Sept. 16, 2011

Box Score

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Jake Przybycien netted his first goal of the season, for the Oakland University men's soccer team (0-5-1) in a 3-1 road loss at Marshall (2-4-0) on Friday at Sam Hood Field. The Golden Grizzlies nearly rallied behind the late goal, but scored just one goal for the sixth consecutive match this season.

"We are all very disappointed," said Oakland head coach Eric Pogue, "At the end of the day, whatever we are doing isn't good enough and we are done making excuses for ourselves and taking positives from losses. We need a win, we want a win, but we have to earn a win, no one is going to give us anything."

After falling behind 2-0, Przybycien scored in the 67th minute to spark an OU rally. The 6-foot-7-inch striker out-jumped the Marshall defenders to head home a cross from Josh Bennett.

Following the goal, the Golden Grizzlies pushed forward and just missed two chances to equalize. Bennett fired a shot in the 71st minute that beat the goalkeeper, but was cleared off the line by a Thundering Herd defender. From the resulting corner kick, Konner McNamara headed the ball on goal, but it his effort was also narrowly cleared off the line.

With Oakland pushing forward for the equalizer, Marshall was able to exploit a gap in the OU defense. Jahvon Allison played Michael Hayes through to goal and Hayes finished the breakaway to restore the two-goal margin.

OU nearly pulled a goal back with a penalty kick in the 90th minute, but Andrew Barrett's effort was saved by Daniel Withrow.

"We are close," said Pogue. "But close doesn't cut it and this team deserves better based on their effort level and competitiveness in each match."

After a scoreless first half, Marshall took the lead on a goal by Kyle Sniatecki in the 57th minute on a strike from nearly 35 yards out. The Thundering Herd doubled the lead on a goal by Allison in the 63rd minute when he was able to poke home a goal on a rebound.

Both teams finished the match with 15 shots each, while Marshall earned a slight, 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Scott Messer finished the night with four saves for OU, while Withrow posted three saves.

"We are a team and we'll stick together and come out against very good Cincinnati team on Sunday," said Pogue. "Eventually hard work and perseverance pay off. I'm a firm believer in that."

The Golden Grizzlies return to action on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Cincinnati.

-OAKLAND-