For Immediate Release
September 2, 2011
Contact: Scott Dunford (248) 370-3123

Oakland Men’s Soccer Falls 2-1 to Northern Illinois in Home Opener
The Golden Grizzlies were playing their home opener under the lights at the OU Soccer Field.

ROCHESTER, Mich. –Josh Bennett scored his first goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough for the Oakland men’s soccer team (0-2-0) in a 2-1 loss to Northern Illinois (2-0-0) on Friday at the OU Soccer Field. It was the first regular-season men’s soccer match played under the lights at the newly renovated Oakland home field.

"We really appreciate all the support tonight," said head coach Eric Pogue. "It was a great environment to play in tonight. We were able to create a few opportunities and we have to put a few more in the back of the net so that we don’t get into a situation where we’re fighting at the end of the game to get a win.”

After trailing 1-0, Oakland tied the match on Bennett's in the 16^th minute. The senior forward was the beneficiary of good combination play from his teammates Andrew Barrett and Jake Przybycien. Barret began the play with a cross into the penalty area, which Przybycien headed back across goal, where it was headed into the goal by the on-rushing Bennett.

The Huskies’ game-winner came from a set piece after Oakland was whistled for an intentional back-pass to the goalkeeper in the 85^th minute. From the resulting indirect free kick, Karim Darbaki hit a shot that deflected off a defender and fell to Pat Sloan who directed the ball in from point-blank range.

The visiting Huskies opened the scoring in the ninth minute on a goal from Paul Hogan. Hogan volleyed the ball into the net after Gael Rivera played him in on goal with a scooped pass over the top of the Oakland defense.

The Golden Grizzlies generated the best chances in the first half, outshooting Northern Illinois 9-6 and earning a 4-3 edge in shots on goal. The Golden Grizzlies nearly took a 2-1 lead in the 18^th minute when Przybycien shot from 16 yards out, forcing a good save from NIU goalkeeper Jordan Godsey. Oakland also threatened the goal, when Johnny Dreshaj hit a shot over the bar later in the half.

Northern Illinois was most dangerous from set pieces. The Huskies' first shot came from an indirect free kick just outside the penalty-area, which forced a good save out of a diving Mitch Hildebrandt in the Oakland goal. Hildebrandt finished the night with three saves, as did Godsey in the NIU net. Northern Illinois outshot OU 13-11 and earned a 5-4 edge in shots on goal.  

The Golden Grizzlies return to action on Sunday with a match against Butler at 1 p.m. at the OU Soccer Field.

-OAKLAND-