ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies look to improve to 2-0 to start the season as they travel to Akron to face the Zips on Sunday.

Oakland is coming off an impressive, season-opening 3-0 win over Mercyhurst on Aug. 13. In the match, Oakland sent a barrage of shots toward the Lakers' defense, tallying 14 total shots, including nine on goal.

Ava Ruffino and Bailey Giddings both tallied their first goals of the season, while Norah Schmidt recorded her first career shutout as a starting goalkeeper.

The Golden Grizzlies will face the Zips, who, after playing Wright State and Northern Kentucky in exhibition play, will open their season against another Horizon League opponent in Oakland.

Akron looks to improve upon a 2025 season in which it finished 5-9-4 (2-7-3 MAC) and missed the postseason. The Zips did, however, hold their own in non-conference home matches last season, going a perfect 3-0-0 in such contests.

The Zips return two of their top players, as Jordanne Oberhaus and Addison Hall highlight a squad that scored 18 goals in 2025. Oberhaus led the team in points (12), recording four goals and four assists, while Hall tallied four goals and two assists on the season.

The last time Oakland and Akron met was in 2024, when the Zips earned a narrow 1-0 victory at home. Despite the loss, Oakland leads the all-time series with a 2-1-1 record against the MAC foe, with its last victory coming in a 2-1 decision in Akron in 2009.

Oakland looks to continue its strong start to the season and tally its first 2-0 start since 2014. Kickoff against Akron is slated for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16, at FirstEnergy Stadium.