Courtey Photo | Oakland University Athletics
Versatile sophomore Carson Ballagh, who can play in the backfield or midfield, is set for an increased role for Oakland University this year.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group and affiliates
BUSINESS LINE: (248) 525-2349
CELL PHONE: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – It’s a new era for Oakland University men’s soccer team. But some things will never change.
Paul Doroh began training last week in his first year as head coach of the Golden Grizzlies.
Doroh accepted the job back in April after longtime coach and friend Eric Pogue stepped down back at the end of January.
A new head coach but the same old expectations.
“Oakland has always had high expectations to be honest, no matter who is coaching,” offered Doroh.
Dating back to when the program first started back in the late 1970s, the Golden Grizzlies have shined with a multitude of NCAA Division I or Division II national tournament appearances or league championships over the years – the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Mid-Continent Conference, Summit League and now the Horizon League, the team’s home since 2013.
Case in point. Since moving up to Division I in the late 1990s, Oakland has won six conference tournament championships in the MCC, SL and HL to qualify for the NCAA Division I College Cup Tournament (2002, 2007, 2019, 2014, 2015 and 2021). OU finished as the conference tournament runner-up six other times. When Oakland competed as a NCAA Division II, the program qualified for the national tournament 14 other times between 1976-1996 before venturing into a two-year period of transforming into a D-I athletics program where the school was ineligible for postseason competition.
Rarely has Oakland finished out of the top half of its conference in men’s soccer and top four finishes have become the norm, not the exception.
“That doesn’t change at all,” offered Doroh, an assistant coach at Oakland the last few years and a former standout player in the 1990s with the Golden Grizzlies. “We always expect to do well and compete in our league. The goal is always try to win the conference championship and win the (conference tournament) to make the NCAA.”
Last year Oakland finished 9-9-2 overall behind a slow 1-4-1 start. Coach Pogue returned from a league of absence on Sept. 18 last year and the young Golden Grizzlies slowly turned the tables, going 6-3-0 overall in Horizon League play to win the regular season title and gain the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament.
Oakland also won two games in the Horizon League Championship Tournament, topping both Purdue-Fort Wayne (1-0) and IUPUI (2-1) before succumbing in the finals to Green Bay (1-0). OU did not qualify for the NCAA Division I Tournament, as in-state rival Western Michigan University was the only D-I school in Michigan to quality.
Oakland finished with a.474 winning percentage and .600 winning percentage inside Horizon League regular season play. The team was outscored 33-27 last season, posting a team goals-against-average of 1.74 while just scoring 1.43 goals an outing.
That is something that Oakland hopes to change this season.
The Golden Grizzlies did pitch six shutouts but were blanked six times themselves. Part of that was with a young team that played inconsistently at times and part of the can be attributed to a challenging conference and non-conference schedule.
Courtey Photo | Oakland University Athletics
Fifth-year senior captain Gabe Baylon should be a key part of a deep midfield for Oakland University this fall.
The Golden Grizzles were just 1-5-2 in non-conference games but did salvage a tie with Michigan State (2-2) and defeated the University of Michigan (2-1). Oakland suffered tough losses to Marshall (4-0), Louisville (4-0) and Western Michigan (5-0), a trio of teams that reached the NCAA Division I tournament.
Oakland graduated six key players, Mikey Ketteman (F), the leading goal scorer the last two years, Owen Smith (M), Villie Ahoua (M), Micah Sonnenberg (D/M), Finn Jurak (G) and Sebastian Nuzzo (D). Plus, junior goalkeeper Michael Sly (Grand Blanc/Vardar Academy) transferred to Michigan State and Donavan Phillip (F/M) moved over to North Carolina State.
Diego Perez (D/M, Rochester Stoney Creek/Vardar Academy), Taiga Shiokawa (M, Novi/Japan) and Dylan Wismont (M) also graduated, while sophomores Luis Helm (D), Christian Rossi (F, Saline), Wyatt Appelt (G) and junior Noah Bickford (D) all hit the transfer portal.
Fifth-year senior Alex Flowers (Schaumburg, Ill./Wester Illinois) was one of three keepers that saw playing time last season and has earned the No. 1 job as the lead goalie in a deep cast of six netminders on the roster. Junior Jace Foster (D), 6-foot-3 junior Zach Townsend (D/F, Oxford/Vardar) transitioned to the backfield last season and again over the summer in USL-League Two play, sophomore Nora Roka (D, Vienna, Austria, Porgy Gymnasium) and junior transfer Malik Sylvester (D, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Salisbury Composite) all hope to be consistent players in the back field.
