COLLEGE MEN’S SOCCER: Oakland trips up Cleveland State in Horizon League opener
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
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ROCHESTER HILLS — Eric Pogue believes the Horizon League is void of a dominant side this season and that from top-to-bottom there’s not much difference between the nine teams in the conference.
Oakland University was witness to that Saturday night in their home opener.
The Golden Grizzlies picked up a goal in the 81st minute and the defense made it stand, as Oakland grinded out a 1-0 victory over visiting Cleveland State in what was both school’s Horizon League opener as well.
It was the first loss of the season for Cleveland State.
Senior midfielder Spencer Nolff serves this ball during Oakland’s 1-0 Horizon League shutout Saturday of Cleveland State. Courtesy Photo | Amanda Thick, Amanda Lee Photography
“I think just about every game is going to be a grudge match. There might be a game that gets away from you. But I think across the board there’s balance,” offered Pogue, who is in his 11th season as Oakland’s head coach and 18th overall on the staff. “As we always say we get down to the final game on the final day (of league play) and there’s always a lot of importance in that game. I remember one year on the final (league) game we could have gone from second place to all the way out of the (conference tournament). I think there will be a point or two difference between every team and a lot of close games. You win one game and a couple of teams lose at the end, you can pop into first or second place. I think it could be that close this year.”
Junior midfielder Evan Sawula (Thunder Bay, Ont., St. Patrick) laced home the sole goal of the game in the defensive match on his first and only shot of the contest at the 80:27 mark.
On the counterattack, junior Charlie Braithwaite’s long ball was served to freshman Carson Debison-Larabie on the right side. Debison-Larabie tapped the ball over to junior Dylan Borczak (Detroit Western), who flicked it to an on-rushing Swaula, who tapped the ball down before ripping a shot from the left corner of the box that sailed to the right post.
Senior goalkeeper Sullivan Lauderdale directs traffic in the box during Oakland’s 1-0 shutout over Cleveland State. Courtesy Photo | Amanda Thick, Amanda Leigh Photography
“It was a nice goal,” said Pogue. “There weren’t very many chances on either side, but when Evan got the ball he quickly put it into the back of the net.
“I expect we will have a lot of games like this in our league,” added Pogue. “There will be a lot of one-goal games that can go either way.”
Oakland (3-1-1, 1-0-0) outshot Cleveland State (2-1-1, 0-1-0) by a 9-6 margin, while both teams only fired two shots on frame the whole evening. OU also held a 6-3 edge on cornerkicks.
Junior goalkeeper Sullivan Lauderdale (Pittsburg, Kan.) made two saves for his first clean sheet of the season. That came a week after he allowed two goals against Bradley in a 2-2 non-league draw.
Sophomore Luke Morrell (Plainwell), Adam Mcaleenan (Crossgar, Northern Ireland), Elliott Bentley (Oakham, England) and Frank Jones (Rochdale, England) aided the shutout with the sterling defensive effort that frustrated the Vikings the whole evening.
Oakland junior mdifiedler Dylan Borczak makes a run as freshman Adam McAleenan brings up the ball behind him during the Golden Grizzlies victory over Cleveland State. Courtesy Photo | Amanda Thick, Amanda Leigh Photography.
“I think we played really well as a team. The back four was really good today. We kept everything in front of us,” said Sullivan. “They did a really good job to keep the ball in front of me and allow me to make the saves that I needed to make. I think our four back and midfield really held together well and I think we were really glad to be back out here and really make a difference.
Oakland held the edge in the carry of play throughout long stretches of the first half. In the second period, Cleveland State began to take charge and controlled play for the middle portion of the half but could not break down OU’s stingy backfield.
“This win is a good momentum boost for us,” continued Pogue. “We’ve got a big (league) road match when we head out to Green Bay next Saturday, so this is kind of a good momentum builder. You always want to start off the league with a home win and protect your home turf.”
Oakland’s Sullivan Lauderdale celebrates after he recorded the clean sheet in a 1-0 victory Saturday over Cleveland State. All Courtesy Photos | Amanda Thick, Amanda Leigh Photography
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