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#18 Gerald Ben

Escorted by former Oakland men's soccer head coach Gary Parsons

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Two-year starter scoring eight career goals with three assists
2. Named 2014 Horizon League Tournament MVP scoring a goal with an assist in the Horizon League Championship Game against Wright State last season.
3. Also netted game-winning goal with just 10 seconds left in double-overtime in Horizon League Semifinal Game versus Cleveland State.

Favorite memory as a student-athlete
Winning the Horizon League and going to the NCAA tournament.

Pogue & Gorton Quote: "It was a long journey for Gerald to Oakland after spending time at a junior college and a NAIA school before finding his home at Oakland for 2014 & 2015. Blessed with immense athleticism and drive to be the best, we are most proud of Gerald being the first in his family to graduate with an undergraduate degree after coming to the US from Liberia. Gerald's smile, laughter and contagious fun loving attitude will be truly missed."

Ben would like to thank:
"I would like to thank Gary Parson and Andy Wagstaff for brining me here to Oakland. Also, I would like to thank our coaches and my teammates for the wonderful years."

Favorite quote: "Baby Al, you look like baby"

#11 Matt Rickard

Escorted by fellow teammate Nick Strack

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Notched a two-game scoring streak with goals at No. 17 UMBC and Dayton this season
2. Recorded seven career goals and two assists scoring the game-winning goal against No. 10 Michigan State last season
3. 2015 Spring Horizon League Honor Roll selection

Favorite memory as a student-athlete
"2014 was a special year for the team and myself finishing as Horizon League regular season and tournament champions is definitely tops on the list"

Coach Pogue & Gorton on Rickard: "Ricks or Ricksy as he's known by the team has been a very great addition to our class in 2013 after transferring to Oakland from Michigan where he played his freshmen season. Matt has scored some of the biggest goals for the Golden Grizzlies in the most crucial times in the past three years. Right away Matt fit in and a part of us thinks he was meant to be at Oakland from the start. Ricks has a lot of natural ability and has been a very good player for us and will miss him dearly"

Rickard would like to thank:
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank a few people that have enabled me to come to this great university and be a part of this special program. Andy Wagstaff, Eric Pogue, Steve Gorton, Stew Givens, Dimir Muftari, Peter Langens, John Timm, Armen Tonianse, Steve Seargeant, Clair Coates, Big T Ford, and Chris Meny. Plus many more in the athletics department that have helped me with my academics namely Holly Kerstner and Evan Dermidoff. My time here at Oakland will never be forgotten and I have made many lifelong friends. Although my family couldn't make it here today. I am accompanied by 26 brothers and many more from the past three years. Go Black, Go Gold and God Save the Queen.

#26 Eliott Tarney

Escorted by former Oakland soccer player Nickolas Kristock and teammate Willie Maddox

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Anchored the back line to four shutout wins over Detroit, Green Bay, Dayton and Belmont this season and has not allowed a goal in regulation time over the last three matches
2. Won his first start this season with five saves in Oakland's historic 3-2 win over Navy snapping the nation's longest unbeaten streak at 13 games
3. 2014 Fall and 2015 Spring Horizon League Honor Roll selection

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: The excitement and adrenaline after winning the Horizon League Tournament which also was shared by the pitch invasion by our loyal fans.

Coach Pogue & Gorton on Tarney: "Eliott is the epitome of an amazing person and teammate all four of his years at Oakland since coming to us from Blackpool Youth Academy in 2012. Always willing to do what is in the best interest of the team, much of the time at the sacrifice of his own personal success really sums up Eliott's character and integrity. Eliott is putting together a great senior season and is being rewarded for all his hard work, dedication, and perseverance."

Tarney would like to thank:

"I would like to thank Stew Givens, Dimir Muftari, Peter Langens, Steve Sargeant, John Timm, Eric Pogue and Steve Gorton for offering their services and doing their most to help me develop as much as possible as a soccer player on the field and man off the field. Most of all, I would like to thank Andy Wagstaff for providing me with these services by offering me a different way of life. Without this man, I wouldn't have been able to meet such amazing teammates, and all you guys in the stands that have supported us in this journey. Thank you to the parents who offered me their homes and provided me with a family environment. Lastly, thank you to the athletic department for providing us with all the support on and off the field helping us succeed to the best our abilities."

#8 Shawn Claud Lawson

Escorted by his Mom Colleen, Dad Samuel, Sister Nicole and Nephew Kymani

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Four-year starter
2. Tallied seven career goals with seven assists
3. 2014 All-Horizon League First Team selection tying for the team lead with four goals

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: The euphoric feeling of hoisting the coveted Horizon League trophy. Celebrating with my band of brothers, coaches, family and fellow student athletes was an unforgettable experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.Coach Pogue & Gorton had this to say about Lawson: "Shawn Claud has maybe said a total of 100 words since his arrival to campus in 2012, but he is an extraordinary talent with lots of ability to play in a variety of different positions. Shawn is a player that other players like to play with and that attracts oppositions to be aware of him. A fantastic touch and an ability to find his way through traffic has made him a fan favorite at Oakland and will be missed by us all."

Lawson would like to thank: "Though my years at Oakland, I've have had the pleasure to work with many special people. I'd like to thank Holly Kerstner and Evan Dermidoff for guiding me thought my academic progress and being a valuable support system for me. To all my coaches I've worked with: Eric Pogue, Stephen Gorton, Steve Sargeant, Dimir Muftari and Andy Wagstaff, you have made me grow as a person on and off the field. To all of my teammates, you've changed me and made me better. I would not be without my loving family. You've done so much for me and I will you back in investments."

