Sept. 20, 2003
CLEVELAND - David Stewart scored the game-winner with five seconds left in the first overtime period as the Cleveland State men's soccer team (5-3, 2-0 Horizon) defeated UIC, 5-4, to remain unbeaten in Horizon League play. Stephen Ademolu scored his second hat-trick of the season and assisted on the other two goals to help lead the Vikings to their fifth win of the season. With the win, the Vikings retain possession of first place in the Horizon League.
"With all due respect to the many other good players in this league, Stephen Ademolu is the most dangerous player in the league," head coach Pete Curtis said. "Adversity tends to bring out the best in Stephen. His ability to break open games, and keep us in games, like he did today, is absolutely phenomenal. He's the total team player, and he does whatever is best for the team. This was an All-American quality performance from him today."
In the overtime period, each team had several chances at ending the match, with both goalkeepers coming up large. Josh Robinson of UIC (5-2, 0-2 Horizon) had a rocket shot that was parried away by CSU goalkeeper Amir Kettani, while David Prentice had a shot minutes later slam off the crossbar. Stewart finally ended the match, beating UIC keeper Ross Cain after Ademolu took on the Flame defense and laid the ball off to the oncoming freshman from Texas.
"To get the win shorthanded with that little time left, we got a huge break from Stephen, and he got great support from David," Curtis said. "What a way for him to get his first collegiate goal. He's been a solid role player, and today, he stepped up huge for us."
The Vikings took a 1-0 lead into halftime on Spencer Lappin's fifth goal of the season just seven minutes into the match. UIC came out after halftime and scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the half, with Roberto Gallo and Dennis King finding the back of the net.
Ademolu tied the score at two at the 62:25 mark of the match, scoring on an assist from Lappin. UIC came right back down the field and forced a penalty kick, which King converted for his sixth goal of the season. Ademolu again equalized, with Lappin again assisting, with about 10 minutes to play, with the game appearing headed to overtime.
But UIC would strike back, as Tyler Cuba converted on his first goal of the season, with just over five minutes to play. Ademolu then hit his third goal of the game, this time taking on the UIC defense unassisted, just under a minute later.
"We played exceptionally well the first 25 minutes of the match," Curtis said. "Our movement was good, and had we had better finishing, we would have put the game out of reach. When we didn't, they accepted the break we'd given them, and, like any good team, they came back fighting and more dangerous."
The Vikings also had to overcome the loss of senior defender Benny Eck, who received a red card with 24 minutes to play in regulation. Eck will now miss the next game, Wednesday against Pittsburgh.
"I've got to give our guys all the credit in the world, they totally refused to quit," Curtis said. "At different times, different people stepped up for us. Benny was exceptional on defense until he was sent off, and, knowing Benny, he's extremely disappointed that he put the team in that situation."
The Vikings will next face Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. at Krenzler Field.
