Rochester, Mich. - The Toledo women's soccer team (4-3-1) ended the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 1-0 road victory over Horizon League opponent Oakland (0-9-0) today. The Rockets' goal was scored by freshmen Ashton Cassel and it was her first of the year.
 
"Today's win was very important," Cassel said. "Conference play is coming up and we need to set ourselves up to continue winning."
 
The win comes following Toledo's back-to-back losses against Detroit Mercy (2-1, Sept. 6) and Illinois State (2-1, Sept. 14).
 
"We've had a lot of good opportunities in front of goal recently and it just hasn't been going our way," Buchholz said. "Today, our girls kept fighting to the end. In order to win games you have to make plays and fight, and our team did that so I'm proud of them.  I'm proud of the team effort today and especially our defense. It was an awesome shutout today."
 
Toledo started the day hot, with the Rockets quickly putting a couple shots on goal thanks to senior captain Hannah Scafaria. Scafaria had three attempts in the first 11 minutes but the Golden Grizzlies' defense worked hard to fight off each shot and build into counter attacks.
 
Oakland opened a dangerous opportunity in the 14th minute but junior Rachelle Topolewski slid in at the last minute to make a huge block that kept things leveled at 0-0.
 
The 23rd minute saw sophomore goalkeeper Madison Perrin come up big, stretching out to make a save off Oakland's Sierra Grodsinsky. Oakland regathered and shot in another one that bounced safely off the near post. Minutes later, Oakland's Hollie Clement took a rip that beat Perrin but hit off the crossbar.
 
The Rockets pushed back hard but were unable to get anything in the net before halftime.
 
The second half started off right where the first left off. Toledo held possession and worked to build chances in the attacking third, but was largely kept to the outer edges of the 18-yard box.
 
Freshmen Betsy Lueck found room to the left of the goal in the 78th minute and sent in a laser, but Oakland goalkeeper Jaimie Leas cradled the opportunity.
 
Toledo finally got on the board with two minutes left to play in the match. Senior Natalie Knauf kicked up the ball in close to the Golden Grizzlies' net and Cassel fought her way up front, flicking in a header that soared over Leas. Oakland was unable to respond in the final minute, giving UT the win.
 
Up Next
Today's win was UT's final non-conference match. The Rockets return to the field on Friday, Sept. 21 when Toledo travels to Mid-American Conference opponent Ball State.
 
 
 
Toledo 1, Oakland 0
 
98' Ashton Cassel (1) (Natalie Knauf)
 
Yellow: Hollie Clement (10'), Claire Cahalan (42'), Demetriou Fotini (67')
 
Winning GK: Madison Perrin (3-2-1)
Losing GK: Jaimie Leas (0-9-0)