The first full month of athletics at Oakland University is in the books. Here is a comprehensive dive into everything that happened in athletic competitions involving Oakland this week (Sept. 24-30).
Women’s soccer
After beginning the Horizon League schedule with back-to-back identical 1-1 draws at home, Oakland hit the road this week as it continued its path through the conference schedule.
The Golden Grizzlies picked up their first win of the season on Sunday, Sept. 24, over Cleveland State.
There were more than 88 minutes of scoreless soccer until Allie Tefend broke the tie with a goal in the 89th minute. The goal gave Oakland the win, which secured the Golden Grizzlies three points in the standings compared to what would have been just one point with a draw.
Oakland came out firing again on Saturday when it took on Wright State in Dayton, Ohio, but the Golden Grizzlies couldn’t convert on any of their 14 shots. Wright State scored a goal in the 41st minute, which proved to be the difference in the game.
OU now sits at 1-1-2 in conference play on the season, and it will take on Robert Morris at home on Thursday, Oct. 5.
Volleyball
The Oakland volleyball team continued its solid start to the 2023 season this week, going 2-1 in its three matches.
Entering the week 2-1, Oakland had three away matches to prove its belonging at the top of the Horizon League standings.
The week started off in dramatic fashion as Oakland pulled off a thrilling five-set victory over IUPUI. The teams traded the first four sets, which set up a winner-take-all fifth that the Golden Grizzlies won, 15-13.
Then, on Friday, Oakland took on Wright State, and OU defeated the Raiders 3-1. Oakland narrowly defeated WSU in each of the first two sets. Although they dropped the third, the Golden Grizzlies bounced back in the fourth to secure the victory.
Oakland made the trip from Dayton, Ohio, to Highland Heights, Kentucky, to take on the Northern Kentucky Norse on Saturday.
Perhaps it was the quick turnaround, but the Golden Grizzlies were outmatched by the Norse, and they lost in straight sets.
OU now sits at 4-2 in the conference, which is good for fifth place in the league.
The Golden Grizzlies will return home this week to take on the Cleveland State Vikings on Friday, Oct. 6.
Men’s soccer
Just one week after upsetting the University of Michigan by a score of 2-1, Oakland matched up against the other in-state Big Ten foe — Michigan State.
Despite pulling off the magical upset over the Wolverines, Oakland had to settle for a draw against the Spartans on Tuesday.
Oakland’s Owen Smith got the scoring started in Tuesday’s match, putting the Golden Grizzlies on the board in the 20th minute.
MSU struggled to get any offensive momentum going, but the Spartans finally scored a goal in the 72nd minute.
However, OU immediately answered as Andrew Darakdjian quickly struck back in the 73rd minute.
The Spartans avoided the upset in the 88th minute, and the two teams settled for a draw.
Then, on Saturday, Oakland picked up its second conference win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Milwaukee. The Panthers scored in the third minute, but goals from Oakland’s Smith and Mikey Ketteman gave the Golden Grizzlies a 2-1 win.
Now 2-2 in the Horizon League, Oakland will practice this week before taking on Purdue Fort Wayne on the road on Saturday, Oct. 7.
