The men’s soccer team took to the road this weekend to face the United States Naval Academy (Navy) on Friday, Sept. 4 and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Oakland University (2-2) defeated Navy 3-2 in overtime, which broke the nation’s longest unbeaten streak at 13 games.

Navy opened the scoring. A defender error in the 36 minute left the ball to Alec Green who scored to tie it up. Oakland took the 2-1 lead late in the match when Austin Ricci scored in the 79 minute.

Navy responded at the death in the 87th minute. In overtime, it was Ricci again who scored just seconds into the period to end Navy’s streak and give Oakland its second win of the season.

Oakland faced another tough opponent  UMBC. The Retrievers made it to the final four in the NCAA tournament this past year and are currently ranked 17th in the country.

The first half was full of great chances from both teams. The action went back and forth until a break through goal in the 27th minute from Matt Rickard, with the assist from Ricci, put Oakland in front 1-0.

Rickard scored his first goal of the season, while Ricci has been a huge playmaker this season.

“Ricci had a breakout weekend with two goals in the Navy game and an assist in the UMBC game,” head coach Eric Pogue said.

One of the constants of the game was UMBC’s physicality. They had five fouls in the first half while Oakland had one.  

“It was hard to keep a rhythm, but it was a good college game and it will prepare us for the Horizon League,” Pogue said.

The physicality of UMBC continued and it finally caught up with them when two of their players, senior forward Darius Madison and junior defender Bill Kerr, were shown yellow cards in the 54th minute after a small scuffle.

Less than ten minutes later, an early cross from Michael Scott was tipped in by Kennedy O’Shea In the box to tie the game with 30 minutes left in the game.

Oakland hadn’t recovered from the goal and seven minutes later, Madison took a shot from distance and just barely beat goalkeeper Eliott Tarney. UMBC took the 2-1 lead with 27 minutes left in the game.

Madison also had the game winner in UMBC’s last game against Ohio State. Despite Oakland’s efforts, it was too little too late and they couldn’t find an equalizer.

Despite the loss, Pogue was still happy with his team.

“We played well, Pogue said. “It was the most complete game we have so far.” 

Oakland’s next game is at Dayton on September 12. They return home to begin Horizon League play against Milwaukee on Sep. 19.