Oct. 27, 2004
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SETTING THE SCENE: The Cleveland State men's soccer team will have the week off to prepare for the final conference match of the season, a 1:00 game at UW-Milwaukee on Sunday, Oct. 31st. The Panthers have won their past four matches, and Sunday will be UW-Milwaukee's third match in six day as the Panthers host Marquette on Tuesday and Butler on Friday before taking on the Vikings. UW-Milwaukee won last year's matchup, a 4-2 result at Krenzler Field, with the Panthers holding the edge in the all-time series with an 18-12-2 record.
REVIEWING LAST WEEK'S MATCHES:
Match 15:Detroit 4, CSU 1 (Oct. 20 at Mentor High School)
David Stewart gave the Vikings an early lead with unassisted goal four minutes into the match, but Detroit came back to score four unanswered goals as Cleveland State fell, 4-1, to the Titans on Senior Night at Mentor High School. The Vikings held a 9-0 shot advantage midway through the first half, but the team's next shot wouldn't come until 11 minutes into the second half.
Match 16: Butler 2, CSU 0 (Oct. 24 at Butler)
Cleveland State fell to 0-5-1 in the Horizon League after getting outshot by Butler, 37-3, on Sunday. The Vikings were forced to play the entire second half with 10 players as David Prentice was given his second yellow card just before halftime. Amir Kettani posted 13 saves, including one on a penalty kick. All three of Cleveland State's shots were on goal.
PREVIEWING THE VIKINGS: Cleveland State will attempt to snap its three-match losing streak Sunday against UW-Milwaukee, one of the top teams in the Horizon League. Winless in the conference (0-5-1) and on the road (0-4-1), the Vikings faced two of the top three teams in the Horizon League last week, and Sunday's match with UW-Milwuakee gives CSU the chance to take on the Horizon League's second place team. After giving up three second half goals to Detroit on Wednesday, the Vikings showed some resilience in the 2-0 loss to Butler on Sunday. "The guys showed a lot of character and guts (in the Butler match)," coach Pete Curtis remarked. "They kept working and fighting certainly did not quit. There was a lot of togetherness and we will keep our heads high." The recent defensive strategy against the top teams in the conference has been to allow opponents long distance shots in an attempt to limit any kind of opportunity to get behind the defense. The philosophy has allowed Amir Kettani to showcase his goalkeeping skills, as the Kirtland native posted 13 saves on Sunday, including stopping a penalty kick in the second half. "Amir handled all their long distance chances very well," Curtis noted. "He was outstanding in everything he did."
HOME SWEET HOME: Wednesday's match with Detroit wrapped up a six-match homestand, a stretch that saw the Vikings go 2-4. Still Cleveland State has been much better at home than away from it, as CSU ends the 2004 season with a 4-4-1 record at Mentor High School/Lost Nation Sports Park. The Vikings remain winless on the road, having posted an 0-5-1 record. Their lone win away from Mentor came against Alabama A&M on a neutral field at Lousiville in the second match of the year. The Vikings posted four road and two home wins last season.
"TEX" MIX: Sophomore David Stewart has been a workhorse wherever coach Curtis has used him this season - whether it be up front of in the midfield. The Ingleside, Texas native used that same work ethic to score the game-winning goal against Buffalo, and to score an early goal to give Cleveland State the lead against Detroit. It was Stewart's hussel and determination that allowed him to gather a loose ball and finish it eight minutes into the second half. "Stewart played very well, and, with his work ethic and determination, the goals are deserved," Curtis commented. David had been waiting for this for some time. ""I have been a little frustrated this year because I've had plenty of opportunities," Stewart remarked after the Buffalo match. "But it felt good to produce one for all of my teammates."
MIRROR MIRROR IN THE GOAL: Amir Kettani leads the Horizon League in both saves (86) and save per game (6.14). The Kirtland native posted his second shutout of the season against Buffalo on Oct. 15, and made 13 saves in the loss against Butler on Sunday, including saving a penalty kick in the second half to keep the match close. "Amir was outstanding in everything he did," coach Pete Curtis commented.
SAME PLACE, DIFFERENT DAY AND TIME: The Pittsburgh match, originally scheduled for November 2nd, has been pushed back to November 3rd. The delay is forced by Pittsburgh's attempt to reschedule events postponed by the recent inclement weather. The match, which is the last of the regular season for the Vikings, will begin at 7:00 p.m.
ONE TOUCHES: Five seniors - Amir Kettani, David Preseren, Cameron Husty, Harveer Mann, and Spencer Lappin - were honored Wednesday as part of senior night at Mentor High School...After having minor surgery almost a month ago, freshman defender Tom Sadd missed his seventh straight match at Butler on Sunday...After getting two yellow cards in Sunday's match, sophomore midfielder David Prentice was forced to miss the second half after receiving the subsequent red card.