#2 Jacob VanderLaan

Escorted by his Mom Amy, Dad Ken and Brother Corey

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. 1) Three-year defensive starter
2. Recorded five career assists
3. Member of 2014 defense backline that tallied seven shutouts including tying a Division I record with six consecutive games with a shutout and did not allow a goal in over 580 minutes of action.

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: Going undefeated in the Horizon League regular season and winning the conference tournament during the 2014 season.

Coach Pogue & Gorton on VanderLaan: "Jake has been a huge part of our back line all four years since coming to us in 2012 from Grand Rapids Crew Juniors. Jake has always led our team by example and provided versatility, consistency, heart and dedication which we will miss dearly in the future. Jake improved with each season through his hard work and is putting together his best season for his senior year"

VanderLaan would like to thank: "I would like to give a huge thank to my parents because without them and their support, I would not be where I am today. I am your biggest fan!! I love you for your support. I would also like to thank the coaching staff here at Oakland and my past club coaches for developing me into the player I am. I wish I had time to show my thanks to everyone else that has had an impact on my experience here at Oakland, but know I truly appreciate all of it. I will be forever bleed Black and Gold!"

#10 Raphael Reynolds

Escorted by his Mom Loida and Dad Michael

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Four-year starter and team captain
2. Recorded four career goals and four assists
3. Also member of 2014 backline that recorded seven shutouts, including tying a Division I record with six consecutive matches with a shutout and did not allow a goal in over 580 minutes of action.

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: Winning the Horizon League Tournament and playing in the NCAA Tournament

Coach Pogue & Gorton on Reynolds: "Raphael came to us from a great club in Canada, Vaughan SC in 2012 and has been a big part of the success we have had the past four years. Raphael's story at Oakland began as a center midfielder for his freshmen and sophomore years and has since moved to center back for us since 2014 to help the team and excelled. He has been an anchor in the back with dynamite passing abilities and a wonderful feel for the game. Raphael will be missed as a player and his personality will be missed from his teammates without a doubt."

Reynolds would like to thank: "Have you even had cookies and cream ice cream and while eating it, you just didn't want it to end? Well, that has been my journey here at Oakland these past four years. I wouldn't change the years here at Oakland for anything. I have met some pretty cool people and made some incredible memoires on an off the field. All of this wouldn't be possible without God and the unconditional love and support from my parents, family members and friends. I would like to thank and acknowledge all my teammates I've played with as well as my coaches: Eric Pogue, Stephen Gorton, Andy Wagstaff, Armen Tonianse, Steve Sargeant, Peter Langens, Dimir Muftari, John Timm and Stew Givens. And to all the people behind the scenes getting it done -- Claire Coates, Matt Herema, Holly Kerstner, Evan Dermidoff -- the absolute legend, Adrian Kowal and my main man and personal driver Chris Meny. Thank you everyone for the memories....but we are not done yet...."

#9 Matt Dudley

Escorted by his Mom Sandra and Dad Michael

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Four-year starter and team captain
2. Recorded 15 career assists and nine career goals including netting the game-winner in back-to-back Metro Series games against Detroit
3. 2014 All-Horizon League First Team selection leading the team with six assists and 12 points

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: Going to Kentucky and winning the first round NCAA game last season and progressing to the second round and winning the Horizon League Tournament at home.

Coach Pogue & Gorton on Dudley: "Matt has been exceptional on and off the field since arriving from Preston England in 2012 from Preston North End youth academy. Matt has the ability at any time to make difficult things look easy a trait that is hard to find in college soccer. Matt has been a consistent player for the Grizzlies all four years in the center of midfield and will be someone that will be sorely missed. The professional presence that he brings on a daily basis is a trait that can't be duplicated and the legacy he will leave here at Oakland, we only hope that our young players have learned from that presence."

Dudley would like to thank:"I'd also like to thank all the coaching staff that have helped me progress as a player and a person. So a big thanks goes to Eric Pogue, Stephen Gorton, Stew Givens Dimir Muftari, Steve Sargeant and to Andy Wagstaff who is the reason why I came to Oakland by recruiting me while I was playing back home in England. I've met some great people here over the past four years and I will keep in touch. Last and not least, a big shout out goes to my teammates throughout the years who helped make all the good times possible.",/p.

#6 Derek Nowak

Escorted by his Mom Jania, Dad Wes and Girlfriend Alex

Three greatest accomplishments at Oakland:

1. Four-year starter and team captain
2. Recorded four career assists
3. 2014 & 2015 Fall and 2015 Spring Horizon League Honor Roll selection and was named to Summit League All-Newcomer and Academic All-League teams

Favorite memory as a student-athlete: Winning the Horizon League Tournament last season after starting the season 0-5.

Coach Pogue & Gorton on Dudley: "Derek has been a warrior and an 'Unsung Hero' for us in the destroyer defensive center midfield role through his five seasons at Oakland coming to us from Force FC and White Eagles. A lead by example captain that has been a model of hard work, dedication, toughness and leadership. Derek epitomizes what it means to be a 'student-athlete' and has left a lasting impression and continued legacy for the Nowak name that his brother, Piotr, started here at Oakland in 2005 and we will miss him greatly."

Nowak would like to thank:"I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this team for the last four plus years. I would like to also like to thank all of my coaches, teammates and everyone else affiliated with Oakland athletics, currently and formerly, that has made me a better player and person."