VALPARAISO, Ind. - The Golden Grizzlies lost to Valparaiso 4-1 on Thursday. Oakland came on strong in the second half, generating 11 of its 14 shots after halftime, but was held scoreless over the final 45 minutes.
Oakland responded to Valpo's early goal with pressure of its own, earning two corners in the first 15 minutes before
Lilly Boebel scored at 15:26 to make it 1-1. Boebel's goal was an Olimpico, scored directly off a corner kick, and it was her first goal of the season.
Norah Schmidt helped keep the match level during a physical opening stretch, saving Brylie Walos' shot in the 14th minute.
Boebel had another attempt go wide less than two minutes after her goal, and
Bailey Giddings put a shot on frame in the 29th minute as well. Valpo moved back ahead on Martha Goddard's goal at 36:35, and Schmidt added saves in the 36th and 40th minutes before Oakland went into halftime down 2-1.
Oakland spent the first 20 minutes of the second half chasing a 2-1 deficit with sustained pressure, taking eight shots from 49:08 to 65:19, including attempts by
Bella Haynes,
Nicole Grimaldo, and
Isabella Bierod, whose attempt bounced off the top woodwork.
The Beacons answered with goals by Kiara Desiderio at 67:13 and Martha Goddard at 71:50, pushing Oakland's deficit to 4-1 despite another Schmidt save in between. Oakland continued to look for a response late, with
Emma Smith forcing a save at 76:23, a corner kick at 79:30 and additional shots from Giddings and
Brae Cole, but the match ended with Valpo ahead 4-1.
Boebel scored an unassisted goal and finished with two shots, putting one on frame.
Bailey Giddings put one of her team-high three shots on goal.
Isabella Bierod also tallied three shots for Oakland.
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies begin conference play as they host Cleveland State University on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at 7 p.m.
