Sept. 16, 2015 ROCHESTER, Mich . - Oakland opens the Horizon League season with its homecoming game against Milwaukee Friday, September 18 at 7 p.m. ET followed by a non-conference home game against Duquesne Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. Senior Joan Sieja leads the team with seven points, tied for fifth in the conference. The Golden Grizzlies were picked to finish second in the Horizon League Preseason poll behind Valparaiso in August. Sunday is Club Day, where all local soccer club members eighth-grade and below receive free admission and post-game autographs.
A LOOK AT THE PANTHERS: Off to their best start since 2011 and coming off a commanding 9-0 win over Chicago State, Milwaukee comes to Rochester having allowed just six goals in as many games, good for second in the Horizon League. Last week, junior goalkeeper Paige Lincicum was named the Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week after posting a 1-0-1 record, making seven saves in a draw against Wisconsin where the Panthers were out-shot 28-4. Lincicum also played 70 scoreless minutes against Chicago State. The Panthers' offense is led by junior Callie O'Donnell who has seven points this season (3 goals, 1 assist). Last year, Milwaukee finished eighth in the Horizon League with a 2-4-2 (6-10-2 overall) record.
SCOUTING THE DUKES: After starting the season 4-1, Duquesne has nearly equaled their wins from 2014 (5) as they come to the Oakland Soccer Field for the Golden Grizzlies' final non-conference game of the season. Freshman Katie O'Connor leads the Dukes with 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists), tied for third in the Atlantic 10. Last week, she was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week after recording six points (2 goals, 2 assists) in the Dukes' two road victories against Seton Hall and Princeton. In 2014, Duquesne held a record of 5-10-3 (2-5-1 in league play) finishing 12th in the Atlantic 10.
ALL-HORIZON LEAGUE RETURNERS: The 2015 team adds 10 newcomers and returns 17 players led by All-Horizon League First-Team selection Alice Palmer who led the team in points (17), goals (7) and assists (3) while ranking tied for second in the league in goals, including two game-winners, second in shots (70), third in points and eighth in assists. All-League Second-Team selection Joan Sieja also returns after finishing second on the team in assists (2) along with All-Freshman Team selection Vlad Gurovski who finished third on the team in goals (2) and points (4).
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