Oakland stumbles in 2-0 home loss to UMKC
ROCHESTER HILLS — Upsets happen in all levels of sports. One took place at Oakland University’s soccer field Sunday afternoon.
Kara Weber had three shots, including one that was cleared off the line, but the Oakland women’s soccer team failed to score in a 2-0 Summit League loss to UMKC on Sunday at the OU Soccer Field. The loss snapped a streak of 12 games unbeaten against Summit League opponents for the Golden Grizzlies.
“UMKC worked extremely hard,” said head coach Nick O’Shea. “They never quit on balls. We did not play with intensity in the first half and did not show up with the mindset to go out and take this game. In the second half we raised our intensity level and dominated.”
After falling behind 1-0, Oakland (4-9-0, 2-1-0) created a number of chances to tie the game. In the first half, Abigail Haelewyn was tripped inside the 18-yard area to give OU a penalty kick. However, Sarah Lynch was denied by a diving save from UMKC goalkeeper Jami Finnell.
Oakland outshot UMKC 6-2 in the second half in an attempt to overturn the deficit. Weber came closest to scoring for OU, when she headed the ball towards goal from a corner kick, only to have her effort headed off the goal line by a UMKC defender. The Golden Grizzlies outshot the Kangaroos 11-10 for the game.
Taylor Bare opened the scoring for UMKC (6-5-3, 4-0-0) in the 10th minute. After a long free kick was played into the area, the ball eventually bounced to Bare who finished the ball into the roof of the net. The ‘Roos took a 2-0 lead in the 50th minute, when an Oakland player over hit a back pass to goalkeeper.
Anne Berschbach made two saves in goal for Oakland, before Melissa MacKinnon came on as a second-half substitute. It was a collegiate debut for MacKinnon, who made a good save on a headed shot and also came off her line well twice to snuff out scoring plays. In the net for UMKC Finnell finished with five saves.
The Golden Grizzlies return to action on Friday with a Summit League match at South Dakota State that kicks off at 7 p.m. OU will also play at North Dakota State on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Category: Colleges / Other, Oakland University
