Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland State University men's soccer team dominated its non-conference finale with Atlantic Coast Conference foe Pittsburgh and claimed a 1-0 victory Tuesday evening at a rainy Krenzler Field.

In defeating the Panthers for the second straight season, CSU outshot the Power Five side by a wide 19-4 margin.

Sophomore Noah Pio scored his first career goal in a Viking uniform while rookie Sebastian Kalk posted his third consecutive clean sheet in net.

On an unseasonably warm evening, heavy rain reached the area just before kickoff, and precipitation would come and go all game.

CSU had a good look at goal early on in the contest. Junior Jake Lagania made a long push down the right side with the ball and would eventually cut inside and pass the ball across the top of the box. Classmate Hesham Hammouda blasted from inside the area, but Mikal Outcalt made a diving save.

Just a few minutes later, rookie Lawrence Karpeh got in behind the Pitt defense and had a sharp angle shot from inside the box go high of the frame.

In the 24th minute, CSU drew a foul not far outside the top of the box. Senior Sergio Manesio nailed the direct kick on frame, but Outcalt made the save of that shot and stoned Karpeh's follow up attempt on the rebound.

The Vikings were unable to get on the board in the first half but that would change not too long into the second stanza.

The first three shots of the second half were all taken by Pio, and the third time was the charm.

In the 57th minute, junior Alec Nagucki won the ball from a Panther in the defensive third of the field. He played it up to Lagania, who took a couple touches and hit Pio with a pass in a wide right position. Pio dribbled forward on an angle toward the middle of the field. He took on Panther defenders and was able to squeeze through them and keep possession into the box. In alone on goal, Pio tucked the ball into the lower right corner to give the hosts a deserved lead.

In the 61st minute, freshman Gabriel Pewu was taken down by a charging Outcalt, a foul that appeared to occur in the box. Although Outcalt was cautioned, no penalty was granted.

Although the Panthers did get on the ball a little more as the clock dwindled, they were rarely able to generate dangerous opportunities. Pitt had only two shots in the second half, and the Vikings were able to survive two Pitt corner kicks in the final 25 minutes.

The Panthers' best look may have come in the 86th minute with a blast from inside the box to Kalk's right, but it sailed high. Cleveland State was able to protect the one-goal lead and close out the win.

The Vikings had a 9-1 advantage in shots on goal. Cleveland State has now won each of the past four meetings with Pitt.

Cleveland State will hit the road to take on Horizon League leader Wright State this Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:00 p.m.