For Immediate Release
August 27, 2011
Contact: Scott Dunford (248) 370-3123

Oakland Men’s Soccer Falls 3-1 to DePaul in Season Opener
Jeff Cheslik netted the first goal of the season for the Golden Grizzlies.

CHICAGO - Jeff Cheslik scored the opening goal of the season, but it wasn't enough as the Oakland University men's soccer team (0-1-0) suffered a season-opening loss, 3-1, at DePaul (1-0-0) on Saturday at Wish Field. Antonio Aguilar had two goals and an assist for the Blue Demons.

"It's a disappointing way to start the season," said head coach Eric Pogue. "We started flat in the first half, before actually raising our level in the second half. We controlled portions of the match in the second half, but the quality wasn't there in the final third and we were punished for a pair of mistakes, which put the match out of reach."

After falling behind 1-0, Oakland equalized the match just two minutes before the halftime whistle. Jon Evans served in a free kick and Cheslik rose to meet the ball and headed it into the goal in the 44th minute.

The Blue Demons scored twice in the span of six minutes in the second half to take the lead for good. Thiago Ganancio scored the game-winning goal in the 64th minute on a header from a cross by Aguilar.

Aguilar added the second of his two goals in the 70th minute with a long-range effort that made it 3-1. DePaul took the lead in the 25th minute, when Aguilar scored from 35 yards out.

DePaul outshot Oakland 8-1 in the first half. However, the teams finished the half even with just one shot on goal each. For the match, DePaul held a 13-8 edge in shots and a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.

The Golden Grizzlies stepped up the offensive intensity in the second half, with two shots in the first 10 minutes. Lucas Diener came close with his header that went just over the crossbar, before Josh Bennett followed up with a shot that forced a save from DePaul goalkeeper Eric Sorby.

Oakland team captain Mitch Hildebrandt was called into action in the 51st minute, saving a shot from Aguilar. Hildebrandt and Sorby both finished the match with two saves each.

"It's the first game of the season," concluded Pogue. "We will learn from our mistakes and get back to work in training this week to get ready for a pair of tough matches next week against Northern Illinois and Butler."

After starting the season on the road, Oakland will return to campus to host Northern Illinois in the home opener. The Golden Grizzlies host the Huskies on Friday at 7 p.m., marking the first regular-season match played under the lights at the newly-renovated OU Soccer Field.

-OAKLAND-