ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland Men's Soccer is set to host the DePaul Blue Demons in the 2022 season's home opener on September 1 at 7:00pm at the Oakland Soccer Field.
OU aims to make their first scratch in the win column for the 2022 season after dropping their first two games in Nebraska to Creighton and Omaha, respectively. The Golden Grizzlies' offense has since heated up as of late. In their last contest, OU booted 10 shots at the Omaha keeper and one of them, by way of Dawsun Schrum, found the back of the net.
Oakland once again has stellar goaltending play between the pipes early this season as Australian keeper Finn Jurak leads the Horizon League in saves per game through two games with 5.50. Jurak is also listed as top in the conference in total saves with 12 in the early stages of the 2022 season.
The OU offense has been spread evenly so far, as six Golden Grizzlies have recorded a shot this season. Currently, Oakland's offense is headed by midfielder, Ville Ahola and forward, Schrum. Ahola has 3 shots, the most of any Oakland player this season and Schrum leads the black and gold in goals with one.
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Golden Grizzlies and Blue Demons. DePaul holds the all-time series advantage with three wins to Oakland's one.
SCOUTING REPORT
DePaul is 1-0-1 in the early 2022 season after a tie versus No. 25 Bowling Green and a victory against Bucknell. The Blue Demons' offense has 15 shots and two goals on the season scored by forward, Marek Gonda and defenseman, Jake Frudder.
DePaul was picked to finish ninth out of 11 teams in the Big East Men's Soccer Preseason Poll; they currently sit at third in the Big East standings.
TOURNAMENT TEAM RETURNS
Oakland is coming off a historic entry into the NCAA Tournament after winning both the regular season and tournament Horizon League titles, falling in the first round to Northern Illinois.
NO. 1 IN THE LEAGUE
Oakland was picked to finish first in the Horizon League in the annual #HLMSOC Preseason Coaches Poll.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Head Coach Eric Pogue was named Horizon League Coach of the Year in 2021 following a 10-6-2 overall record, 8-1-1 in conference play.
ALL-LEAGUE RETURNERS
The Golden Grizzlies reload in 2022 with four of the seven All-Horizon League honorees last season in Mikey Ketteman,
Reid Sproat,
Ville Ahola, and
Kai Garvey.
NEWCOMER IMPACT
With plenty of new faces to go around, Oakland was introduced to fire power in the exhibition games in Charlie Retzler, Ahmad Hamad,
Jace Foster, and
Addrian Knights-Browne to name a few.
