Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland State University men's soccer team dominated the final 65 minutes of a non-conference match against Xavier, but a slow start doomed the hosts in a 1-0 setback on a pleasant Tuesday evening at Krenzler Field.
The Musketeers controlled the early going and would take a lead inside the first 20 minutes, but the Vikings rallied against a strong BIG EAST side that was in the national rankings just one week ago. CSU outshot Xavier, 19-2, over the final 65 minutes of action but was not rewarded with a goal that it likely deserved.
Freshman Sebastian Kalk made four saves in the setback, nearly all of which were high-quality stops.
Xavier looked to take the lead in the sixth minute with a blast from outside the 18-yard box, but Kalk made a diving save to his left to push the shot wide. The rookie was called into action in the 14th minute when a Musketeer broke free on the left side cutting into the box, but Kalk got a piece of the shot to keep it out.
The guests pulled ahead in the 19th minute when they built they ball out of the back and down the right flank. A service was played to the far side of the goal where Jalen Brown then headed it back across the face of goal. Cory Brown got on the end of the pass with his head near the edge of the six-yard box and pushed it into the net.
After falling behind, Cleveland State rallied as it took eight shots and two corner kicks in the final 20 minutes of the first frame, an effort that would carry over to the second half.
CSU's first good look in the second half came in the 52nd minute when junior Alec Nagucki played a pass from the left side to sophomore Guilherme Vasconcelos. Vasconcelos dribbled forward on an angle to near the edge of the 18-yard box before dropping the ball off to junior Jake Lagania, who blasted a shot high that forced a nice leaping save.
On the ensuing corner kick, senior James Milli found the ball inside the box and blasted not too far wide of the left post.
In the 59th minute, a long range shot by CSU was saved, but the rebound then bounced away. Freshman Lawrence Karpeh beat the goalie to the rebound and appeared to be clipped by the keeper after gaining possession, but penalty appeals were not granted.
Cleveland State continued to put pressure on the Xavier side for most of the remainder of the match, but the hosts were unable to find an equalizer.
Lagania took a game-high five shots while playing 66 minutes off the bench. CSU outshot Xavier, 19-11, in the match.
After playing its penultimate non-conference contest, the Vikings will resume Horizon League play this Saturday, Oct. 8, as they make their first-ever visit in program history to Northern Kentucky.
