ROCHESTER, Mich. – On Thursday, August 24, Oakland University Women's Soccer will make the trek to Evanston, Illinois for the program's first road game of the 2023 season as it'll do battle with No. 18 Northwestern University on Big Ten Network +. 

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Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero achieved a new milestone in Oakland's (1-0-1) 1-0 win on Sunday against Eastern Michigan University with his 200th career win. Anuhea Aluli did the honors with an assist from Sara Ivandic and Macey Wierenga.

Oakland won the game even after being down a player via a red card with 81 minutes to go in regulation. Julia Zangerl saw 15 shots placed her way in goal as the freshman locked down with four saves in the match.

Wierenga leads the team in points on the year with three after her assist on Sunday and her solo goal on Thursday as the team dropped a thriller to Kent State University at home. Frankie Mudd and Putri Sazali have given goalkeepers trouble with their two shots apiece.

On the defensive side, Oakland has only allowed one goal through two games with two keepers making an appearance in the young season in Zangerl and Hayley Lindow. 

13 Golden Grizzlies who have earned significant minutes are newcomers to the team led by Hannah Russell, who has accumulated 151 minutes of play followed by Wierenga at 145. 

On Sunday, August 27, Oakland will continue to be on the road with Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. 

SCOUTING THE WILDCATS

Sitting at No. 18 in the latest NCAA Division I Coach's Poll, Northwestern comes to their home pitch after a 0-0 tie to Kansas State last Sunday, outshooting the visiting team in a match-up of two purple-and-white wildcat teams. 

To open the year, Northwestern defeated the University of Marquette 4-0 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Josie Aulicino, Emma Phillips, Ella Hase, and Meg Boade all recording a goal in the match. Aulicino put up five shots and recorded an assist in the win.

Between the pipes, Reiley Fitzpatrick hasn't allowed a single goal and grabbed four saves in two games. Gina Muzi made an eight-and-a-half-minute appearance on the year with a save. 

Last year, the Wildcats visited Rochester, Michigan in a scoreless draw. After this match, Northwestern will visit the Mid-American Conference opponent the University of Toledo on Sunday. 

FOLLOW OAKLAND 

Student-athletes, parents, and fans can follow women's soccer on social media using @OaklandWSOC on Twitter and Instagram. The Gold Standard Name, Image, and Likeness Marketplace is available to bridge NIL opportunities for student-athletes and can be found here via Opendorse.