That championship feeling … Oakland wins Summit League tournament to reach NCAA field

Sweet redemption: Oakland University men's soccer coach Eric Pogue celebrates with his players for making the NCAA tournament for the fifth time since the school moved to Division I in 1999.

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

ROCHESTER HILLS — Oakland University has had a history of hosting the Summit League men’s soccer tournament. Winning it has been a different story.

The previous two years the Golden Grizzlies have watched other schools take home the championship trophy and the league’s automatic NCAA bid on OU;s home field.

This time, OU was the charm of the league.

The third-seeded Grizzlies won a pair of matches by shutout this weekend, including Sunday’s 2-0 blanking of No. 4 Oral Roberts, to earn the school’s fifth appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament.

It is also the Grizzlies’ third NCAA appearance in four years.

“It was a week of redemption for us,” said OU coach Eric Pogue, who is making his first trip to the NCAA tournament as the Grizzlies’ head coach. “We were focused, even though we didn’t have the best record. We beat IUPUI in the semifinals, and they were the only team to beat us in the regular season, and then we beat Oral Roberts in the finals.

“We were 40 seconds from beating them in the regular season and they came back and tied us at the end. Plus, we didn’t win the tournament the past couple of years when we were favored to,” added Pogue.  “Last year we were the No. 1 seed and lost our first game.”

Junior goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, who was in goal that past two years when Oakland was ousted in the league tournament, echoed the sentiments that this was a week of redemption.

Hildebrandt, who has three straight shutouts, made the all-tournament. He made an acrobatic save in the first half after Jarrett Hamilton’s shot was deflected and Hildebrandt back-pedaled enough to punch the ball over the crossbar.

“It’s a great feeling to be here. My freshman year we beat IUPUI and then lost to (UMKC in the tournament finals),” said Hildebrandt. “Last year we lost in the semifinals and didn’t make it. We’ve had some bad luck this season but we know that when we play well we can play with anyone.”

Johnny Dreshaj scored what proved to be the game-winner in the first half.  Michel’le Lipari’s long cross was tracked down by Makesi Lewis on the end line. Lewis was able to cut the ball back and his cross into the middle of the box was cashed in at close range by Dreshaj.

Jon Evans, the Tournament MVP, added an insurance tally with 15:42 to play in the second half on a pass from Vuk Popovic.

“Last year we were the No. 1 seed and it ended in huge disappointment,” said Dreshaj, an all-tournament selection. “We remembered that feeling and we played like it the past few days with the determination and the heart to win.”

“It was tough,” admitted Dreshaj. “My goal was gritty, sloppy. That’s the kind of games these are in the Summit League tournament. Whoever wants it more comes out on top.”

Oakland (7-10-3) outshot Oral Roberts 5-2, including 5-2 with shots on frame. Oral Roberts (5-8-6) did apply some pressure in the final 15 minutes. Sterling Copeland had a pair of chances, including a shot off the goalpost with just over nine minutes to play.

“We knew they would come at us,” said Pogue. “We were able to hold them off.”

Oakland will learn its first-round opponent, date and location of its first-round team Monday night when the NCAA releases its pairing son the ESPN Network.

To submit information to www.northoaklandsports.com, e-mail dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com.  To advertise, e-mail advertising@northoaklandsports.com

Tags: featured

Category: Oakland University