ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland defeated IU Indy in a 1-0 thriller on Saturday at Oakland Soccer Field. Christopher Jean-Leger netted a game-winning goal in the 83rd minute, with
Julian Kanzler and
Miller Knestrict assisting the goal.
The Golden Grizzlies finished with a 17-8 shot advantage and put nine attempts on goal, setting season highs in both marks, while holding the Jags to three shots on frame.
The Golden Grizzlies generated nine shots and forced three saves in the first half, but the teams went into halftime tied 0-0 after
Cole Thompson made a pair of saves for Oakland.
Kinan Abdulrazzak drove much of Oakland's early pressure, taking four shots early. Abdulrazzak registered a season-high of five shots as he ignited the Golden Grizzlies' aggression.
The Jags answered with a stretch around the 33rd minute, but Thompson saved Christian Nielsen's shot at the 32nd minute and Oakland got through the pressure without conceding.
The Golden Grizzlies pushed again late in the half, with Jean-Leger forcing a save at 37:48, three corner kicks in quick succession and
Zach Townsend putting another shot on target at 39:14. The half would close in a scoreless stalemate.
The Golden Grizzlies came out in the second half with a sustained attacking stretch, getting three
Cal Kurzawa shots, a
Jayden Pinheiro attempt and two corners from 67:53 to 69:52, looking to break the draw.
Jean-Leger broke through in the 84th minute, scoring on assists from
Julian Kanzler and
Miller Knestrict to put the Golden Grizzlies in front 1-0. Knestrict's assist was his first of the season.
Cole Thompson added a save in the 76th minute before Oakland's late pressure produced a Jean Leger shot, a corner and the eventual goal. The Golden Grizzlies saw out the final minutes and closed the second half with the 1-0 result.
Jean-Leger scored Oakland's goal, recorded the game-winning goal and finished with four shots, including three on goal. This marked his first game-winning goal of the season, and he has now scored in two consecutive games.
Cole Thompson played all 90 minutes in goal, made three saves and posted a shutout.
Kinan Abdulrazzak led the Golden Grizzlies with five shots and put one on goal. Kurzawa added four shots, including three on frame.
Oakland remains undefeated at home and in conference play. Up next, the Golden Grizzlies soccer team visits University of Michigan on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
