Contact: Jeff Sattora
MATCH #17
Cleveland State at Green Bay
Saturday, Nov. 3rd, 2012
2:00 p.m.
Green Bay, Wisc.
ENDING THE REGULAR SEASON
Cleveland State will end the regular season this week as they play their final regular season game this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against Green Bay on the road. The game is a big one for the Vikings as they are currently in the second spot in the Horizon League standings, with the top two teams in the standings earning a bye in the first round of the Horizon League playoffs.
REVIEWING THE LAST TIME OUT
The Vikings ended last week 2-0-0, here are recaps of those contests.
Game #15: Cleveland State 3, Loyola 2 (OT) (Oct. 24)
The Vikings improved to 4-1-2 on the year in overtime contests last Wednesday as they took down Loyola 3-2. After falling behind 2-0 in the first half CSU looked like they may be in trouble on the road in Chicago. Although it seemed like they were in a tough spot, the Vikings were able to put in goals by both Zach Ellis-Hayden and Mike Derezic in the 32nd and 44th minutes of play to tie it up. The two team's then battled to a scoreless second half before Derezic was able to again find the back of the net to bring home the win for the Vikings in the overtime session.
Game #16: Cleveland State 1, UIC 0 (Oct. 27)
Coming off the big overtime win Wednesday, CSU was able to get a huge 1-0 `Senior Day' win over UIC. The two teams came into the game tied for second in the league standings and the game played out like the teams were that even. The game was played in a dead lock 0-0 tie for the first 54 minutes before Cameron Eisses found Aslinn Rodas in the box off a free kick to give the Vikings the lead. CSU was able to then hold on in the last 36 minutes of back and forth action to walk away with the win.
STANDINGS BUNCHED TOGETHER
With one game to go for CSU in league play the Vikings are currently sitting in the second spot in the standings at 4-1-1. Despite holding that second spot with four wins, there are currently three teams at the top of the standings between three and five wins in Detroit, Cleveland State, and UIC.
BALANCED OFFENSIVE ATTACK
This season through 16 games CSU has been very balanced on the offensive end, with nine players scoring at least one goal. Eight of those players (Cazz Warren, Zach Ellis-Hayden, Admir Suljevic, Mike Derezic, Alfonso Sandoval, Cristian Arboleda, Aslinn Rodas, and Aaron Adkins) have multiple goals. Forward Admir Suljevic and midfielder Mike Derezic are currently tied for the CSU team lead in goals with four.
STUVER AND DEREZIC HONORED
Senior goalie Brad Stuver and sophomore midfielder Mike Derezic were both honored this week as the Horizon League Defensive and Offensive Players of the Week respectively. Stuver earned the defensive honor for the second time this season, with Derezic earning the offensive award for the first time on both this season and his career.
SULJEVIC AND WARREN ADDING UP THE POINTS
Two Vikings' forwards, Admir Suljevic and Cazz Warren, are currently ranked in the top seven in the Horizon League points race. Suljevic is currently sixth with 11 points on the year. Warren is sitting right behind him in the rankings, coming in seventh with nine points.
SHUTDOWN STUVER
Senior goalie Brad Stuver is back in goal for his fourth straight year starting for the Vikings. Stuver is a two-time all-league honoree (1st team in 2010, 2nd team in 2011), and 2010 Goalie of the Year award winner. He currently leads the league in shutouts with seven, and is second in the league in both saves (70) and goals against average (0.89)
HIGH RANKING OFFENSE
Looking at the team rankings in the Horizon League, CSU is near the top in each major offensive category. Cleveland State currently leads the league in goals with 24 and points with 68, and is also second in assists with 20.
WORKING OVERTIME
CSU has put in a lot of extra work in games this season, with seven of their 16 games going into overtime. The Vikings are now 4-1-2 in those overtime contests, with three of those wins coming in league play.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will make an appearance in the post-season Horizon League tournament. The opponent and schedule is to be determined.
