#HLMSOC Championship Scoreboard (Nov. 13)
(3) Wright State 2, (2) Detroit 0
(1) Oakland 2, (4) Cleveland State 1
ROCHESTER, Mich. -- The autumn wind is a Raider. And an animal that can certainly withstand the autumn wind is a Golden Grizzly. On a frigid evening at the Oakland University Soccer Field, No. 3 Wright State and host Oakland advanced to the Horizon League Men's Soccer Championship.
For Wright State, it marks the program's first appearance in the championship since 2011, when the Raiders lost, 1-0, on a golden goal.
Oakland will play for its first Horizon League men's soccer title after a dramatic comeback saw the Golden Grizzlies net the golden goal against Cleveland State just 35 seconds before penalty kicks were set to decide the semifinals winner.
Wright State (12-6-2) weathered an early flurry from No. 2 Detroit to start both halves, but used two goals seven minutes apart midway through the first half to knock off the Titans, 2-0.
After netting the game-winning goal in Wright State's opening round win over Milwaukee, Horizon League Player of the Year Eric Lynch continued his offensive surge, collecting an assist off a corner kick and grabbing a goal of his own.
In the 27th minute, Lynch struck the Raiders' first corner of the match, and senior Emeka Ononye flew through, drilling the header to the low right corner. The Detroit defender at the post attempted to make the save, but was only able to get a piece of the ball, allowing Wright State to claim the early advantage.
The assist was Lynch's nation-leading 13th of the year, and the sophomore doubled Wright State's lead just seven minutes later. Taking a pass from Michael Hayes, Lynch fired from the right side of the 18, with the shot redirecting off a Detroit defender and escaping Titans goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher, who was wrong-footed on the deflection.
In front of an aggressive Titan attack, the Raiders held on with strong defense as sophomore goalkeeper Tyler Blackmer recorded four saves in posting his second straight shutout and eighth of the season. Detroit outshot the Raiders, 13-8, including a header off the left post midway through the half.
Wright State will be going after its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance, after falling short in 2011 to Loyola. The Raiders (12-6-2) have not won 12 games since 2001.
Earlier in the season, WSU tied Oakland in Rochester, 1-1.
For nearly 110 minutes, it appeared that Oakland's semifinal match against No. 4 seed Cleveland State would officially end in a 1-1 draw, with penalties deciding Wright State's opponent.
However, a late turnover, throw in and goal sent Oakland past Cleveland State, 2-1, with just 35 seconds left in the second overtime period.
Gerald Ben played the hero for the Golden Grizzlies, controlling the ball on the left side of the 6-yard box and firing across the face to the right side, setting off a frenzy among the freezing fans and players.
Ben's goal capped a second overtime in which Cleveland State missed on a golden opportunity in the 103rd minute as Sergio Manesio was set up for a 1-on-1 against Oakland keeper Wes Mink, only to miss on the tap in.
It was Manesio who kept the fans on edge for most of the night, as his rocket to the upper left corner at 32:08 served as a counter to an Oakland attack that had dominated the run of play up until that point.
Cleveland State would continue to rely on a stout defense and goalkeeper Nick Ciraldo, a recipe that helped deliver the Vikings' opening round win over Valparaiso in penalty kicks.
Oakland (8-6-3) would continue to push for an equalizer throughout the second half, and after a Cleveland State handball was whistled just outside the top of the 18, the Golden Grizzlies had their best opportunity of the evening.
With a 5-man wall in front, Oakland's Gavin Hoy went low and outside the wall, freezing Ciraldo as the shot found the lower right corner and tying the game with 19:54 left in regulation.
Neither team could find the game-winner in regulation, and for most of both overtimes, it appeared as if penalties would decide the outcome.
However, a late Cleveland State turnover allowed for Oakland's Cody Archibald to unleash a throw-in into the box, where John DeLeon was able to get a head on the ball, where it landed at Ben's right foot.
In its second year in the Horizon League, Oakland will play for its first men's soccer title.
Wright State and Oakland will square off at 6 p.m. EST from the OU Soccer Field. Coverage will be live on ESPN3.
