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ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Oakland women’s soccer team continues its non-conference slate Thursday, traveling to Valparaiso for an 8 p.m. ET matchup against the Beacons at Brown Field.
Oakland has been one of the Horizon League’s most active teams offensively through the opening weeks of the season, ranking fourth in the league with 73 total shots and fourth with 5.80 shots on goal per game. The Golden Grizzlies have consistently generated scoring opportunities and will look to turn that offensive pressure into goals against the Beacons.
The Golden Grizzlies have also been stout defensively, allowing just five goals this season, the second-fewest among Horizon League teams. Norah Schmidt has anchored the Oakland defense in goal, earning a shutout in the team’s most recent contest.
Thursday’s matchup marks the 20th all-time meeting between Oakland and Valparaiso. The Golden Grizzlies hold a 12-5-2 advantage in the series and are unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Beacons. Oakland has also won seven of the last eight head-to-head matchups. The teams last met in 2025, playing to a 1-1 draw in Rochester.
Valparaiso enters Thursday’s match at 2-4-1 and has dropped three of its last four contests. The Beacons most recently fell 2-0 to Milwaukee on Sept. 6, with Milwaukee scoring once in each half.
Martha Goddard leads Valparaiso offensively with three goals on the season. The Beacons have recorded wins over Western Illinois and Purdue Fort Wayne, while their other four losses have come against Eastern Illinois, Detroit Mercy, Western Michigan and Milwaukee.
Oakland and Valparaiso are set for an 8 p.m. ET kickoff Thursday. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.