Box Score
TOLEDO, OH – Toledo kicked off its home opener with a bang, defeating Horizon League foe Oakland, 3-1, on Friday evening at rainy Scott Park. With the win, the Rockets improve to 2-5-0 on the year.

UT netted all three of its markers in the first 11 minutes of the contest to snap a five-match losing skid. Junior Kiersten Johnson opened the scoring following a beautiful pass from sophomore Isa Echeverri into the heart of the goal box at the 7:25 mark. A little over one minute later, sophomore Regan Price found the back of the net for the first time this fall after the ball bounced around the box at 8:57. Johnson and UT were still not done attacking at the outset, as she recorded her first collegiate multi-goal effort with a score in the 11th minute off another helper from Echeverri.

Tonight's non-league matchup was very physical throughout, with Toledo committing 19 fouls and the Golden Grizzles (0-3-4) were whistled for 16 infractions. The first half also saw two cards shown, both to UT. Echeverri was given a yellow card in the 34^th minute and junior Lauren Taylor was shown a red card in the 43^rd minute. 

"With the red card, we had to change the approach a little bit," head coach TJ Buchholz said. "I thought our defense stepped up and played great in the second half. We did give up a goal, but we battled well despite being a player down."

The second half showed a much different pace than the first following UT's ejection. Being a player down, UT was unable to push forward and generate much offense like in the first half. Oakland took advantage of the situation and outshoot Toledo 7-1 over the final 45 minutes, inlcuding Joan Seija who deposited a shot into the frame in the 78^th minute to break up the shutout. 

Buchholz knows what this result means for his young team.

"I think it finally came together for us," Buchholz said. "We took advantage of some opportunities and it was exciting to watch." 

Johnson thinks tonight's win can be a turning point for the team.

"We finally put all of the pieces together," Johnson said.  "I thought we managed the match well. This should be a great confidence booster for the team moving forward."

The Rockets will look to continue its momentum against Wright State on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1:00 p.m. from Scott Park.

TOLEDO 3, Oakland 1

UT: Kiersten Johnson (I. Echeverri), 7:25
UT: Regan Price (Unassisted), 8:57
UT: Kiersten Johnson (I. Echeverri), 10:19
OU: Joan Seija (Sarah Reynolds), 77:02