DETROIT — Oakland and Detroit Mercy canceled each other out Wednesday night, finishing 2-2 in a match that saw both teams squander scoring opportunities and settle for a point apiece. The Golden Grizzlies, playing on the road, matched the Titans' intensity throughout 90 minutes of competitive Division I soccer, with neither side able to break through decisively when it mattered most.
Isabella Bierod gave Oakland an early advantage in the 20th minute, assisted by Alli Leonard, but Detroit Mercy equalized just before halftime when Soraya Puerto-Khalil found the back of the net in the 37th minute off a feed from Kiely Robinson. The first half remained tightly contested, with neither goalkeeper severely tested despite both teams generating chances. Oakland's defense held firm against Detroit Mercy's pressure, while the visitors created their own opportunities through Mallory Anderson and others.
The second half opened with Oakland looking to build on its lead, but Detroit Mercy came out with renewed purpose. Anuhea Aluli restored Oakland's advantage in the 47th minute, assisted by Brae Cole, giving the Golden Grizzlies what appeared to be a winning position. Yet the Titans refused to fold. Leila Lanier equalized for Detroit Mercy in the 84th minute, with Abbey Lodato providing the assist, forcing the match to its draw conclusion.
Oakland dominated possession stretches and created several dangerous moments, particularly through the runs of Aluli and Leonard. The Golden Grizzlies' attacking movement kept Detroit Mercy's backline honest throughout, though they managed just two shots on goal despite 10 total attempts. Defensively, Oakland's goalkeeper made three crucial saves to keep the match competitive, including several stops in the second half when Detroit Mercy pressed forward.
Detroit Mercy controlled the tempo for significant portions, particularly in the opening 20 minutes and again after halftime. The Titans generated 14 shot attempts and earned 10 corner kicks, reflecting their territorial advantage. Puerto-Khalil and Soraya Puerto-Khalil led the attacking charge, while Emma Henry drew a yellow card for unsporting conduct in the 28th minute. Despite the aggressive approach, Detroit Mercy couldn't find the finishing touch when opportunities presented themselves.
The match featured the kind of back-and-forth momentum swings common in evenly matched conference play. Neither team's defense looked vulnerable, but both offenses lacked the clinical precision needed to separate themselves. Oakland's substitutions, including changes to its attacking lineup, kept fresh legs on the field, while Detroit Mercy made multiple adjustments in search of a breakthrough.
For Oakland (3-7-8), the draw extends an unbeaten streak to two matches after a 2-2 tie with IU Indy last Saturday. The Golden Grizzlies have shown resilience in recent outings, bouncing back from a difficult stretch earlier in the season. Detroit Mercy (2-13-3) picked up its first point in three games, snapping a two-match losing streak that included defeats to Northern Kentucky and Purdue Fort Wayne.
Oakland returns to action this weekend with another road test, while Detroit Mercy will look to build on this result at home. Both teams showed they can compete at this level when focused, though each will need to improve their finishing to climb the standings. The draw leaves both sides searching for that decisive victory that could spark a turnaround.