Oct. 12, 2011
Box Score | Photo Gallery 
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Jake Przybycien scored a second-half goal, but the Oakland men's soccer team (2-9-1) fell in double-overtime, 2-1, to Michigan (4-9-1) at the OU Soccer Field on Wednesday. Despite a 24-6 shot advantage for the Wolverines, the two teams were even in shots in overtime.
"There is no questioning the heart of our players, who gave their all tonight," said Oakland head coach Eric Pogue. "We came out flat again in the first half, but really stepped up our game in the second half and every player left it on the field tonight."
Przybycien netted the tying goal in the 70th minute when he blasted home a low cross from Winston Henderson. That goal erased a 31st minute goal by Michigan's Kofe Opare, who headed home an Adam Shaw corner kick.
The Golden Grizzlies nearly won the match in the second overtime when Andrew Barrett chipped the goalkeeper, but had his shot bounce off the crossbar. Less than a minute later, Noble Sullivan ended the match with a shot that deflected off a defender into the back of the net. The late winner gave Michigan its second consecutive 2-1 win over Oakland.
With Michigan earning a 16-1 edge in shots on goal, Mitch Hildebrandt was busy in goal. He equaled his career-high with 14 saves. That included a key save in the second half, when he denied a point-blank header from Sullivan with a sprawling stop. Goalkeeper Adam Grinwis did not record a save for the Wolverines.
"Mitch was brilliant tonight," added Pogue. "The save he made from the header in the second half may have been one of the best collegiate saves I have seen in several years as a college coach."
After being outshot 12-0 in the first half, OU responded by taking the first four shots of the second half. Josh Bennett had the best chance, but flashed his effort just outside of the post.
The Golden Grizzlies are back in action on Saturday with a crucial match against IPFW at 7 p.m. at the OU Soccer Field. The Mastodons currently top the standings in The Summit League.
-OAKLAND-
