Golden Grizzlies Bow Out in Horizon League Semifinals
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Golden Grizzlies’ journey in the 2025 season concluded on Thursday as they lost to the Milwaukee Panthers 3-0 in the Horizon League Championship Semifinals held at Engelmann Stadium.
Early Dominance by the Panthers
The match commenced with Milwaukee asserting its dominance early on. Despite the Golden Grizzlies’ attempts to establish offensive momentum, a shot from Anuhea Aluli in the fifth minute just missed the target. The Panthers took advantage of the situation, with Kiersten White scoring in the 11th minute to put Oakland behind right away.
Continued Struggles for Oakland
Oakland sought to respond, generating pressure through various attacks. A noteworthy effort came from Brae Cole in the 16th minute, forcing a save from Milwaukee goalkeeper Bella Hollenbach. Despite their persistence, the Grizzlies were unable to capitalize on their chances, and the first half ended with them trailing 1-0.
Second-Half Opportunities
The second half presented a more balanced possession as Oakland made several sustained attempts towards Milwaukee’s goal. However, it was the Panthers who struck first in this half, with a goal by Karlof in the 50th minute, adding to their lead. The Grizzlies countered with shots from Ella Shapiro and Isabella Bierod, both of which went off-target, alongside a save from Hollenbach against Bella Haynes.
Missed Chances and A Strong Finish by Milwaukee
Despite Oakland’s efforts to narrow the gap, which included further shots by Aluli and Cole, they could not convert any of their attempts. Milwaukee then took control, scoring a second goal by Emily Petring in the 67th minute, extending their lead to 3-0. The match concluded without Oakland managing to score, despite their valiant efforts throughout.
Performance Overview
The shot counts reflected a closely contested match, with Milwaukee registering 13 shots compared to Oakland’s 10. However, the Panthers led in shots on goal at 6-4. Brae Cole emerged as Oakland’s key player, taking three shots, including two on target. Anuhea Aluli and Ella Shapiro also contributed with two shots each during the match.
This semifinal loss underscores a resilient campaign for the Golden Grizzlies, marking a significant step forward for the program as they prepare for future challenges.
