QUICK HITS
- Cincinnati claimed a 3-2 win in overtime over Cleveland State
- The Bearcats scored the winning goal off a corner kick in the 92nd minute
- CSU had rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime
- Gabriel Pewu notched his team-leading fourth goal
- Freshman Pablo Kawecki tallied his first-career goal to tie the match
- Hayden Parente and Lawrence Karpeh each had his first assist of the season
- Cleveland State had a 7-6 edge in shots on goal
- It marked the first time since CSU's season opener it allowed more than one goal
- CSU is now 1-1-1 when matches go to overtime this season
- All four of CSU's setbacks have come by a single goal
MATCH RECAP
The Cleveland State University men's soccer team had shown great resolve in rallying from a two-goal, second-half deficit to force overtime, but host Cincinnati notched a golden goal to claim a 3-2 win Wednesday evening at Gettler Stadium.
Facing a 2-0 deficit with just under 40 minutes to play, CSU scored twice within a 15-minute span to level the match.
Senior Gabriel Pewu notched his team-leading fourth goal off classmate Hayden Parente's first assist of the season. While Pewu putting his name on the scoresheet was not totally unexpected, CSU's tying goal from a more unlikely source. Freshman Pablo Kawecki netted his first collegiate strike while senior Lawrence Karpeh collected his first assist of the campaign.
Putting forth the same starting lineup as it did this past Saturday at Green Bay, Cleveland State and host Cincinnati both had chances in the first half.
In the 16th minute, UC had a free header from close range sent over the bar. Just over 10 minutes later, with the Cincinnati keeper scrambling, Parente hit a loose ball toward goal, but a Bearcat defender was able to prevent it from going over the line. Forward Andrew Nicholas had sent in a cross from the left flank that Pewu challenged the keeper for before the ball fell to Parente.
Freshman Omeed Naeemy came up big for CSU in the 35th minute when a ball played over the top led to a partial breakaway, but the rookie stonewalled the shot. Just about five minutes later, Pewu used a great spin move and then his dribbling and speed to race in alone on goal. However, he was unable to slot his shot past the oncoming keeper.
Cincinnati would take the lead with fewer than four minutes to play in the first half. A Bearcat picked up the ball outside the box, before cutting back his dribble inside the box and finishing low through a crowd.
The Bearcats doubled their lead just a couple minutes after halftime when CSU was unable to clear a ball in the box. Finally, a shot rang off the post before a Bearcat was able to deposit the rebound into the net from close range.
Upon going down two goals, Cleveland State was quick to respond. After UC partially cleared the ball from its own box, Parente got on the ball and sent a right-wing cross back into the area. Pewu beat the oncoming goalkeeper to the ball and headed it home as he was taken down to the turf by the goalie.
Encouraged by cutting the deficit in half, the Vikings found an equalizer in fewer than 15 minutes. Upon gathering the ball near midfield, Karpeh put in work to shield defenders and advance the ball down the right flank. With the defense focused on him, he found Kawecki in space in the middle of the pitch approaching the final third. The rookie gathered the ball, took a couple touches to his left and ripped a shot from 20 yards that got over the keeper but snuck under the bar.
Cleveland State nearly went ahead immediately after tying the game as Kawecki took a pass from the center of the pitch before he played the ball into the run of Pewu. However, Pewu's quick shot was knocked away by the goaltender. That proved to be perhaps the Vikings' best look at a go-ahead goal.
Cincinnati had a number of set-piece opportunities near the end of regulation, including looking dangerous on some of the five corner kicks they took over the final 20 minutes.
The Bearcats were unable to produce a set-piece goal in regulation but scored on the first corner kick of overtime as the delivery was put near the goal line, and the Vikings were unable to clear it before UC knocked it over.
Cleveland State had a 7-6 edge in shots on goal for the match.
CSU will conclude its three-match road trip this Saturday, Oct. 12, at Ohio State.