CLEVELAND, Ohio-  The Cleveland State men's soccer team fell to no.20 Akron 2-1 on Wednesday night at Krenzler Field.

Despite the loss, the Vikings (3-9-0) played a tough hard nosed game against a high powered Akron team that won a National Championship in 2010.

In the first half, Akron would get on the scoreboard first when midfielder Adam Najem would net his first goal of the year from the top of the box off of a cross pass from Reinaldo Brenes at the 19:10 minute-mark.  The Cleveland State defense would contain Akron's offense through the rest of the first half, keeping the score at 1-0 heading into halftime.

In the second half, Adam Najem would score his second goal of the game and of the season at the 69:42 minute-mark from the top of the box.  Saad Abdul-Salaam would set Najem up with a cross pass to give them a 2-0 advantage. 

The Vikings would not let up in the match when freshman midfielder Sergio Manesio netted his first goal of his collegiate career with a shot from the top of the box at the 87:53 minute-mark to cut the Zips lead to only 2-1.  Senior midfielder Aslinn Rodas was credited on the assist who delivered a cross pass to set up Manesio.  Unfortunately the Vikings could not tie the match up at two or take the lead, as Akron would prevail in a 2-1 victory.

The Vikings had six shots attempted at the net, with four of the six on goal.  Midfielder Mike Derezic played a good game where he attempted three shots, with two of the three on goal.  Goalkeeper Nick Ciraldo had one save in the match.

The Vikings will return back to conference play for a key matchup,as the Vikings will take on Green Bay at Krenzler Field on Saturday (Oct.12) at 1:00 p.m.