The Akron Zips men's soccer team, ranked No. 8/12, kicks off its 2026 season against Dayton Flyers on August 20 at 7 PM at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Flyers, with an 8-2-8 record in 2025, boast three players on the Preseason All-Conference Team. Highlights include midfielder Braden Seel and defender Mikkel Madsen, who made significant contributions last season. Akron, a favorite to lead the Midwest Division, has two players on the All-BIG EAST Preseason team. The Zips aim to replicate their success from 2025, where they advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals.

By the Numbers
  • Akron finished the 2025 season with a 13-5-3 overall record.
  • Dayton's 2025 record was 8-2-8, with a 4-1-3 A10 conference performance.
State of Play
  • Akron is ranked No. 8 in the Top Drawer Soccer preseason poll and No. 12 by United Soccer Coaches.
  • The Zips' players Remi Agunbiade and Matt Dreas were recognized on the BIG EAST Preseason team.
What's Next

After the opener against Dayton, Akron will host Army on August 24 and Wake Forest on August 28 at FirstEnergy Stadium, aiming to build momentum early in the season.

Bottom Line

Akron is poised for a strong start to the 2026 season, leveraging a robust roster and positive momentum from the previous year. Key players will be essential as they aim to secure victories in their initial matches.