Ypsilanti, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies took to the road for a dramatic season opener against the Eastern Michigan Eagles.
The teams started the game firing away, exchanging shots as Oakland’s Frankie Mudd fired a beam at the goal in the seventh minute of the game, missing just over the top but setting the tone for the Golden Grizzlies. The Eagles registered three shots in the first 20 minutes of the match, with two missing the net and sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Perry saving the third as she earned her first career start in goal for Oakland.
As the half went on the teams remained neck-and-neck in a defensive battle. Oakland saw one more good look on goal as the opening half of the season drew to a close, as a corner kick flew into the box to defender Mia Tuka. As a strong strike was sent at the net, the ball sailed just wide as time expired, closing the half still tied at zero apiece.
The Eagles seemed to be the aggressors in the first 45 minutes, outpacing Oakland in corner kicks four to one and shots four to three. Shannon Brown accounted for Oakland’s other shot, joining Mudd and Tuka, with a shot from inside the box that sailed top right in the 32nd minute.
The Oakland defense stood tall throughout the half, making quality tackles and clearances while committing just one foul in the half, while Eastern Michigan stacked eight fouls over the half.
The teams opened up the second half with a higher sense of urgency, letting shots fly immediately. Oakland’s Brown registered her second shot of the game in the 54th minute, missing high but applying some much needed pressure to the Eagles defense.
Eastern Michigan would respond with their own pressure, testing Golden Grizzlies goalie Julia Zangerl, who was given the second half nod in goal. In the 55th minute the Eagles’ Olivia Sipsock snuck past the defense and sent a ball at Zangerl, but the returning All-Freshman Team goalie extended for the big save. Less than two minutes later another chance arose for the Eagles, this time for Maddie O’Farrell, but just as before, Zangerl made a string of impressive saves to keep the game knotted up.
With time dwindling down in the 84th minute, the Eagles broke the scoreless seal on the game, as Mary Grimes and Olivia Sipsock combined on a string of passes, threading the ball through the Oakland defense where Cameryn Susey took laid in wait, striking the ball past Zangerl for the goal, putting Eastern Michigan up 1-0 with just over six minutes left to play.
Desperate for an equalizer, Oakland pushed forward in the final minutes. Freshman Gabriella Ruffino made an incredible run through the Eastern Michigan back line, firing a rolling shot at the center of the net, but Ella Holland made her first and only save of the game at a crucial point for the Eagles, stopping Ruffino’s shot and ultimately keeping the lead safe as Oakland fell in the season opener 1-0.
Despite the Eagles finishing on top in shots (10 to five) and shots on goal (five to one), the Golden Grizzlies turned the pressure up in the second half, creating many more opportunities and flowing together better as an offense.
Julia Zangerl returned to impressive form in her second half stint, and despite giving up a goal she earned three saves on six shots faced. Ruffino registered the team’s only shot on goal, while Brown added two shots of her own to lead the team.
Eastern Michigan’s Sipsock, the team’s leading returning goal scorer, caused mayhem on the Oakland side of the field, registering three shots, two on goal, and the game-winning assist.
The Golden Grizzlies return to action on Sunday, Aug. 18th as they host the University of North Dakota in their home opener at 1 p.m.