Moon Township, Pa. – The Cleveland State University men's soccer team rallied from a 2-0, second-half deficit with four unanswered goals at Robert Morris to win for the second time in three days at a stifling North Athletic Complex.
For the second consecutive game, a local CSU freshman had a multi-goal outing. After Lawrence Karpeh found the net twice Friday, Gabe Pewu turned the trick Sunday. The Cleveland Heights product scored the tying and winning goals against the Colonials.
The script was not identical to the opener for CSU, though, as this time the Vikings fell behind and used a furious rally, scoring four times in a span of under 14 minutes, to get into the win column.
The first half was relatively even and looked as though it would be scoreless, thanks in part to a clearence off the line by senior Sergio Manesio. However, in the 41st minute, a failed clear attempt by the Vikings turned into disaster as RMU deflected the clearance before knocking it into an open net.
RMU would double its lead in the 65th minute on a nice header off a cross from the right wing. The Vikings soon responded in a big way.
After sophomore Gianluca DiFranco drew a foul right outside the top of the box, senior Dan Koniarczyk took advantage as he slotted the free kick through the Colonial wall and just inside the left post.
Cleveland State would tie the game in the 73rd minute after sophomore Noah Pio worked to win a corner. Koniarczyk's corner found the head of junior Kevin Blackwood near the far post. Blackwood headed the ball back across the face of goal, over the RMU keeper. Pewu was positioned perfectly to knock the ball in and tally his first collegiate goal.
The rookie was not done yet. Just over five minutes later, junior Hesham Hammouda knocked a thrown-in up the left wing to classmate Jake Lagania. Lagania settled himself and nailed a cross into the six-yard box. Pewu deftly lifted his left leg high above his waist and redirected the ball just inside the near post to put the Vikings on top.
Hammouda would add an insurance tally in the 80th minute. After Pio won a ball in the midfield, a couple of simple passes gave the ball to Hammouda. He charged forward, and with no one stepping up to challenge him, would take a strike. The low shot skipped just inside the left post by the reach of the keeper.
Lagania's assist was the ninth of his career, the most among active Vikings. Freshman Sebastian Kalk played all 90 minutes in goal for the Vikings and earned a win in his first collegiate appearance.
CSU had a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. CSU is now 9-6 all-time against Robert Morris and is 7-1-1 in its last nine regular-season matches dating back to last year.
Cleveland State will have a challenge on its hands when it next takes the pitch as it remains on the road Saturday, Sept. 3, to take on No. 5 Wake Forest.
