ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies are set and ready to open their season as they prepare for a home-opening matchup against the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Thursday, and a big-time weekend match against Michigan on Sunday.

Oakland is ready to finally begin the season after playing three exhibition matches, where their young core of players was able to gel together and compete against quality opponents.

THURSDAY, AUG. 22 vs OMAHA at 7 P.M.

The Mavericks and Golden Grizzlies have only ever met twice, having split the matches both winning a game. The matchups came ten years apart, with Oakland's win coming in 2012 in a 2-1 overtime win, while Omaha earned the win in the most recent meeting in 2022 where the Mavericks scored a 1-3 win over Oakland. The matchup on Thursday will be the first held in Rochester.

In their exhibitions the Golden Grizzlies saw great play from many areas. Oakland's attacking offense looks to potentially be one of the best in the league, with players like Kevin Hubbell and Andrew Darakdjian having shown great ball skills and aggressiveness in the three games. New addition Andriy Bilous also showed promise in the final third of the field.

The Omaha Mavericks are also coming into the game with just a couple exhibitions under their belt, losing 0-1 to St. Louis and besting Western Iowa 2-1.

The team is the reigning 2023 Summit League Conference Champions, going 8-8-4 en route to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2020.

SUNDAY, AUG. 25 @ MICHIGAN at 2 P.M.

The Golden Grizzlies and the Wolverines come into this year's matchup looking to follow up on a thrilling match last season, where Oakland used a goal in the 84th minute to beat Michigan for the first time since 2017, which was also the last time they left An Arbor with a win, also winning 2-1.

Despite a fairly pedestrian record in 2023 (5-6-7), the Wolverines had a strong 4-1-4 home record. In a rough year last season Michigan also allowed the second most goals in the Big Ten (27), while ranking in the bottom half in goals (23), shots on goal (75), and assists (23).