ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies return to Rochester after a four-game road stint to begin the season, ready to take on the Michigan Wolverines in their home opener before traveling to East Lansing for another in-state showdown against Michigan State.

Oakland (0-2-2) is still in search of its first win of the 2025 season. The Golden Grizzlies are fresh off an appearance at the Wolstein Classic in Columbus, Ohio, where they played the No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes close, falling just 1-0. They also were moments away from upsetting another top-25 team at the Classic, tying Dayton 1-1 after a potential game-winning goal by Abdul Al-Rashed was overturned in the 85th minute.

Christopher Jean Léger and Jace Foster were named to the All-Tournament Team after stellar efforts in the two-game stretch. Léger tallied three shots, two on goal, and was crucial to Oakland's offensive pressure. Foster anchored Oakland's back line, playing every minute of both matches and making a huge impact on both sides of the field.

Marco Mazzei has continued his hot start to the season, scoring his team-leading second goal in the tie with Dayton. Entering the week, Mazzei is one of just five players in the Horizon League with multiple goals. He also ranks in the top 10 in shots on goal (4).

Andriy Bilous has also shined early on, leading the team with two assists — a mark that ranks top three in the conference — while also sitting third in the league in total shots (10).

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5 vs. No. 25 MICHIGAN | 7 p.m.

The Golden Grizzlies will face their third consecutive top-25 opponent in the Wolverines, who moved into the No. 25 spot after a 3-0-1 start, most recently defeating Bowling Green 1-0.

Michigan has yet to play a match away from Ann Arbor, making this test against Oakland its first road game of 2025. Last season, the Wolverines struggled away from home, going 1-3-4 on the road.

Oakland will look to get back in the win column against Michigan, aiming to replicate its big home victory in 2023 when the Golden Grizzlies walked away with a 2-1 win behind a game-winner in the 84th minute.

In last year's meeting in Ann Arbor, the Wolverines earned a 2-1 win despite Oakland holding an 8-7 edge in shots.

Michigan is anchored by a stout defense, having allowed just two goals in four matches while boasting a +5 goal differential. Leading scorers Shuma Sasaki and Quin Rogers have netted two goals apiece.

Despite not taking a high volume of shots, the Wolverines have put 46% of them on target — the second-best mark in the Big Ten.

MONDAY, SEPT. 8 at MICHIGAN STATE | 7 p.m. | BTN+

Oakland pivots to a matchup with Michigan State to start the next week. The teams will meet for the first time since Oakland's emphatic 3-0 win at home in 2024, when the Golden Grizzlies netted all three goals in the first 40 minutes.

The Spartans enter the week 2-1, winning both of their home matches so far. With only three goals allowed in five contests, Michigan State presents another tough defensive challenge. Offensively, however, the Spartans have managed just three goals this season, lacking the same firepower as Michigan.

The all-time series between the programs is deadlocked, with Oakland holding an 11-11-1 record in 23 meetings. The Golden Grizzlies are unbeaten in the last two seasons against the Spartans and will look to extend that streak to three on Monday.