ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University scored two early goals, then held off the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team for a 2-1 victory Friday afternoon (Aug. 17). The scrimmage was held at the OU Soccer Field.
The Golden Grizzlies scored twice within the first 11 minutes of the match for the victory. Sophomore Danny Baraldi cut the Falcons' deficit in half in the late stages of the contest, but the Falcons could not score the equalizer.
Per an agreement between the coaches, the teams played three 30-minute periods in Friday's scrimmage. The Golden Grizzlies got all the goals they needed in the first period. The hosts got on the board with just 3:52 elapsed, as Miche'le Lipari got his boot on a Kyle Bethel centering pass and knocked it past junior Michael Wiest.
Seven minutes later, the Falcons were called for a foul in the box, and OU's Johnny Dreshaj converted the resulting penalty kick for a two-goal lead with only 10:16 gone. The Grizzles would not score again, but the damage had been done.
After being outshot by a 9-3 count in the opening 30 minutes, the Falcons had six shots to the hosts' three in the second period, but could not get on the scoreboard. The final period saw Baraldi get the Brown and Orange on the board in the 73rd minute. The sophomore, BGSU's leading scorer a year ago, intercepted an attempted header back to OU goalkeeper Scott Messer and fired a quick shot that found the net.
Messer would not allow another goal, however, and the Grizzlies had the win. Oakland starting 'keeper Wes Smith played the first 60 minutes and made two saves, while Messer had one stop in his 30 minutes of work.
For the Falcons, Wiest played the first two periods, while freshman Nick Landsberger was in net for the final 30 minutes. Both BGSU goalkeepers made one save apiece.
The regular season begins next Saturday, Aug. 25, when the Falcons host Saint Bonaventure University at Cochrane Field on Alumni Night. That match starts at 7:00 p.m.
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