Oakland University

OU Facts & Rankings

Oakland University Facts

• 15,979 Undergraduate Students & 3,203 Graduate Students
• 102 Bachelor’s degree programs
• 144 Doctoral, Master’s degree and Certificate programs
• Public R1-style research university (high research activity) with strong academics and a real-world focus
• 1,400+ acre campus with a traditional college feel, but close to Detroit opportunities

Oakland University Rankings

• Top Public University – U.S. News & World Report
• Top Performer in Social Mobility – U.S. News & World Report
• Best Colleges in the Midwest – The Princeton Review
• Best Value School – U.S. News & World Report
• Top 10% for Career Outcomes – (based on alumni earnings & ROI data trends)

Located in the beautiful and thriving city of Rochester, Oakland University delivers the perfect environment to grow, compete, and succeed.

Rochester, MI. is known world-wide for it's "Big Bright Lights," downtown Christmas light show!

Located just 30 minutes from downtown Detroit, Oakland University puts you within reach of endless professional, cultural, and career opportunities.

Make this beautiful, modern campus your home!

WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES

The Oakland Soccer Field has served as the home field for the Oakland women's soccer programs since 2001. During that time, the team has hosted multiple international team camps. Most recently, it served as a host site for FC Tunise during the Club World Cup in 2025. The 120 x 75-yard field is seeded with Kentucky bluegrass and rye.

With brand new turf, installed in 2026, The Grizz Dome provides teams with climate friendly options incase the weather doesn't cooperate! This includes a soccer specific 11v11 field and 7v7 field.

G.R.I.T.

G.R.I.T. defines the four pillars that Oakland Women’s Soccer is built upon - shaping our culture, driving our standards, and guiding our pursuit of excellence every single day. Growth- Being driven by wanting to get better each day in everything you do, and each player holds that standard Relentless- The ability to overcome any challenge and keep fighting, no matter what challenges are presented to you Integrity- Knowing what is right and choosing to hold yourself and teammates accountable when no one else is watching Teamwork- Creating a family environment where you support and challenge each other to be the best version of yourself Our culture is something we all create, take pride in, and own. Shaping not only great soccer players, but even better people.

Championship Culture

Oakland has been recognized by the United Soccer Coaches College Services with the Academic Team Award for 14 consecutive years, highlighting the program’s sustained excellence in the classroom. The team has maintained an outstanding 3.53 cumulative GPA, reflecting a strong commitment to academic success. On the field, the program’s tradition is equally impressive. Over its 30-year history, Oakland Women’s Soccer has captured 16 championships and earned 8 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a standout run to the second round in 2012. Oakland University Women's Soccer is consistently competing at a high level, Oakland ranks among the top programs nationally, outperforming 85% of collegiate women’s soccer programs in both championships won and NCAA Tournament appearances.

Leave a legacy. Earn a degree that sets you up your Future.

Notable Alumni: Sophie Wilsey- 2022 Horizon League Player of the Year Anita Rapp- Won a gold medal with Norway in the 2000 Olympics Karabo Dhlamini- Member of the 2023 World Cup team for South Africa

Oakland University offers nationally recognized programs in Business, Health Sciences, and Engineering, in addition to a diverse selection of highly regarded academic programs, ensuring student-athletes are prepared for success in any path they choose beyond the field. The School of Business is AACSB accredited, a distinction earned by less than 1% of business schools worldwide, and is consistently ranked among the Top 25 by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report for both undergraduate and MBA programs.

The School of Health Sciences provides a wide range of majors for those pursuing careers in the medical field. The program prides itself on strong post-graduate placement rates and established partnerships with leading healthcare systems such as Corewell Health and Henry Ford Health, giving students valuable real-world experience.

The School of Engineering and Computer Science is known for its hands-on, career-focused approach. Students gain practical experience through cutting-edge labs, research opportunities, and strong industry connections, particularly within Michigan’s automotive and technology sectors. With a focus on innovation and problem-solving, graduates are well-prepared to step directly into impactful careers or continue into advanced studies.

