Aug. 30, 2009
Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Sophomore Sarah Lynch took a one-timer feed from junior Melissa Hartwig and freshman Nicole Deluca, firing it into the net during the 84th minute to lead the Oakland University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over St. Bonaventure on Sunday at the OU Soccer Field.
"For young players to be able to do that, I think it's a boost for their confidence," said head coach Nick O'Shea. "This was a definite confidence booster."
The Golden Grizzlies scored first in the 23rd minute as sophomore Deanna Colarossi took a feed from fellow sophomore Shannon Doyle, leading to a one-on-one with SBU keeper Nicole Markert. Colarossi's goal set the margin at 1-0, and the Golden Grizzlies would retain that lead until the 52nd minute, when St. Bonaventure's Anna Cunningham took a shot from six yards out to knot the game.
Oakland did have a chance to extend its lead to 2-0 in the closing minutes of the opening half, but a shot by DeLuca caromed off the crossbar above the net.
Freshman goalkeeper Whitney Sarkis would make four crucial saves, keeping the Bonnies from breaking the tie and setting up the late-game heroics by Lynch. Sarkis, a last-minute addition to the starting lineup, made her first collegiate start and picked up the win for OU.
"Whitney was an awesome keeper in high school, and she stepped right in here and did well. She organizes the back line very well. She's very calm, precise, and demanding, and the back line responded to that."
St. Bonaventure fired 15 shots, five on goal, while OU took 12, with six on goal. Oakland held a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.
The Golden Grizzlies will return to action on Friday, Nov. 4, as OU travels to Flagstaff, Ariz. For the Northern Arizona tournament. OU will play NAU on Friday at 7 p.m., and will return to action against New Mexico on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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