[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Golden Grizzlies fought hard but ultimately fell in overtime to Incarnate Word last weekend during Oakland’s fall homecoming, 2-1.
Gerald Ben scored the first goal of the match in favor of Oakland. Gavin Hoy helped Oakland in their fight with four recorded shots while the Grizzlies held the shooting advantage over Incarnate Word at 18-14, including 8-4 shots on goal.
“First off, we really appreciate the opportunity to have a fall homecoming,” head coach Eric Pogue said in the release following the match. “With all of the great things going around campus, it was great to be the showcase.”
The Grizzlies scored in the 37th minute as a Cardinals foul in the box gave Ben the penalty kick that was converted for his first goal of the season. Ben nearly scored again in the opening minutes of the second half but sent the ball over the Cardinal keeper.
“We would have loved to come away with a victory tonight,” Pogue said. “I thought we fought hard but it did not go the way we wanted it to.”
Incarnate Word scored the equalizing goal in the 51st minute with the shot deflected over Wes Mink’s head from about a yard away by Dylan Kelly. Entering into overtime tied at 1-1, Noah Keats for UIW collected the ball at the top of the penalty box and took a shot into the upper right corner in the eighth minute for the win.
Oakland nearly had a chance to put the game away in the 81st minute when Matt Rickard fired a shot that was deflected by Kieran O’Boyle in goal. Raphael Reynolds took the rebound but O’Boyle made a second save to push the match to overtime.
The Golden Grizzlies will open up Horizon League play Friday as they host defending regular-season champions Chicago at 7 p.m.
*Photos by Lex Lee
