<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=39nWW9_0vjN15x600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=39nWW9_0vjN15x600" width="1200" height="962" ><figcaption>Photo courtesy of Oakland University Athletics</figcaption></figure>An 0-4 start is long past in the rearview mirror for these Oakland Golden Grizzlies. After a dominant 3-0 victory over the Michigan State Spartans, the Oakland University men’s soccer team has ripped off two more wins and a tie, bringing them to a record of 3-4-1 on the season.Their most recent win as of Sept. 18 was a non-conference win over Loyola University of Chicago (LUC). Loyola entered the evening with a record of 1-3-1. Coming from the west bank of Lake Michigan, a brisk 5-hour drive, the Ramblers sought to turn their ugly start around.LUC went on the attack early, drawing an offside call within the first two minutes. Ben Bischof of Loyola took a shot on OU’s redshirt sophomore goalie, Aiden Smith, but Smith skillfully deflected the attempt away.There was some physicalness early as both teams fought for every advantage. Oakland earned two fouls and a yellow card within the first 20 minutes of game time; the Ramblers also had two fouls of their own early on.As the game went on, the time of possession was roughly even. LUC took four shots to the Golden Grizzlies’ three in the first half, but the Ramblers had a big advantage in their four corner kicks to Oakland’s one.It was halftime with neither team earning a goal, but things were about to get interesting. Right out of the break, Oakland went on the offensive, taking two shots on goal along with a corner kick, but still, LUC remained solid.It was OU’s turn to be tested. Loyola attempted three corner kicks and two shots on goal in the span of seven minutes. However, the defense of Smith and the Golden Grizzlies was up for the task; nothing got by them.Finally, senior forward Lejs Pličanić was able to break the tie with his third goal of the season, assisted by junior forward Kevin Hubbell. Both players started the game on the bench but were nonetheless ready to contribute when called upon.A tight game such as this always brings an increase in physicality and aggression. Fouls and yellow cards were being handed out left and right. Loyola committed eight fouls in the second to Oakland’s five. The referees gave the Golden Grizzlies three yellow cards in the second half and one to the Ramblers. In a two-minute stretch, junior midfielder Jack Klomparens earned two fouls and a yellow card.Shortly after, LUC evened the game with a goal from Angel Mendez at 74:19. With only 17 minutes left, the score stood at 1-1.Fortunately for Oakland, freshman Andrew Darakdjian earned himself a penalty kick, which he squeaked past Rambler Aiden Crawford. The Golden Grizzlies were able to close out the game and earn another hard-fought win with a final score of 2-1.Up next at home for the Golden Grizzlies is a battle with IU Indy on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Oakland Soccer Field at 2 p.m.</div></body>

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Hat Trick: OU men’s soccer earns third consecutive win

An 0-4 start is long past in the rearview mirror for these Oakland Golden Grizzlies. After a dominant 3-0 victory over the Michigan State Spartans, the Oakland University men’s soccer team has ripped off two more wins and a tie, bringing them to a record of 3-4-1 on the season.