ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies officially begin the 2026 season on Thursday, traveling to Erie, Pa., to take on the Mercyhurst University Lakers.

Oakland charges into the season with high expectations, finishing fifth in the #HLWSOC Preseason Poll, marking its highest preseason ranking in three years under Head Coach Devin Zvosec.

With their eyes on a Horizon League title, Oakland faces Mercyhurst in the first of seven non-conference bouts to start the season before diving into conference play.

The Lakers and Golden Grizzlies will match up for the second straight season and for just the second time ever. In last year's meeting, Oakland delivered a high-scoring 4-2 win at home behind a hat trick from Brae Cole and another goal from Mallory Anderson.

Cole and Anderson, the teams' top two goal scorers from 2025, headline an Oakland team that returns 12 players who made at least one start last season. The Golden Grizzlies aim to secure a similar result and win their season opener for the first time since 2022.

Mercyhurst returns to the pitch after an abysmal 2025 campaign, finishing with a 3-13-3 (3-6-2 NEC) record and missing the conference tournament.

The Lakers were shut out seven times throughout the season but found a groove down the final stretch, winning their final two matches. Without their team leader in goals (four) and assists (four) last season, Madison Sievering, Mercyhurst turns to redshirt junior forward Maddi Cowburn, who was the only player besides Sievering to tally multiple goals and assists (two each) in 2025.

The two teams kick off on Thursday, Aug. 13, at 5 p.m. ET at Mercyhurst Soccer Field.