The Oakland University men’s soccer team spent last week on an east coast road trip against two powerhouse programs.

In a nail biting match in Happy Valley Aug. 29 against Penn State, Oakland dropped the game 1-0 at the foot of Penn State forward Connor Maloney in the 51st minute from 13 meters out. The Grizzly goalkeeper, Elliot Tarney, made eight saves in the match, but received no help from the offense as they only posted three shots on goal in the defeat.

Two days later, Oakland lost 4-1 two West Virginia in Morgantown. Oakland got off to a hot start when Gavin Hoy found the back of the net in the 14th minute. After a 25th minute goal by West Virginia’s Jad Arslan the teams entered half-time knotted up in a 1-1 tie.

Early in the second half, West Virginia pulled away with a flurry of goals in the 50th, 53rd and 54th minutes by Andy Bevin, Jamie Merriam and Arslan, respectively. The Golden Grizzlies manage just six shots on net in the second half but no goals to pull closer.

Oakland’s next matchup is Sept. 5 against Marshall on our very own pitch at 7pm ET.

The Women’s soccer team was just as busy this week, hosting Saginaw Valley State on Aug. 28 and Illinois on the 31st.

In an explosive showing of offensive capabilities, the lady Golden Grizzlies blew out Saginaw Valley 4-0. After a slow start, Kendra Prince put Oakland on the board with a goal from five meters out in the 32nd minute.

Out of the half, Jenna Taylor seized a 2-0 lead with her goal in the 49th minute. After a brief goal drought, Kyla Kellermann scored in the 62nd minute and Vlad Gurovski in the 73rd.

The women dropped a devastatingly close game to Illinois that saw the end of regulation as a tie. Illinois’ Amy Feher scored in the 97^th minute of the game to clench the victory. It was a solid performance by Oakland goal keeper Alison Holland as she made 10 saves but the goalie can only do so much.

You can see the women’s soccer team play Sept. 2 at home against Michigan State at 7 p.m.