Panthers Set Sights On #16 Akron Sunday In NCAA Tournament Second Round

PITTSBURGH – The Pitt men’s soccer team (9-4-5, 3-2-3 ACC) will be looking to make their third straight trip to the Sweet 16 as they head to No. 16 Akron on Sunday afternoon for the NCAA Championship Second Round match with the Zips. Sunday’s match will kick at 1pm inside FirstEnergy Stadium on the Akron campus and air live on ESPN+.
 
The winner of Sunday’s match will play the winner of No. 1 Kentucky vs. South Florida which will kick off at 6:00 pm Sunday. If Kentucky wins, the match will be played in Lexington but if South Florida wins, the winner of Akron/Pitt would host the Sweet 16 matchup.
 
FOLLOW ALONG

• Sunday afternoon’s contest will air live on ESPN+ and can be found online HERE.
• Live stats for Sunday’s game can be found HERE.
• Live updates throughout the game will also be posted on Twitter by following the Pitt men’s soccer account @Pitt_MSOC.

THE SERIES – AKRON

• This meeting marks the 31st of all-time between the two teams with Akron holding the 19-8-3 advantage over Pitt.
• The two teams met earlier this season in Pittsburgh as they drew 3-3. Akron netted the first two goals of the match just 18 minutes in but Pitt came right back with three straight to regain the lead. The Zips tied the match in the 53rd minute and the two teams played to a draw.
• Pitt’s last win in the series came in 2019 at home as they collected a 1-0 victory.
• The Zips own a 11-2 edge in games played in Akron in the all-time series. 

SCOUTING THE ZIPS

• The Zips enter Sunday’s match with a 11-3-5 overall record on the year as they have one of the best offenses in the nation, ranking third in the NCAA in total goals (48).
• The Zips are led offensively by Jason Shokalook who has netted nine goals, six assists and 24 points while Dyson Clapier has seven goals, a team-high seven assists and 21 points on 38 shots.
• Ryan Kingsford and Ashton Kamdem each have five assists on the year as the Zips have notched 57 assists overall which ranks second in the NCAA.
• In goal, Mitch Budler has made all 19 starts and owns a 11-3-5 record to go along with a 1.05 goals against average, .706 save percentage and seven clean sheets.

PANTHERS IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT

• This marks the fourth straight season and fourth time overall the Panthers have earn a bid in the NCAA Tournament.
• The Panthers have now won at least one…