Sept. 22, 2001
The Cleveland State (2-5-0) soccer team played its first home match of the season today, defeating St. Bonaventure 4 - 3 behind a second half hat trick from junior Joachim Walker (Bay Village, Ohio/Bay). After a scoreless first half, the Vikings took control early and often in the second stanza, lacing strings of passes together and keeping constant pressure on the Bonaventure (3-2-0) defense.
Junior O.C. Haugen (Hornindal, Norway/Stryn) controlled the midfield for the Vikings, assisting senior Misha Levkov (Richmond Hill, Ontario/Bayview) on the first goal of the game. Haugen then found Walker six minutes later racing across the top of the box. Walker split two defenders and slotted the ball in the back of the net as he was falling to the turf.
After a Bonaventure goal made it 2-1, Walker scored twice in less than two minutes to put the game out of reach. Junior Adam Musser (Hubbard, Ohio/Hubbard) and freshman Cameron Husty (Mansfield, Ohio/Madison) assisted Walker on Cleveland State's third goal. The hat trick was finalized when Walker slammed a penalty kick past the Bonaventure keeper. Walker now has four goals on the season, all coming in the last two games.
The Viking defense gave up two late goals, but held on to preserve the win. It will be tested again on Tuesday as CSU travels to Detroit for a 4:00 p.m. match with the Titans. The team then plays again at home next Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Wright State.