Student-Athlete Support

Our support staff is the foundation of our program’s excellence, delivering a truly elite and holistic development environment for every student-athlete. Through best-in-class Academic Support, Strength & Conditioning, Nutrition, and Mental Health services, our players are empowered to maximize their performance, growth, and well-being - on the field, in the classroom, and in life beyond the game. What sets our program apart is the intentional alignment of these resources, creating a high-performance culture that mirrors the professional level. Our student-athletes are not just supported - they are challenged, developed, and prepared to thrive in every aspect of their journey. Through our world-class partnership with Henry Ford Health, widely recognized as one of the top hospital systems in the country and the official medical provider for all four of Detroit’s professional sports teams, our players receive access to elite sports medicine, injury prevention, recovery, and performance care. This partnership ensures our student-athletes benefit from the same standard of care and innovation as professional athletes, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Head Coach Devin Zvosec

During the first two seasons leading the program, the Oakland University women’s soccer program demonstrated significant growth and competitive progress while establishing a strong culture of excellence on and off the field. The program improved its Horizon League standing by five positions, moving from 11th place in 2024 to 6th place in 2025, while doubling its win percentage and reducing conference losses from eight to just two. The team earned points in 8 of 10 Horizon League matches for the first time since 2022, finished unbeaten at home in conference play, and increased its goal production from 10 to 20, the most since 2022. This progress led to the program’s first Horizon League Tournament appearance since 2022 and a semifinal appearance for the first time since 2021. In addition to competitive success, the program produced All-Horizon League honors and a Sportsmanship Award finalist while maintaining strong academic standards, including a 3.53 team GPA for the second consecutive year and the highest number of 4.0 student-athletes in the athletic department. The program also continued to emphasize holistic development, recruiting the first Pescovitz Presidential Scholar in program history and completing 421 hours of community service as a team.

Coach Zvosec spent the 2024 spring season at the University of Miami in the ACC as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He was tasked with leading the charge on international and domestic recruiting as well as helping develop the backline and the team's defensive tactics.

Prior to his time at Miami, he served as the Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at James Madison University for three seasons (2021-2023), helping the Dukes to a 30-18-14 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance, the program's first in eight years. As an NCAA at-large selection in 2023, JMU finished with a top 50 RPI, using a program-best 10-game unbeaten streak that season.

Coach Zvosec's recruiting efforts play a pivotal part in James Madison's success. He helped put together three consecutive nationally ranked recruiting classes at No. 35, No. 36 & No. 40 per Topdrawer Soccer, the first-three nationally ranked classes in program history.

During his tenure, JMU held teams to just 0.86 goals per game, with James Madison earning an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament and second of two Sun Belt Conference Tournament finals appearances. 

Charged with leading the JMU defense, Zvosec and the Dukes tallied 12 wins in the program's first year in the Sun Belt Conference. The program notched multiple program records including goals against average (0.56), goals allowed (12), shutouts (13) and consecutive minutes without permitting a goal (475:31). Keeper Alexandra Blom was named Sun Belt Goalkeeper of the Year, with two defenders being tabbed to the All-Sun Belt squad.He helped coach and mentor six JMU Dukes soccer players who have gone on to join the professional ranks at the conclusion of their collegiate careers.

Over three seasons, Coach Zvosec coached and mentored nine James Madison Dukes women's soccer players who went on to join the professional ranks following their collegiate careers.

Zvosec helped achieve unprecedented success at another program, doing so as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of North Florida. In Jacksonville, Zvosec helped the Ospreys to their best four-year span in program history, tallying school records for wins, highest finish in the Atlantic Sun and final NCAA Division I RPI and regional rankings. In the 2021 season, the Ospreys went undefeated in Atlantic Sun regular season play, earning a regular season league championship and finished the season with the lowest GAA in program history (0.66) and highest goal per game average in program history (2.08).   

Zvosec helped coach future member of the Orlando Pride, Thais Reiss, during his time at North Florida. Reiss would be selected to the United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Team on five instances, while being named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year in the spring of 2021. Goalkeeper Mercedes Sapp was also named Atlantic Sun Conference Goalkeeper of the Year that same season.  

In total, Coach Zvosec has developed 29 collegiate soccer players who have gone on to compete at the professional level across the globe—highlighting a proven track record of elevating talent to the highest levels of the game.

STYLE OF PLAY

Oakland University Women’s Soccer prides itself on a modern, attacking style of play built on possession, purposeful build-up through the thirds, and creativity in the final third. The Oakland Way is different - it’s intentional, demanding, and truly uncommon. To bring this vision to life, our student-athletes train in a high-performance environment supported by cutting-edge resources. From Spiideo video analysis and drone filming that provide elite tactical feedback, to a FIFA-approved grass surface and a 108,000-square-foot indoor facility, every detail is designed to maximize development. Our use of GPS and heart rate monitoring allows us to individualize training, optimize performance, and make sure our players are competing at their highest level. But what truly separates Oakland is the player-centered approach behind it all. We don’t just develop athletes - we develop complete competitors. Every session is designed to challenge decision-making, accelerate soccer IQ, and prepare our players to perform in high-pressure moments. Our environment pushes you beyond your comfort zone while surrounding you with the support, accountability, and belief needed to grow. At Oakland, you’re not just part of a team - you’re part of a culture built on intentional development, competitive excellence, and leaving a legacy in black & gold. 🖤💛