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UNLEASH THE GRIZZ

Oakland University Athletics

Scoreboard

wsoc win
0
Illinois St. ISU (1-2-1, 0-0-0)
1
Winner Oakland OAK (1-3-1, 0-0-0)
Illinois St. ISU
(1-2-1, 0-0-0)
0
Final
1
Oakland OAK
(1-3-1, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Illinois St. ISU 0 0 0
Oakland OAK 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Brendan Pagel

Women's Soccer Earns First Win Behind Sazali Goal

Rochester, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies secure their first win of the season in a hard-nosed defensive battle as Oakland defeated the Illinois State Redbirds one to zero at the Oakland Soccer Field!

The Redbirds had the first opportunity as Isabelle Cameron had a shot on goal that was saved by Golden Grizzly goalkeeper Julia Zangerl. The Golden Grizzlies then had an opportunity immediately afterward where Lisa Kazandijan's shot missed wide right.

Ultimately it was the Golden Grizzlies who struck first at the thirty one minute mark as Putri Sazali capitalized on a free kick goal  from outside the box, firing the ball into the top corner to give the  Golden Grizzlies an early 1-0 lead!

Behind Sazali's highlight goal the Golden Grizzlies held the lead going into. Despite being behind, the Redbirds dominated the shots in the opening 45 minutes as they outshot the Golden Grizzlies seven to two, even though many of the shots were blocked by the Oakland defense. The Golden Grizzlies defense was stifling anchored by goalkeeper Julia Zangler made sure no goals were allowed in the first half, using an iron-fist to punch away several Redbird crossing opportunities.

Opening the second half the Golden Grizzlies had a great opportunity to add on to their lead in the 57th minute, but Illinois State's goalkeeper Madi Valenti stood tall as she deflected Shannon Brown's shot.

The Golden Grizzlies then had another opportunity to extend their lead in the 68h minute, however Shannon Brown's shot missed just wide left as she continued an aggressive night. 

Illinois State kept the pressure on in the final half, tryinf even the game, including a great shot at the seventy eight minute mark by Aniya Seymore, but it was an even better save by Zangerl to hold the Golden Grizzlies lead!

While the Redbirds seemed to dominate the possession game in the second half, it was the Golden Grizzlies who did enough defensively to hold their 1-0 lead until the final whistle.

While many of the stats like shots (11-to-6), and corner kicks (12-to-3)  favored Illinois State, Oakland was able to make sure that none of those resulted in goals helping the Golden Grizzlies triumph. The two teams tied in shots on goal at three each, but Oakland converted on the one that mattered most.

For Oakland Brown led the charge on offense with a team high three shots and two shots on goal. Sazali sealed the deal with her game-winning goal, first of the season and as captain. In goal, Zangerl showed a solid performance with three saves in a full 90 minutes.

The Golden Grizzlies will look to start a winning streak against the state of Illinois on Sunday, Sep. 1 at 1 p.m. when Northern Illinois heads to the Oakland Soccer Field for the second of a three game home stand for the Golden Grizzlies!
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