Women's Soccer Returns Home for Two-Game Stint of Illinois Opponents

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies gear up for a two-game home stint as they return to the OU Soccer field for a pair of games against Illinois State and Northern Illinois this week.

Oakland is looking to bounce back from a difficult 0-4 loss against Kent State on Sunday.

THURSDAY, AUG. 29 vs ILLINOIS STATE at 5 PM

The Golden Grizzlies and the Redbirds will face off for the seventh time in history, with Oakland holding a 1-3-2 record in the series. The teams did face off in 2023, ending in a 2-2 tie in Normal, Ill. as Frankie Mudd and Melaina Troy each scored goals in the match.

The game on Thursday will be the first time the Redbirds have traveled to Rochester since 2007, a game where the teams once again played to a 2-2 tie. Despite the last two matchups ending in ties, the Golden Grizzlies have gone winless in the last five meetings with Illinois State, looking to break that streak this week.

Junior Frankie Mudd has been the bright spot on the attack for the Golden Grizzlies, leading the team in shots (10), shots on goal (4), and goals (1) through four games. Oakland will also be featuring a new member on Thursday, as new transfer Thai Quallich will make her black and gold debut.

The Redbirds come into the game with a balanced 1-1-1 record, having faced already two Horizon League opponents, beating Green Bay 2-1 in their season opener (8/15) and playing to a draw against Purdue Fort Wayne (8/18). Most recently Illinois State suffered a 4-0 loss to Illinois (8/25).

For the Redbirds redshirt sophomore Sammi Cenek and freshman Chloe Cline have scored the team's only goals this season, both against Green Bay.

Despite a one goal total difference on the season, 2-to-1 in favor of Illinois State, Oakland has the upper hand in offensive aggression coming into the game, taking 7.5 shots per game compared to 6.3 for the Redbirds. Oakland looks to keep pushing and break a relative dry spell in terms of scoring to start the season.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 vs NORTHERN ILLINOIS at 1 PM

The Golden Grizzlies will be hunting for their first ever win against the Huskies, currently holding a 0-2-1 head-to-head record. Their last meeting came in 2023 where the teams drew 0-0. The last time the teams met at the OU Soccer Field was

Heading into the week the Huskies are 1-0-1 in the early going, playing to a 0-0 tie to DePaul (8/15) and a 4-1 victory over St. Thomas (8/22).

Northern Illinois puts out a high-volume of shots at 11 per game, tallying 12 against St. Thomas.

Last season the Huskies went 2-4-1 in non-conference play (8-8-3 overall), as they fell in the first round of the MAC Tournament.

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Players Mentioned

#12 Frankie Mudd: F; Sophomore

#28 Melaina Troy: D/F; Freshman

#10 Thai Quallich: MF; 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

#12 Frankie Mudd
: Sophomore
: F

#28 Melaina Troy
: Freshman
: D/F

#10 Thai Quallich
: 5' 4"; Redshirt Freshman
: MF

Players Mentioned

#12 Frankie Mudd

#28 Melaina Troy

#10 Thai Quallich

Players Mentioned

#12 Frankie Mudd

#28 Melaina Troy

#10 Thai Quallich