Nov. 1, 2001
CLEVELAND - Cleveland State (3-14-0) pulled out a 1-0 double overtime victory over IPFW (2-12-1) last night at Krenzler Field on an IPFW own goal. On a Halloween night when fans showed up in costume and a full moon shone over the field, it was fitting that the contest came to a bizarre conclusion.
Both teams had numerous chances throughout the match, but could not find the back of the net. CSU squeezed off 30 shots and nearly won the game in the 95th minute when senior forward Vetus Syracuse (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield) ripped a shot from the left side that IPFW goalkeeper Peter Hachaj deflected off the crossbar and out of bounds. Hachaj finished with six saves.
The Mastodons nearly matched the Vikings' offensive output, firing 23 shots at CSU senior keeper Josip Novkovic (Euclid, Ohio/Lake Catholic). However, Novkovic was up to the task, making six saves for his first career shutout. IWFW's best chance came just 39 seconds into the second overtime when senior defender Shawn Cairer hit the crossbar with a shot from 20 yards out.
The game finally came to an end in the 118th minute when sophomore defender Benny Eck (Ottendorf, Germany/Friedrich-Fischer-Schule) made a run through the top of the penalty box and was sent a cross that an IPFW defender tried to clear. However, the defender inadvertently chipped the ball over Hachaj's head and into the back of the net.
Its regular season complete, Cleveland State will head to Milwaukee, Wis. on Nov. 10 for the Horizon League Quarterfinals. The Vikings will face No. 21 UW-Milwaukee -- the conference regular season champion. The Panthers won the first meeting on Oct. 21 in Cleveland by a slim 1-0 margin.
