Oakland Women's Soccer 2024 Season Preview - Oakland University Athletics (2024)

ROCHESTER, Mich. - With Fall not too far on the Horizon, Oakland Women's Soccer looks to put together a redemption tour in 2024.

After a 2023 season where they fell outside of the Horizon League Tournament on the final day of the season, the Golden Grizzlies are hungry to avenge a heartbreaking end to last season, and have made strides over the offseason to take a big step in the right direction.

Although the team fell short of the league tournament, the team left off on a positive note, playing impressive soccer down the stretch of the season. The Golden Grizzlies only allowed an opponent to score more than a single goal in one of their final 11 games. The team also ended with more ties (7) than they did losses (6). In three of those ties Oakland accumulated more shots and shots on goal than their opponents, while in four of them they amassed more saves than the other team. With just a few more good scoring opportunities, the team's fate may change drastically and vault them up the standings this upcoming season.

Oakland brandishes a brand new staff, beginning with Head Coach Devin Zvosec, who hopes to bring years of high-level success at the Division I level over his career to Oakland. With the help of newly hired assistant coaches Conner Williams, a former Michigan staffer, Trevor Foster, and former professional player Jessica Newton, the Golden Grizzlies are in for a burst of energy from a youthful, yet experienced and battle tested staff.

On the pitch, Oakland returns multiple key pieces from last year's team. Sophom*ore Julia Zangerl looks to take the reins in goal full-time after impressing and earning All-Freshman recognition after becoming the head goalkeeper halfway through last season. Senior Putri Sazali has shined early for the Golden Grizzlies as well. After transferring in just before the 2023 season, the Singapore native and 2023 All-League Second Team member is looking comfortable and ready to step into a leadership role early in camp as she joins Zangerl in heading a deep back line for Oakland that is projected to be a defensive juggernaut.

On the offensive end, big seasons are projected for juniors Shannon Brown and Frankie Mudd. The two combined for 57 shots last season, by far the top two on the team in 2023. As two of the top aggressors for Oakland, the duo are set to take a big leap and take the team to the next level and return the game to scoring 25-plus goals.

Mudd showed flashes of her powerful striking ability in 2023 with a few big goals, and coming off the heels of being named to the All-League Second Team she is poised to be a prominent forward in the league. Brown is looking to jump into a big role as well. Always a threat to make magic with the ball in her possession, she is set to become the all-around midfielder that Oakland needs.

Oakland has also brought in a multitude of talent, through the transfer portal and the freshman class. Newcomers include a group of five freshmen in Isabella Bierod, Brooke Blackstock, Gabriella Ruffino, Kimee Liu, and Lyndsay Borcherdt. Also new to the team are transfers Mia Tuka, via James Madison University, Marina Downing, via Eastern Washington, and familiar face Grace Koski who comes via another Horizon League team in Cleveland State.

Of Oakland's 27 woman roster, 19 student-athletes are underclassmen. This year is shaped to be one of development and potential breakout seasons all over the roster for the Golden Grizzlies. They kick off the highly anticipated season with their first non-exhibition game on Thursday, August 15 on the road against Eastern Michigan.