CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State men's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Northern Kentucky on Wednesday night at Krenzler Field.
The Vikings fell to 3-6-1, 0-3-1 while the Norse stay unbeaten in league play and improve to 6-3-2, 3-0-2.
It was a tale of two halves as the Vikings gave the Norse an unfriendly welcome in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Through the first 20 minutes, CSU tallied nine shots, five of which came from Jake Lagania. None, though, had a bigger impact on the first half than Victor Zamora's at the 10:26 mark. After a header from Lagania was blocked off the tip of the keeper's glove, Zamora ran in for the quick rebound and found the back of the net for the first time in his career, giving CSU the 1-0 lead. Lagania was credited with an assist.
Several other Vikings got in the box score with shots in a dominating first half as they lead total shots 11-4, shots on goal 6-3 and corner kicks 4-1.
The second half, to CSU's misfortune, belonged to the Norse. Though the sides battled closer than the first period, the Norse scored two goals within six minutes of each other to take the lead 2-1.
In the 73rd minute, Kobie Qualah, recently subbed in the game, beat Aleksandar Drobac over the top off a free-kick assist from Dylan Carss. Just over five minutes later, Nick Perez notched his first goal of the year off an assist from Jacob Cunningham.
As the Vikings pushed forward over the final ten minutes, they were unable to find the tying goal and the Norse escaped back to Kentucky with the win.
CSU led total shots 15-9, shots on goal 8-5 and corners 6-2.
Seven different players recorded at least one shot for the Vikings.
Alek Drobac made three saves for CSU but fell to 1-2-1, 0-2-1 in goal.
After playing four of their last five at Krenzler Field, the Vikings will head on the road for five of their final seven games, five against Horizon League opponents. CSU will travel to Oakland this Saturday (Oct. 10) for a 7:00 p.m. contest to begin the final stretch.
