In their third game of the season, the Oakland University Women’s Soccer Team suffered their first loss of the season Sunday afternoon at OU Soccer Field to Loyola (MD.) 2-1.
Forward Marlen Knoph scored Oakland’s (1-1-1) only goal in the second half during the 80-minute on a ball won off a Loyola defender by midfielder Erin Ring, with Ring getting the ball off to fellow Midfielder Abigail Haelewyn who touched it off to Knoph for her second goal of the season as the Golden Grizzlies were outshot during the game 15-9.
“I thought we created a lot of chances,” Head Coach Nick O’Shea stated to OUGrizzlies.com after the game. “I know that we outshot them, but unfortunately, we hit shots right at their goalkeeper from point-blank range. Those things happen, but we played well enough to win and we’ll have to work harder as a team next time.”
The goal by Knoph was part of a determined effort for a comeback during the second half that fell short.
The Golden Grizzlies attempted eight shots on goal with Loyola Goalkeeper Didi Harajic recording seven during her 90 minutes of play. OU Goalkeeper Payj O’Shea recorded a pair of saves with the only goals allowed off a header by Loyola’s Kelsey Rene during the 19-minute and another coming during the 34-minute by Jessica Van Dyke with a one-on-one goal.
Oakland won their home opener against Rochester College 9-0 Friday, Aug. 17. Six different Oakland players scored for the Grizzlies. The Warriors never managed a shot on goal during the game.
The Golden Grizzlies ended their second match of the season in a draw against Eastern Michigan, 3-3. Knoph’s first goal of the season was in the first half of that game, which took play in Ypsilanti Aug. 19. Goalie Payj O’Shea played 110-minutes with four saves and three goals allowed.
Sunday’s home game was the first of a four-game stand for OU with their next game coming this Sunday against local rival University of Detroit at the OU Soccer Field. The match, which is scheduled at 8pm is part of a double header with the men’s soccer team.
—-
Contact Staff Intern Allen Jordan via email at ajordan2@oakland.edu or follow him on Twitter @aj1218