Junior forward Gerald Ben maneuvers past Saginaw Valley defenders during Wednesday’s exhibition victory. Photos/Stephanie Sokol
[dropcap]J[/dropcap]unior Matt Dudley’s brace lifted Oakland University men’s soccer over Saginaw Valley State University, 3-0, in an exhibition hosted by the winners on Wednesday evening.
The Preston, England native got his first in the 69th minute, receiving an aerial cross from Raphael Reynolds and softly heading it from close range past Cardinals goalkeeper Alexandre Bouillenne, who was helpless to stop the unmarked man.
It took just six more minutes to make it a pair, and though marking again was absent from Dudley, it was a tally of far greater skill. Jacob VanderLaan’s corner took a bounce within the 18-yard-box, and Dudley’s first touch was brilliant, directing the ball over the head of a diving Bouilenne and in net to make it 2-0 for the Golden Grizzlies.
Freshman midfielder Dean Akeel is heavily defended by Saginaw Valley defenders.
Oakland would get a second moment of brilliance with its final goal in the 89th minute. Senior forward Joey Tinnion dribbled right across the edge of the box and placed a pass to Austin Ricci, who took several more steps in the same direction and uncorked a shot from roughly 20 yards out that deflected in from the right goalpost.
Elliot Tarney earned the shutout in net for the Golden Grizzlies, collecting six saves. Joshua Howell also earned time in net for SVSU, and allowed no goals while saving five shots for the Cardinals.
HIGHLIGHTS (Courtesy of OU Grizzlies on YouTube):
Oakland outshot SVSU in the second half 16 to 2, and the home side also earned itself six corner kicks in the second half.
Some of the younger players for each side got time during an additional 30-minute period after the official exhibition. SVSU’s Matthew Lang had the lone goal during that time, a strike to the far post from just outside 10 yards.
Oakland wraps up its exhibition slate on Saturday night at Western Michigan, then kicks off the regular season on Aug. 29 against Big Ten opponent Penn State.
This story was reported and photographed in part with our partners at Press Row Sports and Entertainment.
