ROCHESTER, Mich. - Noah Jensen recorded his nation's best 11th assist of the season and scored the game-winning goal off a penalty kick with an assist while Dawsun Schrum and Charlie Braithwaite each recorded goals as Oakland held off Cleveland State, 3-2, finishing the regular season home schedule a perfect 5-0 at the Grizz Dome on Thursday. Dylan Borczak also added two assists while Adam McAleenan added his second helper of the season. 

Goalkeeper Finn Jurak made a season-high eight saves including a huge penalty kick save after the Golden Grizzlies had to play a man down during the end of the first half throughout the remainder of the game.

Oakland (5-1-2 HL) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half. At the 6:14 mark, Schrum got behind two Cleveland State (4-4 HL) defenders and took a through ball feed from Borczak inside the box. The last CSU defender slide tackled Schrum after he shot the ball sending him flying through the air as CSU keeper Omeed Naeemy came off the line to make the initial save. Schrum was able to get right up, without losing momentum, after landing and rolling on the ground to kick the lose ball rebound into the empty net giving Oakland a 1-0 lead.

In the seventh minute, Jensen sent in a long ball to Borczak on the left side who in turn slotted the ball to a streaking Braithwaite into the box. He was able to take a turn and beat Naeemy to the low right side for his team second-best fifth goal of the season.

In the 38th minute, Mohammad Jamal Issa took a red card in the box using his hand to prevent a shot from going past Jurak leaving Oakland a man down the rest of the game. The gamble proved to be worth it and Jurak made a clutch diving save on the ensuing penalty kick preserving the 2-0 lead going into halftime. 

At the 47th minute, CSU's Naeemy took a yellow card on an aggressive save attempt which resulted in a penalty kick for Oakland. Jensen stepped up and scored his third PK goal of the season moving the Golden Grizzlies ahead 3-0.

CSU responded with a goal just 19 seconds later and added another in the 85th minute cutting Oakland's lead to 3-2. However, Jurak and the back line stood tall to close out the game to preserve the win.

Oakland heads to IUPUI for a match on Tuesday, March 12 at 3 p.m.




 
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