ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland secured their spot in the title game after defeating the Flames in the Horizon League semifinals. The Golden Grizzlies defeated UIC 3-1, with
Noah Jensen scoring the first and last goal.
Mikey Ketteman added the game-winning goal on a PK as well, his team-leading 10th on the season.
The Golden Grizzlies got out to a quick 1-0 advantage after Jensen took a cross from
Owen Smith and fired it past the UIC keeper. That was the fifth goal of the season for Jensen, a mark which would not last long.
After halftime, UIC found the equalizer shortly into the second half. It took them two tries after goalkeeper
Finn Jurak saved a PK in the 58th minute. Eduardo Garcia found a crack in the defense, scoring the Flames lone goal in the 63rd minute.
In the 68th minute, Ketteman grabbed the lead back for Oakland after drawing a PK. Ketteman put the ball dead center, blowing right by the goalkeeper diving to his right. Ketteman's 10th goal was the game-winning point for Oakland. Shortly after, Jensen added an insurance goal on another PK, putting the ball through in the 72nd minute. Jensen's sixth goal put him at tied for second on the team in scoring with
Dylan Borczak.
Oakland won despite being out-shot by UIC 19-9. Jurak was big between the posts, recording nine saves and only allowing the one goal.
The Golden Grizzlies will face the winner of Cleveland State/Milwaukee on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m for the Horizon League title. The winner secures an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
