Oakland University women’s soccer (7-7-1, 3-2-0) had to battle Detroit Mercy (8-7-1, 2-3-0) as well as cold weather and constant wind to come away with a 2-0 win Oct. 19.

The Grizzlies came out strong on defense, allowing only two shots in the first half. OU senior forward Meghan Reynolds opened up the scoring for the Grizzlies by providing an early goal on a penalty shot. The goal was Reynolds’s sixth on the season, giving her a team-leading 14 points.

“I have been working on them a lot during practice,” Reynolds said of the penalty shot. “Just trying to get the ball as far as possible in the corner and try and hit the side net. Usually I try and take a deep breath and go for it.”

OU has won their last three matches at home, all having come from solid defense that led to shutouts. Reynolds credited the team defense and goalkeeping for their efforts.

“Our defense has been really coming together and working hard on keeping the ball out and clearing the ball,” Reynolds said. “Payj (O’Shea) our goalkeeper has been doing a good job of making big saves and helping out the team.

“Our defense started off a bit slow at the beginning of the year but now they have started working as a team. They’re mostly a new backline this year, so they’re starting to work together a lot better now and are stopping balls from going through.”

OU scored late in the 76th minute to take a 2-0 lead when senior forward Serena San Cartier scored, going left side post from defender Aly Rawson and forward/midfielder Joan Sieja.

The Grizzlies turned up the pressure and tempo in the second half, coming out strong and outshooting the Titans 9-5. O’Shea recorded her third shutout in a row and fifth overall this year.

Detroit upped the ante with heightened offensive pressure late in the second half, but O’Shea made a diving stop off a UDM header in the 84th minute to stave off any hopes of a Titan comeback.

The women’s team will hit the road to face Cleveland State Saturday, Oct. 26 and then return home for their regular season finale against Milwaukee on Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. 1 at 7:30 p.m.