ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Oakland men's soccer team completed a comeback for the ages as Dawsun Schrum and Charlie Braithwaite each scored goals followed by two from Noah Jensen to erase a 3-0 second-half deficit and secure a 4-3 win over Cleveland State who was previously unbeaten in Horizon League play. Robbie Cleary posted his first two career assists while Kai Garvey and Sebastian Nuzzo also each recorded their first career assists. Jensen also added a helper for his team-leading fifth assist of the season.

Cleveland State (6-5, 5-1HL) took a 1-0 lead into the half off of a penalty kick.

Both teams then accounted for six second-half goals starting with CSU who took a commanding 3-0 with goals in the 53rd and 63rd minute.

Oakland (4-5-2, 3-1-1HL) turned to its bench for a spark in the offense. In the 68th minute, Cleary took the ball down the left side and slid a pass over the Nuzzo who moved deep towards the end line. Nuzzo then delivered a cross that sailed past the goalmouth and connected with Schrum who tapped the ball which just made it over the goal line to put the Golden Grizzlies on the board.

Just two minutes later, Garvey took a pass from Jensen, made a run into the box, and hit a shot right at CSU keeper Omeed Naeemy who made a right-foot save. However, the ball deflected right to a charging Braithwaite who put the rebound into the back of the net cutting the deficit to 3-2.

In the 73rd minute, Jensen drove the ball off a free-kick that deflected off the defensive wall and beat Naeemy to the right size for the equalizer.

Oakland completed the comeback as Owen Smith sent in a long ball off a free-kick. After a couple of deflections, Garvey shot the ball which was blocked but ended up on the right foot of Cleary who was able to slot the ball through traffic to an unmarked Jensen on the right side who fired the ball into the to of the net for the game-winner.

The Golden Grizzlies continue league play against Green Bay on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.




 
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