The UConn men’s soccer team (8-3-5, 3-2-2 Big East) may have already clinched a spot in the Big East Tournament, but they are still playing for a first-round home game as the top four teams in the conference host. However, the Huskies face their toughest challenge yet, with Akron (10-3-3, 7-0 Big East), No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, coming to Storrs.
There is no doubt that Akron has had the toughest schedule this season out of all Big East teams, facing No. 1 Ohio State, No. 3 Pittsburgh, No. 14 Western Michigan and No. 18 Georgetown out of the current rankings.
The Zips have forward Emil Jaaskelainen, the nation’s leading scorer, leading the way. The redshirt senior from Bolton, England was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week after posting back-to-back two-goal performances last week against Creighton and Marquette, winning by 3-0 in both games. Jaaskelainen has scored 20 goals and has assisted seven other goals for a team-high 47 points this season. It is a commanding lead for Akron, as no one comes close to the goal or point total on the team.
Two players are tied for the team lead in assists. Midfielders Dyson Clapier and Victor Gaulmin both have eight assists this season. Clapier, a redshirt senior from Layton, Utah, is second on the team in points with 16 and is tied for second in goals scored with four along with midfielder Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal. Gaulmin, a redshirt senior from Guipavas, France, is third in points with 14.
Goalkeeper Mitch Budler helped Akron clinch the No. 1 seed in the Big East Tournament and the outright Midwest Division title after his sixth and seventh shutouts of the season. The redshirt junior from Lincoln, Nebraska was named the Big East Goalkeeper of the Week after making six total saves in the two games. Budler has 44 saves and a .733 save percentage overall this season. In conference play, he has 23 saves and a .821 save percentage.
Defender Josh Hardin had a hand in the two shutout wins last week. The sophomore from Maple Valley, Washington has helped the Zips earn five shutouts in seven conference games.
Connecticut had a rough past two games, losing at home to Providence and drawing at St. John’s. Defender Mikah Thomas scored an equalizing goal in the 72nd minute against Providence, assisted by midfielder Max Gummesson. In the draw with St. John’s, forward Scott Testori scored a goal in the 6th minute, dominating the first 45 minutes. However, the Red Storm found the back of the net late in the game to force a draw.
UConn goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet is one of the best freshmen in the Big East and recorded five saves in the previous two games and allowed three goals total. The redshirt freshman from Houston, Texas allows 0.69 goals per game and has a save percentage of .823.
Saturday’s game will be Senior Day for the Huskies. Expected to be honored are Testori, defender Jalen Commissiong, defender/midfielder Greg MacLean, defender Guillaume Vacter, forward Michael Suski and defender Jack Loura. The latter three are graduate students.
Akron joined the Big East last season and will face the Huskies for the first time in the two schools’ history.
For those attending Saturday’s game, get to Joseph J. Morrone Stadium at Rizza Performance Center before its 2 p.m. start for Senior Day festivities. For those unable to attend, the game will be available to watch on FloFC.
It is uncertain who the Huskies’ opponent will be for the first round of the Big East Tournament, but their game will be on Nov. 9. The rest of the field has yet to be determined.