ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University Women's Soccer is hosting Wake Forest this Sunday, September 4 on the OU Soccer Field.
Oakland is coming off a strong win against Toledo this past week. Macey Wierenga was the first to score early in the game, setting the tone for what became a very successful win for the Golden Grizzlies. Following her came three more goals from Shannon Brown, Sharon Sampson, and Alexa Sabbagh. Not only this, but the Oakland offense continues to attack the net and outshoot Toledo in both the first and second half to add another win to their season record of 3-0-2.
Alexa Sabbagh leads the team with two goals and one assist, followed by six other Golden Grizzly players with one goal each for the duration of the season so far. Coming up to 70 shots already for the season, Oakland continues to attack the net during every game.
Haley Lindow defends the Golden Grizzlies with two saves during her time on the field, coming to 90.9% saves combined with Noëmi Stadelmann. Oakland continues to defend the net with strong goalkeeping from both players this season.
The United Soccer Coaches revealed its week two North Region Poll on August 23 with Oakland the No. 6 team in the region.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Demon Deacs are undefeated with a season record of 4-0-1. Most recently taking an aggressive win from High Point University scoring 7-0, they demonstrate consistency on the field this season. Alex Wood leads the team in goals with a total of three goals, followed by Olivia Stowell and Emily Morris.
Kaitlyn Parks totaled 11 saves so far this season with a save percentage of 91.7%. Additionally, Madison Howard totaled three saves with 100% save percentage showing successful defensive efforts for the Demon Deacons this season.
Wake Forest is 25th in the NCAA RPI behind South Carolina since December 6, 2021.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The United Soccer Coaches revealed its week one North Region Poll on August 23 with Oakland the No. 6 team in the region just behind Michigan and above Indiana, respectively.
FAVERO CONTRACT EXTENDED
Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero's contract has been extended through the 2026 season, Oakland University announced in August.
PRESEASON NO. 1
Oakland was selected as the preseason favorite in the 2022 #HLWSOC Preseason Poll with 115 votes and five first-place votes.
NEWCOMERS TO WATCH
Seven newcomers enter the 2022 Golden Grizzlies roster on both sides of the field including transfer Allie Tefend and freshman Anuhea Aluli from Hawaii.
LOPEZ PLAYER TO WATCH
Midfielder Sami Lopez is one of 38 women named to an exclusive list that is the NCAA Division I Players to Watch release which included four returning All-Americans from a year ago. Lopez is the only Horizon League student-athlete mentioned.
FOUR ON 2021 #HLWSOC ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
Lopez and Zak find themselves on the All-League First Team roster with Dhlamini on the Second Team List in 2021. Rounding out the honors was Sharon Sampson on the All-Freshman Team squad.
NATIONAL TEAM - GOLDEN GRIZZLIES
Dhlamini and Sharon Sampson are two Golden Grizzlies playing on the national stage as Dhlamini's South African National Team won the 2022 WAFCON final to qualify for the Women's World Cup in 2023. Sampson made a roster spot on the U-20 "Black Princess of Ghana" National team, playing in the 2022 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Costa Rica.
