ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Cleveland State Vikings women's soccer team recovered from a late deficit for a 3-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon thanks to Ali Martin's overtime heroics.
Martin, a senior captain, positioned herself to corral a deflected ball following a corner kick in the 97th minute and sent a low finish into the left corner of the net for her first career goal, handing the Vikings their first road win of the season.
Maddie Young factored in on all three goals with a marker of her own to go along with a pair of assists while Elena Gutlove netted a goal and dished out a helper in addition to recording a team-high three shots.
THE GAME
Gutlove notched Cleveland State's first shot of the match, but the Golden Grizzlies took control early with three attempts over the opening nine minutes. Oakland sent in multiple crosses, but the Vikings defense, led by senior Essence Canady, foiled each of them.
The Vikings excelled in set pieces in last week's win over Wright State, and the same was true against Oakland. In the 23rd minute, Kathryn Ramicone found Maddie Young off a corner kick for a 1-0 lead, marking the second consecutive match that the duo produced a goal on a corner.
With less than a minute remaining in the half, sophomore McKenna Donahue nearly scored in her first action of the campaign, but Oakland keeper Jamie Leas came up with a point-blank save to stifle the opportunity.
The Golden Grizzlies drew a foul just outside the Cleveland State 18 in the 54th minute, setting up a free kick from the top left corner of the box. Oakland connected on a ball sent in on the ground, but Stevie Holbrook rushed out to put a halt to the attack.
The Vikings were unable to get a clear in the 67th minute, and the Golden Grizzlies made them pay when Sami Lopez sent a loose ball past Holbrook to level the match at 1-1.
Only four minutes later, Oakland took its first lead when Izzy Karkaba one-timed a ball sent in on a corner kick on the near post to make it 2-1.
Cleveland State looked to reigning #HLWSOC Offensive Player of the Week Elena Gutlove in an effort to respond to the sudden adversity, and it paid off. In the 79th minute, Young sent a beautiful ball in over the Oakland defense that dropped into the chest of Gutlove, who maneuvered around Leas for a wide-open equalizer to force the Vikings' second consecutive overtime session.
Cleveland State scored on the only shot of the first overtime period thanks to another set piece play. This time, Ramicone's kick was deflected by Maddie Young before Martin pounced on the loose ball for the 3-2 win.
Ramicone finished with a career-best two assists while Holbrook totaled three saves to improve to 2-1-0 on the year.
Oakland logged a 10-9 edge in shots, but Cleveland State put six of its nine looks on target.
UP NEXT
The Vikings continue a two-game road swing next Wednesday with a match against Purdue Fort Wayne. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. in front of limited fans at Zollner Stadium.