Aug. 12, 2009

AKRON, Ohio - Senior Lindsey Blair and freshman Marlen Knoph both scored goals as the Oakland University women's soccer team captured a 2-1 exhibiton victory over Akron on Wednesday at Lee Jackson Field.

"We went into this scrimmage looking to give everybody equal playing time and get a look at all of our players," said head coach Nick O'Shea. "It was a great success in that we accomplished that. We played very well for sections of the game. We had opportunities to score more goals. Our defenders did well to shut down the offensive continuity that Akron had. For our first scrimmage three days into practice, it was a good performance."

The exhibition was played in three 30-minute periods, and both teams utilized the bulk of their available players.

Akron scored first 11 minutes into the contest, as junior Jordan Clark netted a goal. Oakland came back two minutes later, as sophomore Shannon Doyle won a ball in the midfield, and fed Blair on a breakaway to tie the contest.

With about three minutes to go in the opening period, OU broke the stalemate as sophomore Sarah Lynch stripped the Akron defender, and fed Knoph for the game-winner.

The Golden Grizzlies will resume practice Thursday, and prepare for their second exhibition on Saturday, August 15, as they square off against Toledo in a 2 p.m. contest in Toledo, Ohio.

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