PHOENIX, Ariz. – It was a hot Tuesday night in Phoenix as the Oakland Men's Soccer team was defeated by the Grand Canyon Antelopes 2-1, in what was a promising effort from the black and gold. 

Oakland took charge out of the gate with two, one-on-one chances versus the Antelopes keeper. In the 10', standout freshman forward Kevin Hubbell found himself with a breakaway opportunity. Hubbell managed to get past the GCU defensive line. With no one but the keeper between himself and the net, Hubbel would fire a shot that missed wide right. 

Hubbel's one-on-one opportunity was not the only one of the half. Ten or so minutes later, in the 21' forward Ahmad Hamad would find himself in nearly an identical situation. Much like the previous shot by Hubbell, Hamad's opportunity would also miss wide of the net. 

The ball found its way to Hamad consistently on Tuesday night. The 27' featured an Oakland scoring opportunity where Hamad placed a sound shot towards the bottom left corner of the net, forcing the Lopes' keeper Leon Schmidt to make a diving stop. 

Freshman goaltender Michael Sly Jr. continued to impress as the Grand Blanc native made a point blank save off the foot of a GCU attacker in the 30'.

The game wouldn't remain a stalemate much longer. Four minutes later, Ghana native, Bright Nutornutsi netted a goal just seconds after entering the game for the first time tonight, giving GCU the early 1-0 advantage.  

Oakland would quickly strike back. After many nearly perfectly placed shots that struck the post in previous games, Ville Ahola would finally boot one off his right foot that found the back of the net. The first goal of the regular-season for the Finland native couldn't have come at a better time as it brought the game back to a 1-1 tie and gave the Golden Grizzlies a massive morale boost.

GOLDEN GRIZZLIES GOAL

Ville Ahola knots it up in the 39' of the first half

Oakland 1, Grand Canyon 1. pic.twitter.com/tCO5YpMlgc

— Oakland Men's Soccer (@OaklandMSOC) September 14, 2022

Dawsun Schrum would get credit for the assist. The assist marks two consecutive games where Schrum has plated a ball for a teammate.

The end of the first 45 minutes and the beginning minutes of the second half both saw Sly Jr. yet again showcase his athleticism between the pipes. Just minutes before the halftime whistle, Sly Jr. leaped in the air to snag a shot off a GCU free-kick. Sly Jr. opened the second half of play by swatting the ball away on an Antelope's cross attempt. 

GCU would place what would-be the deciding goal in the 50' off the foot of sophomore Clayton Duarte. 

In the 83', the Golden Grizzlies found themselves with their best chance to even the score. A penalty called in the GCU box resulted in Owen Smith attempting a penalty kick. The lone OU goal scorer from the previous game (versus Purdue Fort Wayne 9/10) was unable to do the same in tonight's contest as the Antelope's keeper made a diving save towards the bottom left corner of the goal. 

Smith found himself with a second-chance minutes later. With five minutes to go and the intensity of the game at an all-time high, Smith laced a shot off a free-kick towards the GCU keeper from just a few yards beyond the box. This shot too would be swallowed up by the Lope's goaltender. 

The final whistle would ring-out through GCU stadium minutes later, concluding the game as a 2-1 victory for the Antelope's.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
 

• Ahola tallies first goal of the regular-season.
• Season high four shots for Hamad.
• Two shots on goal for Smith 
• Micah Sonnenberg, Gabriel Baylon, and Hubbel each with one shot.
• Charlie Retzer two shots on the night. 
• Sly Jr. with three saves versus the Antelopes.

Next up, the defending Horizon League Champions will make a pit-stop in Ann Arbor for a match with in-state rival, the Michigan Wolverines. The match will take place on Monday, Sept. 19 at 7:00pm at the University of Michigan Soccer Stadium.