Dayton, Ohio – League-leading Wright State scored early, and the Cleveland State University men's soccer team was not able to recover as the host Raiders claimed a 2-0 victory Saturday evening at a clear Alumni Field.

CSU and the Raiders each took five shots on goal in the match, and the visiting Vikings had an 8-5 edge in corner kicks. Wright State was extremely physical in the contest as it committed 22 fouls and had three players cautioned.

It didn't take long for the game's first goal as Wright State would score off of an unlikely play in the eighth minute. A long throw-in from the left flank sailed near to the six-yard box where a Viking tried to clear it with a header, but the ball went backward toward the goal line. The header sailed toward the far corner and would find its way across the line before CSU could recover.

Freshman Sebastian Kalk made a big save in the 12th minute to keep the deficit at one for the time being, as he made a kick save off a low blast from about 14 yards out.

Cleveland State controlled the final half hour of the first half, as it had a 5-1 edge in shots and a 5-0 advantage in corners in this time frame.

CSU's first good look at goal came in the 18th minute when junior Kareem Banton made a push forward from his left fullback position. He drilled a ball across the face of goal that the goalie deflected but could not hold, but no Viking was able to get on the end of it.

The Vikings had another good look a few minutes later, beginning when junior Jake Lagania played a diagonal ball over the top of the defense to sophomore Noah Pio. Pio took a couple touches and shot low to the far post, beating the diving keeper, but it passed just wide of the goal face.

A corner taken by Banton in the 39th minute provided some nervy moments for the hosts when senior Dan Koniarczyk was able to get a shot on goal, but it was saved by the Raider keeper.

Cleveland State would not have better luck in the second frame at finding an equalizer.

Junior Hesham Hammouda would gather a ball near the touch line at the edge of the box early in the second half. He dribbled horizontally toward the goal mouth but his sharp angle effort would not find a way into the goal.

With time in the match winding down and CSU pushing forward, the Raiders were able to counter and get on the ball near the corner of the 18-yard box. A blast from near the edge of the area toward the far post that may have been going wide was redirected into the goal on a timely run by Luke Treadway.

The two-goal deficit with under 10 minutes remaining was too much for CSU to overcome, setting the final margin.

Cleveland State will now have one week off before resuming action next Saturday, Oct. 29, against Oakland in its home finale.