Oakland Hosts Cleveland State in Exhibition Match

Aug. 12, 2011

ROCHESTER, Mich. -Oakland University opens the 2011 season in an exhibition match, against Cleveland State University on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the OU Soccer Field. As an exhibition match the stats will not count towards either teams overall record, but it will mark the first time the two programs have met on the soccer field.

"Our main focus against Cleveland State will be to get a good look at our roster and find out where we are depth-wise," said head coach Nick O'Shea. "It will be interesting to see how the newcomers are developing, as well as to get an idea of how our returning players look. This match serves as a chance for us to evaluate what areas we need to address heading into the season-opener against Kentucky."

Oakland heads into the 2011 season as the favorites to win The Summit League. The team received six out of 10 first-place votes in the Summit League's Women's Soccer preseason poll.

Cleveland State finished last season with a record of 9-8-2, including a 2-0 win over Summit League member UMKC. Cleveland State was picked to finish fifth in the Horizon League preseason poll. The Vikings have already played one preseason game, a 4-0 loss at Akron in which 24 players saw action.

The Golden Grizzlies return 10 starters from last season including six players picked on the All-Summit League women's soccer teams. Leading the way for the Grizzlies is junior midfielder Nicole DeLuca who scored nine goals to go along with four assists, finishing second on the team in scoring.

Fellow junior defender Kara Weber will provide experience and stability on the backline as well as provide some offense, as she accumulated 12 points last season. Senior midfielder Sarah Lynch is consistent and reliable in crucial situations as she accounted for three game-winning goals during the 2010 season. The trio were named to the All-Summit League First Team in 2010.

A talented group of sophomores also return for OU in 2011. Forward Serena San Cartier finished the season sixth on the team in scoring, midfielder Jordan Penz added two goals and one assist for the Grizzlies and goalkeeper Payj O'Shea recorded two shoutouts to help Oakland to the regular season Summit League title. All three players earned All-Summit League Freshman team honors last season.

On the OU bench O'Shea returns for his 18th season at OU after being named Summit League Coach of the Year in 2010, the third of his career. Due to construction at the OU Soccer Field, spectators may be restricted to the parking structure.

-OAKLAND-

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