ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University Women's Soccer is on the road this Thursday, September 8 at 7:00 pm at the Demartin Soccer Complex.
In their previous game, the Golden Grizzlies lost in a nail-biter against Wake Forest which leaves their current season record at 3-1-2. However they continue to show consistency on the field with increasing offense efforts from a number of shot takers especially in their past game. Oakland had four different shot takers while passing the ball around and keeping Wake Forest on their toes during the course of the game.
Alexa Sabbagh is the team score leader as she totals two goals, however, there are a number of players following close behind with at least one goal each. Oaklands' offense proves that they have a hunger for attacking the net and passing the ball around this season as they continue to play like this.
Noëmi Stadelmann defends the Golden Grizzlies coming up to a 91.7% goal save percentage and a total of 22 saves for the season. Alongside her is goal keeper Haley Lindow defending the net proving to be an important component of the Oakland defense.
The United Soccer Coaches revealed its week three North Region Poll on September 6 with Oakland the No. 9 team in the region.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Spartans are currently 4-1-1 in the 2022 season. Score leaders for the team are Camryn Evens and Lauren DeBeau with three goals each followed by Courtney Koehler and Jordyn Wickies with two goals each this season.
Goalkeeper Lauren Kozal holds a 86.7% save percentage with 13 saves so far this season. Alongside her is goalkeeper Belle Okoroafo contributing to the Spartan defense.
Michigan State is currently 6th in the United Soccer Coaches North Region Poll.
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.
