COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cleveland State opened their 2022 season with a 17-9 setback against Ohio State on Saturday afternoon inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead as Gannon Matthews scored an unassisted goal with 11:22 left in the first quarter. Andrew Boniface then doubled the advantage with an unassisted goal of his own at the 9:17 mark.
Ohio State tallied their first goal with 5:37 showing and then tied the game at two-apiece just 12 seconds later. However, an unassisted goal by Ian McKissick with 1:03 left in the quarter put Cleveland State back on top, 3-2, as the game moved to the second quarter.
The Buckeyes retied the game at 3-3 just seven seconds into the new frame on an unassisted goal. Michael Care put the Vikings back ahead, 4-3, scoring off a pass from Jason Sullivan with 13:04 to go in the quarter.
Ohio State ended the first half with five unanswered goals, including two man-up tallies to lead 8-4 at the half.
Matthews started the new half as he did at the start of the game, scoring an unassisted goal as Cleveland State trailed 8-5 with 11:18 showing on the scoreboard. The Buckeyes answered with four straight goals, extending their advantage to 12-5 with 6:25 to go in the quarter.
Adam Clark halted the run, scoring off Sullivan's second assist as the margin was now six with 2:48 left in the third. Ohio State then accounted for the final two goals of the quarter to lead 14-6.
Ohio State found the back of the net with 11:30 remaining before Nick Polydoras scored off Sullivan's third helper as Cleveland State trailed 15-7 with 10:10 to go in regulation. Following a Buckeye goal at the 9:06 mark, the Vikings tallied back-to-back goals from Clark and Gavin Held to pull within 16-9 with 2:37 left in the game.
The Buckeyes bagged the final goal of the game with 1:41 remaining as Cleveland State dropped their season opener on the road, 17-9.
Inside the Box Score
Robbie Brazanskas led the defense with game-best three-caused turnovers. Cleveland State scooped up 17 ground balls with Reggie Regala, Brazanskas, and Sullivan having two apiece.
Cameron Logan started the game in goal, finishing with ten saves. Gareth Haigh played the final six minutes, making two saves.
Matthews and Clark each had two goals on six shots. Sullivan had three assists and Matt Manfredi accounted for the other helper.
Up Next
The Vikings will play their first game inside the Krenzler Bubble on Saturday, February 19 at 11 a.m. against Mercer.