COLLEGE MEN’S SOCCER: Morrell’s goal helps Oakland defeat Michigan State for first time since 2014
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
ROCHESTER HILLS — A year ago, Luke Morrell earned Horizon League All-Freshman Team honors after a solid debut collegiate campaign.
The sophomore from Plainwell, Mich., added to his resume on Tuesday night.
Morrell scored in the 46th minute and Oakland University’s defense made it stand in a 1-0 non-league victory over Michigan State. It marked Oakland’s first victory over the Spartans since 2014.
Morrell, who was only a Division 2 All-State Honorable Mention selection two years ago as a senior center back at Plainwell, netted his third goal of the season only 44 seconds into the second half.
Evan Sawula and Elliott Bentley drew assists on the play for Oakland (7-6-2), which snapped a two-game losing streak and defeated a Michigan State program that reached the NCAA Division I College Cup National Semifinals last season.
Bentley took the ball down the left side and fed it up to Sawula just inside the penalty box. Sawula then turned and floated a left-footed cross over to an onrushing Morrell, who went unmarked behind the Michigan State (3-8-3) back line and put the volley away to give the Golden Grizzlies a 1-0 lead.
Senior goalkeeper Liam McQueenie picked up the shutout making two saves in his second start in goal this season. It was Oakland Senior Day and the fifth largest crowd at OU with 1,672 paid spectators in attendance at the Oakland Soccer Complex.
Prior to the match, Oakland honored the team’s seven seniors — Bentley, Corentin Diverres, Adam Giorgio, McQueenie, Spencer Nolff, Sawula and AJ Shaw.
Oakland hosts Marshall on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
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