Aug. 13, 2011
Box Score
ROCHESTER, Mich. - Sophomore Serena San Cartier scored the only goal for the Oakland University women's soccer team in a 2-1 exhibition loss to Cleveland State at the OU Soccer Field. The Golden Grizzlies had the early lead before the Vikings rallied for a pair of unanswered goals.
"We got a chance to look at all of our players, newcomers and returning," said Oakland head coach Nick O'Shea. "Cleveland State controlled the ball really well, and we needed to be more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball."
The two teams battled but held each other scoreless through the first 15 minutes of the game. That's when San Cartier gave Oakland the lead with an outstanding individual goal. San Cartier intercepted the ball from a Cleveland State defender and drove to the net before striking the ball into the side netting to give the Golden Grizzlies the lead in the 19th minute.
Cleveland State answered at 40:51, when Samantha Salamon delivered an excellent through-ball to Natalie Daniels who fired a low shot at senior goalkeeper Anne Berschbach, which proved too much to handle as the ball found its way into the net.
The Vikings came out attacking in the second-half outshooting the Golden Grizzlies 14-1. Despite the onslaught Oakland kept Cleveland State off the board until the 70th minute, where Daniels once again found the back of the net, her second goal of the match and putting Cleveland State ahead for good 2-1.
Following the goal Oakland created a number of scoring opportunities in the final 20 minutes of play. The most dangerous of those came off a header by junior Kara Weber from a corner kick but was well-saved by CSU goalkeeper Sarah Wood.
"We needed to move the ball quicker on offense and be a little more creative," said O'Shea. "But overall we stayed composed and had our chances throughout the game which are positives heading into our next game against Kentucky. It was a good opportunity to give everyone action today, it wasn't the result we wanted but that's ok as long as we learn from our mistakes."
For the match Cleveland State outshot the Golden Grizzlies 24-5. In goal Berschbach and freshman keeper Melissa MacKinnon both had four saves each and both allowed one goal. For CSU goalkeeper Wood had four saves in the win.
The Golden Grizzlies open the regular season Aug. 19 at OU Soccer Field against the Southeastern Conference's Kentucky Wildcats. Start time has yet to be announced, please check OUgrizzlies.com for the latest news and announcements.
-OAKLAND-