Versatile sophomore Carson Ballagh (D/M, Lake Orion/Vardar Academy) can play either center back or in the midfield and hopes to be a key player in the back for the Grizzlies. Sophomore transfer Andrija Stozinic (D, Belgrade, Serbia), junior Marco Mazzei (M, Dearborn/Michigan Wolves Academy) and senior Francesco Mazzei (M, Dearborn), a transfer from Trine University, should also compete for starting roles. Fifth-year seniors Gabe Baylon (M, Rochester High/Michigan Wolves Academy), Mohammad Jamal Issa (D, Amman, Jordan) and Mohamed Hammoud (M, Dearborn Height Crestwood/Schoolcraft College) are also potential starters or key contributors off the bench, as the starting lineup is far from decided.
Up top, juniors Kevin Hubbell (F, Benzonia Benzie Central/Midwest United) and Jack Klomparens (F, Holland/Midwest United Academy) and sophomore Andrew Darakdjian (F, Walled Lake Northern/Michigan Jaguars Academy) hope to score goals by committee and help the team improve upon last season’s offensive totals.
“We’re looking at good things from those guys. And they’re all from Michigan, local guys who chose to stay home here in Michigan,” added Doroh.
Hubbell was a former highly-touted goal scorer out of northern Michigan but suffered an early injury last season and ended up missing the season. He’s healthy now and should be a key cog in the attack. Klomparens started his prep career at Holland High School before switching to Midwest United MLS Next Academy and was also an accomplished set-up player and goal scorer, while Darakdjian should also take a step up to help fill the voids by graduation. He was a standout on the MLS Next circuit in the past.
Senior forward Luke Benford (Salem/Michigan Wolves) is another high-volume goal scorer in his youth. Benford transferred in last season from Purdue-Fort Wayne but has fought off some injury issues and should be ready to go later in August. Junior transfer Milan Dajic (F, St. Franics/ Belgrade, Serbia, Rudjer Boskovic) is another sniper who hopes to contribute this season.
Sophomore transfer Julian Kanzler (M), an overseas recruit from Austria SV Grodig, fellow sophomore Austrian transplant Markus Wienerroither (D/M, SV Grodig) and fellow sophomore striker Andriy Bilous (Berkley/California University, Pa.) has returned to his home-town state two years after being a standout on the high school circuit in Michigan. Senior Lejs Plicanic (F, Zareb, Croatia NK Alumnij) could also work his way into playing time.
Courtey Photo | Oakland University Athletics
Sophomore defender Nora Roka should vie for extensive playing time for Oakland.
Sophomores Jaylen Pinheiro (D, Brampton, Ont.), Ali Jaffer (M, Novi Detroit Catholic Central/Vardar Academy) and Nour Aoude (M, Dearborn Fordson/Vardar Academy) and junior goalkeeper Aiden Smith (Rockford/Midwest United) all hope to get minutes somewhere on a deep roster. Junior Adbulraman Al-Rashed (D/M, Baghdad, Iraq), a transfer from Spring Arbor, will be another one to watch.
Attracting key newcomers has never been a problem at Oakland. Beside the transfer portal, eight freshmen have found their way onto the roster – including four keepers in Quentin Ubaydi (Rochester Stoney Creek/Vardar Academy), Jayden Quemada (Peoria, Ariz., Centennial), Cole Thompson (Noblesville, Ind.) and Sebastian Stanaj (Rochester Stoney Creek) who will be awaiting time on the depth chart. Field players Evan Combs (M/D, Macomb Dakota/Vardar Academy), Miller Knestrict (M, St. John, Ind., Lake Central), Tyler Matuzak (D) and Harry Phantis (D, Hertfordshire, U.K., Aldenham Senior) also help to crack the rotation as true freshmen.
Choices. Plenty of choices for the OU coaching staff.
Who will start? Who will come off the bench early? Wo will be further down the depth chart?
“Our whole roster is made up of quality players with great backgrounds and I don’t see depth being a problem at all,” noted Doroh. “My coaching staff and I were talking the other day that we can’t look at 3-4 guys and say they are practice players. There isn’t really anyone like that. That means there will be a lot of competition at each position for playing time and we hope to get a lot of guys minutes, especially early in the season in our non-league (schedule).”
Although the Golden Grizzlies may have a few question marks in terms of how the depth chart will eventually settle in, there’s no doubt that Oakland should be a top-tier team in the Horizon League.
“That’s always the goal. We feel we’ll be very competitive – young, very young with a lot of sophomores and freshmen on the roster and some transfers,” added Doroh. “But I feel like things are coming along and we hope to be one of the top teams in our league and compete again for the title. There’s a lot of good teams in our league, too. Green Bay has come on strong, (University of) Detroit (Mercy) has come on – there’s a lot of teams that could be better this year and that will make for some great competition. And the coaches are young. There’s a few coaches that are in their second year and I’m in my first year as a head coach.
“But we were able to retain a lot of players that opted to stay even though there was no head coach there for almost two months,” continued Doroh. “These guys are dedicated to Oakland and want us to succeed. They want to be a part of it.”
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremiermediagrp.com.)
