Oct. 21, 2009
Contact: Renee Adam
Pittsburgh, Pa. - Josh Williams scored in the 83rd minute to tie the match at 2-2, sending it into double overtime, with Cleveland State and Pittsburgh ending the match in a 2-2 draw. The Vikings are now 5-6-4 on the season.
"Overall we played good both offensively and defensively throughout the whole match given the field conditions," head coach Ali Kazemaini said. "Both teams had pressure and great possessions, and it is disappointing that we gave up two goals early in the second half."
Slavisa Ubiparipovic scored the first goal of the match in the 11th minute off a pass from Josh Williams that was sent right to the middle of the box. Ubiparipovic controlled the ball beating two defenders through the box, and chipped the ball into the left side of the net beating Zack Matthews in the goal, giving CSU the 1-0 lead. The goal marked his fourth of the 2009 season.
The Panthers got on the scoreboard just seven minutes into the second half off of a corner kick play, putting the score at 1-1. They would take the lead ten minutes later when the Pittsburgh offense worked the ball wide, crossing the ball to the top of the box, beating Brad Stuver from 20 yards out.
"The field conditions tonight were the worst I have seen in years, but it is what it is and you just have to try and play your game," Kazemaini said. "It was difficult for both teams because you couldn't dribble or pass the ball short you had to rely on headers for the majority of the plays."
Josh Williams scored the final goal of the match in the 83rd minute sending the game into double overtime. Justin Mancine took a free kick for the Vikings from midfield, sending the ball into the box where it took a funny bounce, with Josh Williams going one-on-one with Matthews, beating him into the right side of the net. The goal marks Williams' sixth of the season.
Stuver and Matthews played all 110 minutes in the net for their respective teams.
"We need to keep looking to go forward with our play because we have the variety to score goals, we just need to convert more of the plays we put on the field," Kazemaini said. "This was good preparation for us to play on a grass field before traveling to Wright State. The Wright State game will be a crucial game for us, a win could put us in a great position for the league tournament."
The Vikings return to league play this Saturday (Oct. 24) when they travel to Fairborn, Ohio to face Wright State in a 7:00 p.m. match.
