Oct. 26, 2013

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Box Score

CLEVELAND - Abigail Haelewyn scored her third goal of the season and second game-winner of the fall while the Golden Grizzlies' defense registered their fifth consecutive shutout as the Oakland women's soccer team (9-7-1, 4-2-0 HL) remained in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Horizon League Championship with a 1-0 win at Cleveland State (8-8-1, 2-4 HL) Saturday evening at Krenzler Field.

"As a team, we played extremely well tonight," said Oakland interim head coach Dave Morgan. "We possessed the ball well and created a lot of quality opportunities. We're performing well as a team and things we are working on are coming together."

Oakland dominated throughout the cold and blustery contest, out-shooting the Vikings 17-3, with an 11-2 margin in shots on goal. Alice Palmer led with six shots.

The Golden Grizzlies missed getting on the board in the first half when Cleveland State was whistled for a hand ball in the penalty box. On the ensuing spot kick, Meghan Reynolds' attempt was stopped by Cleveland State goalkeeper Sarah Wood. It was one of Wood's 10 saves on the day.

After out-shooting CSU 12-1 in a wind-aided first half, Oakland continued to press in the second stanza. On a free kick by Kyla Kellermann in the 49th minute, it looked as though the Golden Grizzlies would get on the board only to be denied by the post.

In the 56th minute Oakland finally got through for the game's lone score. Meghan Reynolds sent a through ball into the box to find Haelewyn, who found a spot past CSU's Wood at the far post from 12 yards away.

The Golden Grizzlies defense including Sarah Reynolds, Katrina Stencel, Kourtney Grant and Aly Rawson held Cleveland State to their lowest shots total (3) at home this season. Of note, Oakland's team defense has held six opponents and four of their last six foes under 10 shot attempts this season.

Goalkeeper Payj O'Shea anchored the defense, making two saves for Oakland's fourth Horizon League shutout and seventh of the season.

With one game to play in the regular season, Oakland still has a chance to claim the No. 1 seed and with it the right to host the semifinals and final of the Horizon League Championship Friday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 10. With a win over Milwaukee and a Wright State tie or loss to Cleveland State, the Golden Grizzlies would be the tournament's top seed. Oakland is guaranteed of finishing no lower than third place, owning tiebreakers over fourth-place Detroit. Seeds three and four host seeds six and five, respectively, in quarterfinal action Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Oakland hosts top-seeded Milwaukee Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET at OU Soccer Field to close out the regular season.

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