Oakland University (6-7-1) beat the Youngstown State Penguins (3-9-1) 2-0 Saturday, Oct. 12, getting their second win in Horizon League play.

The lines of the field were painted pink in honor of the breast cancer awareness night, and also had pink ribbons painted on the field. It was the first time the OU soccer program was able to do this.

“It’s something the girls wanted to do for a while, and it’s something they finally put into the program this year,” said Dave Morgan, Grizzly interim head coach.

Morgan mentioned the team did volunteer work for the Rochester Soccer Club in August. When one of the members there was diagnosed with breast cancer, it underscored the importance of raising awareness.

The field decorations also motivated the girls on the field as well.

“I think it made everyone fight that little bit more,” forward Alice Palmer said. “Maybe even someone they’re thinking of.”

“Everyone was so excited for pink, and to have that ability to fight for people, and fight for the cure,” defender Sarah Reynolds said.

In the 13^th minute, Palmer found Reynolds on a cross from a corner kick, with a header putting it behind Penguin goalie Jackie Podolsky.

“I got up there and had a really good feeling,” Reynolds said. “I was pumped to be up there, and Alice sent a great ball over. I saw it, ran over and headed it down.”

Moments later, a mirror image of the play happened again, but Podolsky managed to gather the header from Reynolds. Podolsky added a few big saves before being replaced by Penguin teammate Katie Montgomery.

OU goalie Payj O’Shea pitched her second consecutive shutout, having three saves herself. The Grizzlies had control for most of the game, dominating the shots 29-6.

OU forward Kyla Kellermann added her second goal in as many games bringing her total to four on the year. The goal came on a pass from midfielder Rachel Deluca, who had just entered the game. 

On a two-game winning streak, OU now sits 2-2 in conference play and ranked third in the standings, trailing only Wright State and Milwaukee, whom the Grizzlies host on their last game of the regular season. 

“It puts us back in the hunt for the conference,” Morgan said on the win. ”We didn’t get off to a great start with our first two away games, so the players knew how important these last two were, I didn’t push them too hard for it because they understood.”

The Grizzlies will host the University of Detroit Mercy this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The Titans (7-6-1, 1-2) are currently sixth in the Horizon League standings.