ROCHESTER, Mich. - In a battle of the Summit League's two remaining undefeated men's soccer teams, host Oakland proved to have a significant upperhand as the Golden Grizzlies breezed past IUPUI 4-0 on Saturday afternoon. OU scored twice in the game's first 10 minutes and outshot the Jaguars 18-2 on a rain soaked, chilly day in southern Michigan.
"They got two early goals and changed the complexion of the game," IUPUI head coach Steve Franklin said. "It was the most thorough butt kicking we've taken this year.
"My hat's off to Oakland. It was definitely as lopsided as it showed. They were the hungrier team today."
Stefan St. Louis, making his season debut, scored on a header in the fourth minute while Martin Sandell made it 2-0 with a 20-yard boot 9:56 into the contest.
"We were like a deer in headlights after the two goals. We never really got off the mat."
The score remained 2-0 until Michael Reyes tallied in the 61st minute, thanks to an assist from Sebastian Harris. Piotr Nowak capped the day's scoring against senior goalkeeper Peter Brasovan in the 79th minute.
Junior David Barszczowski allowed the first three scores, dropping his individual record to 4-3-1 on the season.
IUPUI (5-9-1, 3-1-0 Summit), playing without four starters on Saturday, got its lone shot on goal with just 63 seconds left in the first half when Chris Wey put a strike on frame against OU keeper Steve Clark. Senior Vangel Nacovski was the only other IUPUI player to be credited with an attempt.
Clark got the win in just over 80 minutes before Bret Mollon came on in mop up duty.
Sandell led Oakland (9-5-2, 5-0-0 Summit) with four shots while Gabe Hernandez finished with two assists on the day.
IUPUI will now head home to host Oral Roberts next Saturday in a crucial Summit League matchup at the on-campus Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. while selected Jaguars will team up with Indiana Youth Soccer to host a pregame clinic open to kids of all ages and ability levels. The clinic is scheduled to begin at noon, weather permitting.
