O'Brien, Pilgrim Power Mighty Oaks Past IU East, 5-2
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. — The Oakland City University men's soccer team struck early and never looked back Thursday, defeating Indiana University East 5-2 in River States Conference action.
The Oaks set the tone in the 12th minute when Samuel Pilgrim converted a pass from Willem Hulsebosch to open the scoring. Ross O'Brien doubled the advantage before halftime with a calm finish from the penalty spot.
Indiana East clawed one back in the second half through Braylen Michael Nies-Williams, but OCU answered with authority. Ethan John restored the two-goal cushion in the 62nd minute, assisted by Mario Sanz Roiz. O'Brien notched his second of the night with a strike in the 75th, and Pilgrim completed his brace in the 82nd, once again set up by Hulsebosch.
An own goal by IU East's Zion Griffis in the closing minutes sealed the 5-2 final.
The Oaks outshot the Red Wolves 23-7, including 15 on target. Goalkeeper Jacob Robinson made three saves to preserve the win.
The result improved OCU's conference record to 1-0 while sending IU East to 0-2.
Mighty Oaks Roll Past Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, 6-1
EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Oakland City University's offense was firing on all cylinders Saturday afternoon, producing six goals in a decisive 6-1 victory over Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.
Jahmai Akande got the Oaks rolling early, scoring in the 10th minute off a pass from Ross O'Brien. Akande struck again midway through the half, this time set up by Adam Dimba, before O'Brien extended the lead to 3-0 with a penalty kick.
The Pomeroys' Marc Valderrama briefly shifted momentum with a penalty conversion of his own before halftime, but Oakland City slammed the door in the second half. Yaw Frimpong scored twice — once in the 56th minute from a Dylan Colley assist and again in the 70th from the penalty spot. Willem Hulsebosch added the finishing touch in the 86th minute after being set up by Pilgrim.
OCU finished with 13 total shots, 10 on target, while limiting the Pomeroys to just three attempts on goal. Robinson recorded two saves in net for the Oaks.
The win marked OCU's second straight in conference play, improving their overall record to 3-7.