Oakland University forward Joey Tinnion scored both goals for the men’s soccer team (4-2-4) as they defeated the University of Detroit Mercy Titans (1-5-4) in a 2-1 victory Oct. 5 night.

Tinnion’s first goal was assisted by defender Jacob VanderLaan, tying the game in the 66 minute, with Tinnion managing to chip it over the head of Titans goalie Nathan Steinwascher.

“The first one was a long ball that came over the top,” Tinnion said. “And their center-back slipped and the ball was bouncing, and I just tried poking it over the keeper.”

The second goal came less than 10 minutes later in the 74 minute when midfielder Gavin Hoy crossed to Tinnion for the game-winning goal, his fourth of the year.

“Gavin brought it down the right side and cut it into me,” Tinnion said. “And I touched it with my left and brought to the top of the box, and I managed to put it in off my right foot.”

OU started the game slowly and didn’t have many opportunities in the first half. It was a different story in the second half however, as the game’s tempo escalated along with OU’s chances.

OU head coach Eric Pogue said it wasn’t him giving the speech at half time, but one of his players.

“When I got to the group, one of our players Luke Diener — our team captain and a player that can’t play anymore this season (due to concussions)—was giving the team a heart-to-heart,” Pogue said.

That gave the team a lift in the second half, but Pogue said he also made some tactical adjustments.

“I wanted to control the midfield and switch the formations a little bit,” Pogue said. “We went to two forwards at the top so we weren’t in a back-and-forth with them.”

The change helped as OU outshot the Titans 8-6 in the second half after being outshot 9-5 in the first half.

UDM defender Jason Leslie scored the game’s first goal 20 minutes in off a pass from his teammate midfielder Adam Bedell.

Bedell is the reigning Horizon League Player of the Year and gave OU fits for most of the game.

Defender Nick Kristock was one of the many Grizzlies asked to cover Bedell.

“It’s tough, man,” Kristock said. “Every chance you get, you have to be right up the back of him, and you have to constantly remind him that you’re there.”

Bedell could launch the ball into the box whenever there was a throw-in deep in the zone. Many times OU’s best chance was clearing it at any cost.

“By far U of D is the best team at throw-ins, I’d say probably in the nation,” said Kristock.

The men’s soccer team will play University of Denver at home Monday, Oct. 6 night at 7 p.m.