The women’s soccer team found some offense this past week. The Golden Grizzlies began the first full week of October with a 1-0 victory over Cleveland State. 

The win, which came on Thursday, Oct. 6, was the team’s first win since it defeated Toledo, 4-1 back on Sept. 1.

Oakland ventured back home after the road win over the Vikings, and prepared to take on Robert Morris at home on Sunday afternoon. 

Juan Pablo Favero’s team may have found an offensive spark, because the team was ready to go from the beginning. Oakland had six shots in the first 17 minutes of the game, and finally, on the seventh shot, Carmela Barro connected, giving the Golden Grizzlies a 1-0 lead. 

Barro is a graduate student from Spain who is currently playing her fifth season at Oakland. Her goal in the 19th minute was her first of the season and the third of her career. 

Then, before the teams could hardly get settled, Oakland struck again, less than a minute and a half later. Karabo Dhlamini found the back of the net this time, thanks to assists from Sami Lopez and Macey Wierenga. 

Dhlamini is a redshirt junior from South Africa. Her goal in the 20th minute was also the first of her season, and the fourth of her career.

Oakland continued to dominate. Robert Morris was clearly outmatched. 

Although Oakland didn’t make any additions to the scoreboard for the rest of the first half and most of the second half, it still kept its foot on the gas. 

The Golden Grizzlies combined a steady offensive attack with stellar defense to hold off the Colonials. 

Oakland finished the first half with 11 shots, while Robert Morris was still looking to record its first. Golden Grizzly goaltender Noëmi Stadelmann had a quiet afternoon to say the least.

Each team made ample substitutions in the second half, but the script had already been written. Oakland continued its dominance, and Robert Morris suffered. 

The Golden Grizzlies added five more second half shots, giving them a 16-0 lead in that category before finally, Robert Morris got a shot in the 61st minute. However, the shot missed the net and Stadelmann’s slow afternoon continued.

In the 71st minute, Oakland put the nail in the coffin with its third goal of the game. 

Fifth-year senior Sophie Wilsey scored this time, her second of the season and the eighth of her illustrious career. 

Robert Morris’ offensive ineptitude continued for the final 19 minutes of the match, and Oakland finished the afternoon on a two-game win streak. 

The Golden Grizzlies are now 5-2-7 on the season, and they are 2-1-3 in the Horizon League. 

Despite the two-game winning streak, Oakland still sits three points behind Purdue Fort Wayne, Wright State and Detroit Mercy, who are all tied for first place with 12 points. Milwaukee is also currently at 11 points.

Each team is awarded three points per win, and one point per tie. 

With four regular season games to go, Oakland will have a chance to make some serious noise down the stretch. Three of its final four games are against teams that are currently in front of it in the standings.

The next game will be at home against Northern Kentucky on Thursday, Oct. 13.