Oakland University women’s soccer team was defeated by the University of Detroit Mercy 1-0 in the Horizon League semifinals Thursday night, ending their season.

The Golden Grizzlies had defeated Cleveland State in the quarterfinals. The women were seeded third heading into the tournament, Detroit entered as the two.

“I was happy with the conference part of our season,” OU head coach Margaret Saurin said. “We won all of our home matches in conference and got an important point on the road against UWM.

“After a close match, we lost in OT to a PK call by the referee. It was a disappointing end to the season, we were certainly not ready to be done.” 

Titan Alyssa Lotito scored the game’s only goal on the penalty kick against OU goalkeeper Alison Holland. Lotito had just one goal in 2014 to this point.

Titan goalie Marina Manzo pitched the shutout for UDM, her seventh on the season. 

Alice Palmer and Jenny Rosonke were the only two players that managed to get shots on net for Oakland. Kyla Kellermann, the team’s top goal scorer, managed just one shot, but it wasn’t on net.

The team started slow, but dominated in time of possession, which allowed them to create more scoring chances.

Kellermann made big waves in Oakland history this year, breaking into the top ten of the all-time scorers list. She ends her career tied for eighth.

“Although it’s an individual statistic, it’s something I would have never been able to accomplish without all my teammates over the past four years,” Kellermann said.

Kayla Owens, who played in 11 games this year for the Grizzlies, couldn’t make it onto the field in the women’s last match, but sees opportunity in every loss.

“Although the season did not end at all how we wanted it to, this year was a year for growth, especially with having to get to know a third coach in my class’ four years here,” Owens said. “I am proud of the team for getting through the hardship of transitions and know that they are in good hands for the upcoming years with the coaching staff and support we now have.”

Saurin debuted as a Golden Grizzly this year, and will try again next year in Oakland’s third year in the Horizon League. OU finished 6-10-3 (4-3-1 Horizon).

“As a coaching staff, we wanted to instill a certain style of play this season and foster a certain mind set in our players,” Saurin said. “We feel that we were able to accomplish that. We will now be able to progress and add some other dimensions to our game this offseason.”

Saurin believes that Oakland’s atmosphere promotes high achievers, and says that even in defeat everyone will remain supportive of one another.

The Grizzlies made it to last year’s final, where they lost to Milwaukee. The Titans will now go on to face the winner of Green Bay versus Valparaiso. The Crusaders are the host to this year’s tournament.