Cleveland, Ohio – The Cleveland State University men's soccer team claimed a 2-0 victory over defending Horizon League tournament champion Oakland Saturday evening, as the Vikings celebrated Senior Night at an unseasonably warm Krenzler Field.
With the win, CSU assured itself that it continues to control its own destiny for a League Tournament berth heading into the final match of the regular season. If the Vikings win or tie in next weekend's regular-season finale at Milwaukee, they will clinch a playoff berth.
Sophomore Gianluca DiFranco and senior Sergio Manesio provided the goals for the hosts while rookie goalkeeper Sebastian Kalk contributed his fourth clean sheet in the past five matches. He made 10 saves, the most he has made in a regulation match this year.
Oakland had the better of play in the very early portion of the match. An early shot by the Golden Grizzlies saw a Viking defender clear a low shot off the line in the fourth minute. A 15th minute free kick by Oakland from a dangerous spot was sent over the crossbar.
Cleveland State began to assert itself as it took five shots in a 10-minute span near the midpoint of the half without allowing Oakland a single attempt in that time frame.
CSU's first great look came off a corner kick from junior Kareem Banton. Freshman Gabriel Pewu got a clear header, but his attempt rattled the crossbar and bounced away. Fewer than three minutes later, Banton made an overlapping run down the left flank and took the ball into the box. He elected to play a cutback cross rather than take a strike on goal, but no Viking was able to get on the end of his dangerous pass attempt.
Oakland took four corner kicks in the span of 1:15 late on in the first half, but the Vikings held strong and did not yield a shot. Pewu and junior Jake Lagania had some nice combination play approaching the 18-yard box in the 44th minute, but the final pass was lacking, sending the game to intermission.
Oakland had the first quality look in the second half as it got a 2-on-1 situation with a Viking defender in the 56th minute. Kalk made a great sliding save as Austin Ricci tried to shoot the ball back where the keeper had just moved from, but the rookie was able to react in time and snuff it out.
Fewer than four minutes later, the Vikings would pull ahead. Pewu pressured a defender-to-defender pass by Oakland and was able to get a piece and deflect the ball. Although the pass still found its intended target, it was slowed in doing so. That allowed DiFranco to immediately pressure the defender, and he subsequently won the ball from the last man. The sophomore raced in alone on goal and shot low into the netting before the keeper could cut down the angle enough.
DiFranco had a good look to score another in the 75th minute after junior Hesham Hammouda played a cross from the right side of the box into the center of the area. This time though the sophomore tried to chip it, but it sailed high.
Junior Kevin Blackwood nailed a free kick off the crossbar in the 80th minute, as the Vikings found the woodwork again.
Oakland put pressure on CSU over the final 15 minutes and nearly tied the game in the 81st minute off of a free kick from a wide right position. Kalk not only stopped the initial attempt, but made a fantastic save by snatching the rebound attempt with a diving save to his left.
In the 85th minute, Cleveland State would kill the game off, and it started when Blackwood won the ball in a 1-on-1 battle near the corner flag. He then dribbled horizontally into the box and was taken down inside the area. Manesio would take the spot kick and convert without the goalie having a good chance to make the save.
Manesio notched his 16th career goal while DiFranco slotted in the fourth of his career.
While the Vikings do control their own destiny for a playoff spot, they would also clinch a spot if UIC wins or ties its final match or if Northern Kentucky wins or ties its final match.
The Vikings could still finish as high as the second seed with a win. If CSU does get a result at Milwaukee, it not only guarantees itself a playoff berth but also a top-four seed as well. Only two teams have clinched a playoff berth entering the final night of action.
Cleveland State's finale at Milwaukee will take place Friday, Nov. 4.
