Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland State University men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 overtime decision to Duquesne Tuesday evening in non-conference action at a gorgeous Krenzler Field.
The Dukes got the game's only goal fewer than three minutes into the first extra session as they took advantage of a CSU turnover in its own defensive third. Duquesne pushed the ball upfield after intercepting a pass, and then a clearance attempt by the Vikings was blocked. The ensuing deflection went right to an open Duquesne player, who blasted a shot high into the net.
Senior Aleksandar Drobac made five saves in the setback, including a fantastic stop late in the first half.
Duquesne started the game off strong and had a good look at goal off the game's first corner kick, which came fewer than four minutes into the first half.
After Cleveland State weathered the first 10 minutes, the Vikings had a nice chance themselves as junior Alec Nagucki's effort from close range went just wide of the right near post after senior Dan Koniarczyk played a free kick from a wide right position.
Drobac would make an acrobatic save of a point-blank effort in the 34th minute, as he reacted quickly to a redirection of a cross. Senior captain Sergio Manesio made a foray into the box in the 40th minute but appeals for hand ball were waved away after his shot hit a Duke defender.
The second half may have had more action from a physical standpoint than the first, but scoring chances were probably harder to come by in the second 45 minutes. The teams combined for just nine shots in the second half compared to 19 in the first frame.
Perhaps the Vikings' best chance of the second half came in the 85th minute when junior Jake Lagania's header went narrowly over the bar. Sophomore Brent Nanchoff had played a left-footed, inswinging free kick from a wide right position. Nagucki got to the ball near the far post and directed it back toward the face of goal, but his classmate was just unable to put the ball on frame.
The teams soon headed to overtime where the guests would come out on top.
Cleveland State will continue its four-match homestand this Saturday, Sept. 24, as it resumes Horizon League play against Valparaiso.