As the fall season nears its conclusion, multiple Oakland University athletic teams are looking to make a final push toward the top of the Summit League standings.

Alone at the top

A game-winning goal from junior Sarah Lynch gave OU’s women’s soccer team a 2-1 win over Western Illinois Sunday and clinched at least a share of the Summit League regular season title for the Golden Grizzlies (10-5-2, 6-0-1). If Oakland gets a win or tie in either of its final two matches, the Grizzlies will win the league title outright and secure the No. 1 seed in the Summit League tournament, which begins Nov. 5 in Brookings, S. D.

Oakland is the only team in the Summit League without a loss in conference play. The Grizzlies would need to lose both their remaining games and either Western Illinois or South Dakota State would need to win out down the stretch to force a first-place tie. OU’s final two games are Oct. 28 at Southern Utah and Oct. 30 at UMKC.

Men’s soccer struggling to score

Scoring goals has remained a hurdle for the Oakland University men’s soccer team.  The Golden Grizzlies played to a 0-0 tie against Western Illinois in their last match, Saturday at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac. It marked the third straight game OU has been held scoreless, and fourth time in the last five games.

Currently, OU holds the fourth and final spot in the Summit League Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 12 at the OU Soccer Field. With five regular season games remaining, two of which are against conference opponents, OU could miss the tournament hosted on its campus if it remains winless down the stretch. Yet, if the Grizzlies win their final two conference games (at Oral Roberts Oct. 30 and home vs. Centenary Nov. 6) they could potentially move into the No. 3 seed for the tournament.

Volleyball picks up two wins

The Golden Grizzlies volleyball squad is holding onto fourth place in the Summit League with five matches left in the regular season.

Oakland (13-12, 8-5) is coming off back-to-back wins over the weekend. The Grizzlies defeated Oral Roberts, 3-1, Friday and swept Centenary, 3-0, Saturday. Sophomore Meghan Bray had 14 kills and junior Jenna Lange added 10 kills in the win over Centenary. Oakland’s next match is Friday at home against league-leading IPFW.

Weekly honor

Sophomore women’s soccer player Kara Weber was named Summit League Defensive Player of the Week this week as announced by the league office on Monday. It is the second time Weber has won the award this season. She also made a key contribution on the offensive side of the field for the Grizzlies this week, supplying an assist in Oakland’s 2-1 win Sunday over Western Illinois.