Raphael Reynolds helped the Golden Grizzlies rally Friday night, but ultimately they fell to No. 25 Denver, 3-2. Photo/ Oakland Golden Grizzlies (Jose Suarez)
[dropcap]D[/dropcap]espite a late-match rally by the Golden Grizzlies, Oakland failed to overcome No. 25 Denver Friday night, losing 3-2.
Raphael Reynolds and Austin Ricci led the Grizzlies, each scoring in the second half to cut into the Denver lead. Oakland was narrowly outshot, 16-15, in the match.
“I thought for long stretches of the game we played very well and dictated play against a very good, nationally ranked Denver team on the road in a tough environment,” Head Coach Eric Pogue told ougrizzlies.com following the match. “Moving forward, we need to show a greater urgency and commitment to goal scoring in the final third of the field the way that Denver did against us tonight with their chances.”
Oakland entered the second half trailing 2-0. The team would get on the board in the 65th minute when Reynolds collected a bouncing ball inside the box and managed to get a scoring shot off from 10 yards away.
The Grizzlies remained down by one until the 81st minute when the Pioneers would again take a two-goal advantage. Ryan Dodson took a free kick from 25 yards out to beat goalkeeper Wes Mink.
Gerald Ben sent a through ball down the left side in the 88th minute to Ricci who finished the sequence in the bottom right corner from 16 yards away for the final score of 3-2.
“Our record may show us as 0-3, but our staff and our players all know and believe we are a far better team than our record indicates,” added Pogue. “An undefeated Air Force Academy on Sunday afternoon will prove to be another stiff test for our men and will provide a great opportunity for us to prove that.”
Denver scored the opening goal in the 4th minute. After being awarded a penalty kick after an Oakland foul, Teddy Mullin was able to convert. Denver would go up 2-0 in the 59th minute as Kosta Kordistos received a cross and scored to the left side of the net from the 18-yard line.
The loss would be Mink’s first of the season in his first official start for the Grizzlies with two saves.
