Nobody wants to start 0-4. You work hard all offseason and practice your tail off for the first game, only to come up short. It’s disappointing, especially in the first year of your new head coach, Paul Doroh.
Narrow losses to the University of Omaha, Michigan, Butler and the University of Illinois Chicago filled the four losses in the record. With rival Michigan State University (MSU) visiting Oakland, the boys were poised to right the ship and get the season back on track.
Back on track, it is. The Golden Grizzlies dominated the Spartans to the tune of three goals to none, pouncing on the MSU defense in the first half before controlling the game defensively the rest of the way.
“The team was able to stay positive and keep a strong mindset,” freshman Andrew Darakdjian said. “As in this game and many previous games, we had many great moments within the matches, but not all of them swung our way. We took those games as great learning lessons and look to the next game to improve.”
Michigan State had numerous opportunities to score, but fifth-year goalkeeper and captain Alex Flowers was up for the challenge. He finished the game with nine total saves, including one just before the 39-minute mark, when he leaped and deflected a shot with his hand. He was tested frequently throughout the game, as the Spartans took 21 total shots and 12 corner kicks.
Oakland’s first goal came in the 24th minute when junior forward Jack Klomparens fired a shot off his left foot, sneaking past Spartan goalie Zac Kelly. A brilliant pass from junior defender Jace Foster set up the shot.
Only nine minutes later, the Golden Grizzlies would strike again, this time from senior forward Lejs Pličanić. The newcomer from Croatia finished a pass from Darakdjian in the box, sliding in to knock in Oakland’s second goal. Foster would get credit for the assist as well.
Just a few minutes before halftime, Pličanić found himself with the ball and an easy one-on-one opportunity. He took advantage, scoring OU’s third goal in the first half and giving the Golden Grizzlies a huge boost going into the break. Darakdjian again assisted him.
In the second half, Oakland opted to defend the goal and withstood a barrage of MSU shots. The Spartans took ten shots to Oakland’s one in the second half, but Flowers remained implacable. He recorded five saves and absolutely refused to let anything get by him.
“I think it’s just the team’s mentality. We spoke about being locked in from the start to the final whistle,” Foster said.
The focus showed. The Golden Grizzlies would emerge with a strong 3-0 victory, earning their first win of the season and evening the all-time record against the Spartans at 11-11-1.
“We were waiting for this all through the preseason and non-conference games, and finally, at the most important time, it came. MSU had a couple of great chances, but our goalkeeper Alex Flowers was on another level,” Pličanić said.
Pličanić was all praise for his new head coach. “He is doing a great job; he is always supportive of us and well-composed in all things outside and inside the field,” Pličanić said.
Pličanić also gave his thanks to assistants Joey Tinnion and Dáire O’Riordan, as well as athletic trainer Sawyer Williamson.
“It felt especially rewarding to get him his first win as a head coach, particularly against a Power 5 team,” Flowers said.
Doroh, a longtime assistant at Oakland, hopes to elevate the program to new heights and return to the NCAA tournament.
Who knows what the rest of the season will hold, but these players are incredibly enthusiastic and ready to chase after more success. The Golden Grizzlies will kick off next against Northern Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 21, on the road.