Oct. 10, 2000
From The Desk Of Pete Curtis -- With defensive instability a huge concern going into week 5, it would be fair to say that a trip to MCC champions, Illinois-Chicago, was not the Vikings' first choice for the next game. However, that is exactly what awaited CSU, as the weather turned cold and the first snow of the season hit the Great Lakes area.
Still desperately missing the stabilizing influence of team captain, Ole Christian Haugen, who underwent knee surgery on Wednesday, the Vikings entered the game optimistic that they could take something from a team that had looked uncharacteristically fallible in recent conference games. However, it took only nine minutes for the Viking defense to lose its concentration, leave its keeper, Josep Novkowic (Jr., Euclid, OH), totally exposed, and allow a UIC tap-in from barely six yards out. Some defensive adjustments, immediately following the goal, steadied things at the back, and the addition of Issam Zejly into the midfield saw the Vikings take on a much more competitive look. Unfortunately, just as CSU looked to have weathered the storm, disaster struck again in minute 29. A Flames player drifted untracked in to the Viking penalty area to get on the end of a simple through ball and make the score 2-0. Again, the Vikings were punished for a lack of defensive concentration and went into the half-time break asking the same old questions.
The first twenty minutes of the second half saw CSU's midfield begin to exert some real influence on the speed and rhythm of the game. In particular, Zejly and Campellone were giving the Flames players a lot of problems with their quick feet and incisive distribution. During this spell, the Vikings enjoyed a good portion of the possession and created a number of difficult moments for the UIC defense. Failure to capitalize upon this strong period, however, came back to haunt the Vikings when, in the 68th minute, a Flames striker was allowed to go unopposed against Novkowic and put the game out of CSU's reach. Given the second-half play of the Vikings to this point, this goal was a real knife to the heart and cruel reward for the craft and endeavor of the Viking midfield. Ten minutes later, and a fourth goal sealed the Vikings heaviest defeat of the campaign and saw them leave the "City of Broad Shoulders" in need of a few of their own.
With nationally ranked Ohio State up next, the Vikings will need to pick themselves up quickly, and rediscover their scoring touch, if they are to halt the trend of the last two games. Four conference opponents remain, with three of those match-ups slated for Krenzler Field. If the Viking defenders can finally knuckle down, and give their offensive teammates something to build upon, then a top four MCC finish is well within reach. A visit to Butler, who recently crushed Detroit 5-1, provides the next MCC challenge for the Vikings on October 15th. A result on the road in Indianapolis would certainly provide CSU with a tremendous springboard for the final phase of the season and send them into their three-game MCC home stretch with every confidence.
