A Promising Roster Takes Shape
The Horizon League preseason poll has positioned Oakland University’s men’s soccer squad fifth among the conference’s ten contenders, a placement that reflects both the program’s recent downturn and the optimism surrounding its revival.
After failing to capture the league title for the first time in three seasons in 2025, the Golden Grizzlies are eager to turn the page, leveraging a blend of experience and fresh talent to mount a serious challenge.
Central to that vision are veterans such as Zach Townsend, Jayden Pinheiro and Josh Francou, who anchor a defensive backline that has shown resilience in previous campaigns.
Adding depth, the team welcomes transfers Grant Mateer from South Carolina and Cal Kurzawa from Wisconsin, both bringing Power Five pedigree, while promising freshmen Edouard Haineault, Ethan Clarke‑Rootham and Jarrett Pechar inject youthful energy.
Championship‑proven players like Andriy Bilous, Noah Roka, Miller Knestrict, Kinan Abdulrazzak, Christopher Jean Leger, Markus Wienerroither and Julian Kanzler return in major roles, providing the leadership needed to guide the younger contingent.
Offensively, Oakland’s 2025 campaign yielded a fifth‑place ranking in goals (11) and assists (11), a sixth‑place finish in total shots (121) and a top spot in shots on goal (51), underscoring a balanced attack that could translate into more scoring chances this year.
With the new campaign on the horizon, the Golden Grizzlies enter 2026 poised to translate their preseason optimism into on‑field results, aiming to restore the program’s former glory.