For Immediate Release
Sept. 4, 2011
Contact: Scott Dunford (248) 370-3123

Oakland Men’s Soccer Battles to 1-1 Double-Overtime Draw with Butler
Jeff Cheslik netted his second goal of the season for the Golden Grizzlies.

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Jeff Cheslik scored in the 81^st minute, as the Oakland University men’s soccer team (0-2-1) battled to a 1-1 draw against Butler (1-1-1) on Sunday at the OU Soccer Field. The Golden Grizzlies have now scored in every match this season.

“I told our team that I am happy with the effort, but not the result,” said head coach Eric Pogue. “I was happy that we were able to take the lead, but we have to do better to keep it.”

Cheslik scored his second goal of the season, when he finished from a corner kick by Jon Evans. Evans swung in a bending cross that was too strong for Butler goalkeeper Andy Holte to handle and the ball fell to Cheslik who fired it home for the lead.

The Golden Grizzlies held on to the advantage until the 88^th minute, when Butler equalized on a goal by Adam Glanzer. JC Aikenhead sent in a cross, which was deflected by goalkeeper Scott Messer and fell to Glanzer who put the ball into the net.

Despite the late setback, OU nearly snatched the lead right back, when Andrew Barrett got open on a cross and headed the ball towards the upper corner of the near-post, only to be denied from a fine save by Holte. Oakland’s Josh Bennett also came close to scoring in the 90^th minute, but his shot was cleared off the line by a Butler defender.

Butler outshot Oakland 2-0 in the first overtime period, but could not beat Messer. Glanzer had the best chance, when he came open inside the penalty-area, but was denied by a sprawling Messer to preserve the tie. In the second overtime, Oakland had the advantage and nearly scored on a shot by Barrett that was headed past Holte, but deflected into the goalkeeper’s body.

Oakland was the aggressor for most of the game and had the first eight shots of the game. OU finished with a 23-14 advantage in shots and a 10-8 edge in shots on goal. Twice in the first half shots by Bennett and Lucas Diener beat Holte, only to be cleared off the line by Butler defenders.

Mitch Hildebrandt started the game for Oakland and made three saves, while Messer came up with four stops after entering in the second half. Holte finished the day with six saves, but was aided by three defensive clearances off the line.

The Golden Grizzlies return to action on Friday at 6 p.m. (ET) with a match against No. 17-ranked Southern Methodist University at the Hurricane Classic, hosted by Tulsa. Oakland will also face the host, Tulsa Golden Hurricanes on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. (EST) to conclude the tournament.

-OAKLAND-

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