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Michigan-based Premier Media Group is expanding ... don't miss out on coverage
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – The Premier Media Group is expanding its broadcast net.
And we want you.
The Michigan-based PMG, founded in 2022, its flagship production the Michigan Soccer Network and all other affiliates, is actively scheduling games in a wide variety of high school leagues and conferences, small colleges, amateur, pre-professional, youth club, and other avenues of the beautiful game in Michigan.
The schedule for the fall semester is starting to fill up across Michigan.
The daily connections are being made and the spreading of our brand has brought in great reviews.
Would the coaches, administration, student-athletes, players and fans like for us to broadcast a game near you?
Regardless of the now-popular remote broadcast games, on-location broadcast games, on-location shows or in-studio daily shows, there is a simple process. Visit the website www.michigansoccernetwork.com or click below for details.
PMG will also be holding various “Win A Free Broadcast” contest at various parts of the fall, winter (indoor) and spring seasons.
"(Michigan Soccer Network) has does a great job making these kids feel special,” offered Michal Hatfield, girls soccer coach at Trenton High School who also coaches in the Detroit City FC youth club system. “The broadcasts were professionally done and we were very pleased when they did our games. They did a great job with (play-by-play), graphics and postgame interviews with the kids. And a lot of people saw it. We had uncles and aunts that have never seen their nieces play get a chance to watch them on YouTube). And all of the kids were able to jump on there (the YouTube channel) afterwards and watch the game.”
The MSN staff had the pleasure of broadcasting multiple games the last two school years for schools in the Oakland Activities Association and have received its fair share of feedback. The goal is to conduct broadcasts of games throughout the state of Michigan, especially in the larger populated regions.
“MSN has done a great job with broadcasts in our league (Macomb Area Conference),” said Trevor Foster, current head coach of the Romeo girls soccer program, goalkeepers coach for Oakland University’s soccer programs, and director at the Michigan Goalkeepers Academy. “I know the girls love it. And I know some of the parents were putting their earphones on and listening to the game when they were (in the stands) and it gives relatives a chance to watch games that they normally wouldn’t be able to.
“It’s as close to professional (broadcast) as any broadcast of high school soccer that you will see out there,” added Foster. “Plus, they do all types of (amateur and pre-professional) leagues out there (in Michigan).”
“We were very pleased, especially with the knowledge of high school soccer in the state of Michigan from the play-by-play announcers and color commentators,” said Todd Heugh, the current director of athletics at Troy Athens High School and a former coach at the school. “They put together a valuable (product) and the games are live on YouTube for everyone to watch, even if you are (a relative or an alumni) not in the area. I know coaches go on there (YouTube), too, to watch games of an upcoming opponent.”
The PMG staff has a goal of 100-plus games this fall from mid-August through November. The Michigan Soccer Network conducted a record 50 remote or in-person broadcasts during the month of June.
PMG also has contacts within Michigan, the Midwest and even in different parts of the U.S. and have become broadcast partners for more than 15 different leagues or franchises within those leagues over the past three years. PMG has multiple broadcasting rights for within the USL-League Two, USL-W League, UPSL, MWPL, NISA, WSPL and more and constantly expanding its web of coverage both on various YouTube channels and on our website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com. It has broadcasted more high school boys soccer and high school girls soccer at more than 75 high schools in Michigan.
“MSN has been a great media partner for the Bucks and AFC,” said Costa Papista, President of the Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC of the USL-League Two and USL-W League, respectively. “The production and overall quality of our live broadcasts are professional grade. Flint City fans, sponsors and supporters greatly appreciate the MSN quality. We are always receiving excellent feedback and comments from our fans and visiting fans as well.”
And now the busy season starts in earnest with high school, college and youth club team beginning the 2024-25 school year.
To schedule a game or to consult team members of our broadcast, reach out to the following persons in the PMG family of networks: Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner, 248-525-2083, jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com or new Director of Scheduling / Office Manager Alaina Gagnon, at agagnon@thepremiermediagrp.com and inquire about the broadcast options, packages, special packages and more.
For news on the soccer scene in Michigan, check out the MSN website at www.michigansoccernetwork.com for daily updates, game recaps, feature stories, previews and more for teams, players and coaches from a wide variety schools, amateur teams, colleges and youth club teams.
The PMG and MSN staff will continue to reach for its goal of providing quality broadcast on any network and in-depth coverage and content on it website.
INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE
Interested in internships in broadcasting, communications, journalism, public relations or sales and marketing in the sports world? The Premier Media Group is seeking applications for current college students or students entering their senior or junior years of high school that have a career interest in working in different capacity of a constantly-evolving media world.
Contact both Broadcast Director Jonathan Turner at 248-525-2083 or jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com and Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at (248) 525-2349 and dstickradt@thepremeiermediagrp.com.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer involving teams, players or coaches with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com or dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com, or call 248-884-1051 or 248-525-2349. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com and jonathan@thepremeiermediagrp.com.)
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