Next Game:
Northern Illinois University
9/12/2026 | 2 PM
Sep. 12 (Sat) / 2 PM
Northern Illinois University
ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies defeated Cleveland St. 2-0 on Wednesday at Oakland Soccer Field, securing their first conference win in statement fashion.
Oakland scored both goals in the second half and stood solid defensively to complete the shutout, continuing their offensive rhythm with at least two goals scored in three consecutive games.
Oakland preserved a scoreless first half through a late CSU push, with Cole Thompson saving shots from Domenic Ruggiero in the 33rd minute and Tom Mertz in the 39th. Earlier, after the Vikings earned two early corner kicks, Grant Mateer put Oakland’s first shot on frame in the 18th minute and the home side followed with a corner. Miller Knestrict generated back-to-back attempts in the 21st minute, and Noah Roka added another look in the 27th as Oakland continued to create chances before the break. Christopher Jean Leger had Oakland’s final shot in the 43rd minute, and the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Oakland broke through early in the second half, earning corner kicks in the 46th and 49th minutes before Stephen Gilbert scored at 49 minutes off Gabe Gjokaj’s assist for a 1-0 lead. CSU answered with two corners and two off-target shots by 52:50, but the Golden Grizzlies kept the lead and later got a shot from Kinan Abdulrazzak in the 57th minute.
Abdulrazzak added Oakland’s second goal at 81:27, and the home side played through a card-heavy closing stretch to finish off a 2-0 win.
Gilbert scored the game-winning goal, putting his lone shot on frame. Kinan Abdulrazzak added a goal and led Oakland with three shots. Gabe Gjokaj recorded an assist for his point and first assist of the season. Cole Thompson made three saves over 90 minutes and finished with a shutout.
Up next, the Golden Grizzlies soccer team hosts Northern Illinois University on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m. at Oakland Soccer Field in Rochester, Michigan.