Rochester, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies have officially advanced to the #HLMSOC Championship final after a victory over Purdue Fort Wayne in the tournament semifinals.

Taking the early slot of the two games played on Thursday, Oakland opened up the tournament play at Oakland Soccer Field at 1 p.m. 

Oakland was welcomed with their well-earned home field advantage, with a crowd cheering them on on the most important game of the season.

As they opened up semifinal play, the Golden Grizzlies seemingly had the momentum from the moment the game started, living on Purdue Fort Wayne's side of the field in the first 45 minutes.

As they put the pressure on the Mastodons, a golden opportunity arose as Oakland drew a foul in Purdue Fort Wayne's box, leading to a penalty kick and a shot to take the early lead just 16 minutes into the game. Oakland Captain and Horizon League Offensive Player of the Year Mikey Ketteman stepped into the box to square up the PK. He sent a booming kick towards the net, but Mastodon goalkeeper Max Collingwood made an amazing diving save to prevent the Oakland goal. With the ball still careening around, Ketteman saw another shot opportunity, but at the very last moment a line of Mastodon defenders swarmed at the ball, knocking it away just inches before it crossed the threshold, keeping the game even for the time being.

With the game still knotted at zero, Oakland would rely on their second-leading goal scorer, senior Owen Smith, to put them ahead. Less than 10 minutes after their near goal, Smith took his chance and left no doubt. Smith received a cross from fellow senior Ville Ahola, and took just two touches before sending an absolute beam at the opponent goal for his seventh goal of the season, lifting the Golden Grizzlies ahead 1-0 In the 24' minute.

The offense struck early, and the defense carried them the rest of the way. Purdue Fort Wayne was only able to send out four shots all game, with none of them being on goal. Oakland was able to produce six shots, with three of them being on goal. The Mastadons also produced four corner kicks, but were not able to create quality looks as the Oakland defense held solid and didn't budge, making sure that their lead was secure. 

"Playoff soccer always produces difficult matches, but I thought we came out and played really well, especially in the first half. We were playing on the front foot and getting in behind their defense," said Oakland Head Coach Eric Pogue after the win. "In the second stanza the game was kind of back and forth, but it's natural tendency to want to keep a clean sheet and not allow any goal scoring opportunities... If they don't score they cant win, so that's a pretty good formula right now for us".

Oakland will bring their hot streak back to Oakland Soccer Field on Saturday, Nov. 9 as they look to take advantage of their home field advantage once more as they look forward to a rematch with Green Bay in the title game at 1 p.m.

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