Sept. 3, 2015 ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland travels west for a pair of road matches starting with Grand Canyon Friday, September 4 at 10 p.m. ET followed by Northern Arizona on Sunday, September 6 at 2 p.m. ET. The Golden Grizzlies look to earn their first win of the season coming off three consecutive ties against Central Michigan, Michigan State and St. Bonaventure.
A LOOK AT THE ANTELOPES: Entering their third season at the Division I level, the 2015 campaign began with a 3-2 overtime win against in-state rival Northern Arizona (Aug. 21) as junior Kelsie Roberts sent in the game-winning header, marking the first win over Northern Arizona in school history. The Antelopes then defeated Colorado State 2-1 (Aug. 28) and lost to Weber State 1-0 (Aug. 30). Junior Maria Monterroso was named the WAC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Last season, the Antelopes finished with an 8-9-1 overall record going 7-3 in conference play, winning seven of their final eight games to finish tied for third in the Western Athletic Conference.
SCOUTING THE LUMBERJACKS: Picked to win the Big Sky Conference this season, Northern Arizona is seeking their first win against Oakland as the two teams meet for just the second time with Oakland defeating the Lumberjacks 1-0 in 2009. In 2014, they finished with a 12-6-4 overall record, placing third in the Big Sky at 5-2-3 and won the conference tournament. They return five all-conference players in seniors Haley Wingender, Cierra Gamble and Ashlynn Curnow, redshirt junior Natalie Gilbertson and sophomore Adrian Nixt.
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).
