender Ashton Kamdem (two assists) and sophomore midfielder Matt Dreas (one goal, one assist).
Akron lost eight starters from 2024, including Emil Jaaskelainen, who scored an NCAA-best 23 goals to go with eight assists. He was the unanimous Big East Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club's (MAC) Hermann Trophy Finalist, which is the most prestigious individual award in college soccer.
Jaaskelainen, Victor Gaulmin (five goals, nine assists), Dyson Clapier (five goals, eight assists), Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal (four goals, six assists), Malik Henry (two assists, nine assists), Jonas Buechte (one goal, one assist) and Beto Ydrach (three assists) completed their eligibility. Josh Hardin (one assist) transferred to Pittsburgh.
Henry (Toronto), Jaaskelainen (St. Louis) and Clapier (Orlando) are with MLS franchises.
Akron opens men's soccer season with win over VCU
Akron opened the regular season with a 3-0 win at Virginia Commonwealth on Aug. 21.
Senior reserve Stefan Dobrijevic, a Firestone graduate, converted a penalty kick in the 40th minute. He had two goals and four assists last year.
Redshirt sophomore reserve Tyler Morck netted a goal in the 63rd minute, with sophomore Jack Roman and freshman reserve Farrel Ngongang each getting an assist. Ngongang contributed a goal in the 66th minute, with Dobrijevic and redshirt sophomore Caleb Borneo assisting. Budler recorded a shutout with one save.
Who are the projected starters for the Akron men's soccer team?
Akron's starting 11 against VCU were Budler at goalkeeper; Kamdem and newcomers Freddy Kossehasse, Matthew Paiva and Jose Pedro as defenders; Dreas, Borneo, Roman, Connor Filsinger and newcomer Jack Sullivan in the midfield; and Nathan Ferguson at forward.
Dobrijevic, Morck, Ngongang, Abdi Bahur, Remi Agunbiade, Braxton Hayes and Jamai Royer logged minutes as reserves.
Akron Zips tabbed to win Big East Midwest Division men's soccer championship
The Big East Conference announced its 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll with No. 21 Akron selected to finish atop the Midwest Division and No. 25 Georgetown tabbed to win the East Division. The Zips were the overall Big East regular-season champion last year.
Akron led the Midwest Division with 65 points and 10 first-place votes in the coaches poll. Creighton (57 points, two first-place votes). Xavier (41), Marquette (34), DePaul (26) and Butler (23) rounded out the Midwest.
Georgetown, the 2024 Big East tournament champion, topped the East Division poll with 65 points and 10 first-place votes. Providence (56 points, two first-place votes), St John's (45), Connecticut (34), Seton Hall (30) and Villanova (16) rounded out the East.
Akron goalkeeper Mitch Budler earns preseason accolades
Budler was voted as the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year by the league coaches in its preseason rankings and is one of 12 players named to the Preseason All-Big East Team.
Budler, the Big East Goalkeeper of the Year in 2024, was also named in the United Soccer Coaches Goalkeepers to Watch and selected for 2025 MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. He is one of 29 players in the country tabbed for consideration for the MAC Hermann Trophy.
Budler was a 2024 United Soccer Coaches Third-Team All-America honoree after starting all 21 games for Akron. He recorded a 0.93 goals against average and a Big East-leading nine shutouts with a .729 save percentage.
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at [email protected] and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's soccer score vs. Northern Kentucky live updates
Category: General Sports
