Kellerman’s goal lifts Oakland past IPFW
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — A brutally tough non-league schedule proved to pay dividends for Oakland University women’s soccer team Saturday night.
The Golden Grizzlies, only 2-8-0 heading into their Summit League opener, were able to pick up a first-half goal and the defense made it stand in a 1-0 victory over visiting IPFW at the OU Soccer Stadium.
Oakland, which finished 8-0-1 in league play last season, has never lost to the Mastadons.
Kyla Kellerman scored her team-leading fifth goal of the season — the freshman has scored nearly half of Oakland’s goals this season — with 15:05 left in the first half for the game’s only goal.
SLIPPING PAST: Oakland University's Kyla Kellermann maneuvers past IPFW's Caroline Castelli during Saturday's Summit League opener. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
Still, Oakland (3-8-0, 1-0-0) has only scored 11 goals this season this 11 games. The Grizzlies hope to change that as they head into the meat of their conference schedule.
“I think it all goes down to confidence,” offered Oakland coach Nick O’Shea. “Last year we had some games early on where we scored a lot of goals and they just got on a goal. This year we had those tough games where we weren’t scoring a lot and things are different. We had 3-4 chances where we needed the confidence (to score). We’re not going to make a lot of changes. We’re getting chances. We’re just going to work on finishing in training.”
Oakland controlled play throughout most of the first half and finally broke through in the 29th minute. Julianne Boyle’s serve to just outside of the box went to Nicole Deluca, who tapped the ball over to Kellerman. The freshman form sniper cashed in her chance from close range.
“I got the ball from Nicole Deluca, we did a perfect give-and-0g and she sent the ball through. I just had to take a touch with my right foot and I finished it off to the far right corner with my left,” said Kellerman. “I feel like I’m more confident with playing time. Coming in as a freshman, it’s hard to get used to playing with new players. But I’m getting more comfortable with them and feeling good about it.”
Oakland had chances to pad the lead in the second half, but misfired on a pair of breakaways. Kellerman and Meghan Reynolds both raced in alone of IPFW netminder Krysta Hedrick but their shots sailed wide.
Oakland outshot IPFW (3-6-0, 0-1) by a 16-7 margin, including 8-1 with shots on frame, and even held a 5-4 edge on cornerkicks, but almost found itself in a deadlock. IPFW’s Tara O’Toole shanked a shot off the outside of the right goalpost just before the half.
Oakland’s Anne Berschbach stood strong between the pipes, making one save in the win, her second of the season. The Grizzlies’ defense did not allow very many scoring opportunities.
“Our defense did a nice job, limiting their chances,” said O’Shea. “I would like to have finished more of our (chances), but we’ll work on that.”
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Category: Campus Clips, Colleges / Other, Oakland University
