ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies continue their season with a two-game week, heading to Highland Heights to take on Northern Kentucky (NKU) before returning home for a long-awaited match at the Oakland Soccer Field against Cleveland State. Both contests are expected to be high-level defensive battles.

Oakland is looking to break out of a recent slump, going five straight matches without a win after a 2-0 loss at St. Bonaventure on Sunday (Sept. 14). Despite a rough stretch of outcomes, the Golden Grizzlies have seen positive improvements in many aspects. Their defense has been solid the entire season, having allowed two or more goals just twice. They also have been in control of possession, out-possessing opponents like Kent State, St. Bonaventure, and Toledo.

In their match against the Bonnies the Golden Grizzlies made several key runs, coming just one touch away from a chance on goal. Oakland's final piece to the puzzle is finishing, which with goal-scoring threats like Mallory Anderson, Brae Cole, and Isabella Bierod should come as conference play begins.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18 – at Northern Kentucky | 5 p.m.

Oakland takes on its first Horizon League opponent in a weekday matchup against the Norse.

NKU enters the match on a cold spell of its own, winning just one of its last five matches. Despite the rough stretch, the Norse hold a 3-1-4 record exiting non-conference play and rank among the top statistical teams in the league.

The Norse have been dominant on both ends of the pitch, leading the Horizon League in goals scored (20) and goals per game (2.5), while also allowing the fewest goals (6) of any team in the conference.

The match will feature top-tier individual scoring talent as NKU's Megan Moiner goes head-to-head with Oakland's Brae Cole. Both are tied for the league lead with five goals and rank among the top four in shots on goal.

NKU's Lily Yordy also leads the conference in assists (7), bolstering the Norse's attack, while goalkeeper Megan Gessner has been steady in net with 31 saves and just six goals allowed.

Historically, Oakland and NKU have been evenly matched, with the Golden Grizzlies holding a 7-5-3 record all-time in the series. Despite falling 4-1 in last year's contest, Oakland has gone unbeaten in five of the last six meetings and has not lost in Highland Heights since 2018.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21 – vs. Cleveland State | 1 p.m. | ESPN+

Oakland opens its home conference schedule on Alumni Day, hosting the Cleveland State Vikings.

Cleveland State enters the week at 3-3-1 after back-to-back wins over St. Bonaventure and Morehead State, outscoring its opponents 4-0 in those contests.

The Vikings own the second-best scoring defense in the conference, allowing just eight goals (1.14 per game), led by goalkeeper Hayleigh Lewis, who ranks second in the league in saves per game (6.0).

Oakland's Maryn Weiger joins Cleveland State's Lewis and NKU's Moiner among the elite goalkeepers in the Horizon League, ranking third in goals-against average (1.60) and fourth in total goals allowed (8).