The Oakland University men’s soccer team won their game 2-0 against IUPUI on Saturday, earning them a spot in the Summit League tournament last weekend.

The Golden Grizzlies needed the win to continue the season.

The Grizzlies finished the regular season 6-11-1 (3-3 Summit League).  More importantly, they earned the fourth and final seed in the tournament.

Both teams competed evenly through most of the first half until OU took momentum.

The team maintained energy through the second half with John Timm and Miche’le Lipari both scoring goals to give the Grizzlies the victory.

Goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt recorded a shutout, but he received plenty of help from the OU defenders in keeping the ball out of the net as they combined to limit IUPUI’s scoring chances.

“Defensively, we were solid, calm and everybody just did their job,” Hildebrandt said. “There weren’t any gaps, everybody covered for each other, and our back four with Jeff Cheslik really worked well together.”

This was the final home game for Hildebrandt and fellow seniors Josh Bennett, Winston Henderson, Jon Evans and Jake Przybycien.

The senior class has helped the Grizzlies reach the NCAA tournament twice, once in 2008 and again 2011.

“Our seniors have meant a lot to this program,” head coach Eric Pogue said, “They’ve invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears for this program.

Pogue gave praise for all five seniors on the roster.

He called Hildebrandt “the backbone of the team,” and someone he could “always rely on.”

Pogue described Bennett as a tireless worker who was a solid two-way player who can play in multiple spots.

The coach commended Evans and Henderson on their talent and versatility on the soccer field.

Pogue referred Przybycien as a player that “optimizes the word ‘team,’” and gives every ounce that he has.”

They will face No.1  seed Western Illinois in the semifinals Friday in Kansas City, Mo. on Friday, Nov. 11.

Despite being the fourth seed, Pogue received inspiration the night before with the Oakland women’s soccer team upsetting No. 2 North Dakota State in its semifinal game.

“I think the women’s soccer team last night proved it best,” Pogue said. “They came in here as a fourth seed and knocked off the number one seed.”