ROCHESTER, Mich. - Riding the momentum of its first win of the season, Oakland continues its non-conference slate as it welcomes Grand Canyon to the Oakland Soccer Field.

The Golden Grizzlies enter the matchup on the heels of a 3-2 victory over UIC on Aug. 27, earning their first win of the 2026 campaign. Oakland's attack has been spearheaded by Cal Kurzawa, who earned Horizon League Offensive Player of the Week honors following his standout performance against the Flames. Kurzawa was also named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week, further highlighting his impact early in the season.

Kurzawa's two-goal performance against UIC, including the game-winning goal, helped Oakland secure the victory while also tallying an assist. The Golden Grizzlies will look to carry that offensive momentum into their meeting with Grand Canyon.

The Lopes enter the contest with a 1-2 record after falling 0-2 to UC Riverside on Aug. 28. Grand Canyon has found the back of the net just twice through its first three games, with Godson Anim and Sabri Hanni each accounting for one goal.

Grand Canyon has also faced challenges defensively, allowing at least two goals in two of its first three matches. Oakland will look to take advantage of those opportunities and continue building on its three-goal performance against UIC.

Despite its early-season struggles, Grand Canyon enters 2026 following a highly successful 2025 campaign. The Lopes captured the Western Athletic Conference Championship last season and advanced through a pair of NCAA Tournament matches, establishing themselves as a formidable postseason opponent.

Thursday's matchup marks just the second meeting all-time between Oakland and Grand Canyon. The teams first met in 2022, when the Lopes earned a 2-1 victory over the Golden Grizzlies at home.

Oakland will look to even the all-time series while continuing its momentum following its first victory of the season.