Oct. 3, 2004
Contact: Brian McCann
STRONGSVILLE -- Evidence of the progress that the first-year Viking women's soccer team has made since beginning their inaugural season was clearly evident during Sunday's 1-0 loss to UW-Milwaukee at Foltz Field.
Playing against the Panthers, a team that has won four straight Horizon League regular season titles, the under-manned Vikings turned in their best performance of the season to date in limiting UWM to just one goal.
"I'm proud of this team," head coach Derrek Falor said. "We played tough and composed against a team that is historically the best in the Horizon League. We didn't let them bully us around. We matched their intensity and emotion and responded to the challenge."
UW-Milwaukee started the match out strong, holding a 7-0 shot advantage over the first 11 minutes, culminating in an Elizabeth McNalley goal off a cornerkick just 11:10 into the match.
"There is something about the first 10 minutes of each half," Falor said. "It takes us awhile to apply the intensity and effort that we need to our play. But once we got it going, we played very well."
Playing without three starters, the Vikings played aggressively for the final 78 minutes, using an opportunistic offense and a strong defense to hold UW-Milwaukee at bay.
The Vikings had a good opportunity to tie the game late in the first half when Heather Clapacs fed Jennifer Wieand ahead for a breakaway, but Panther goalie Kerri St. Aubin challenged Wieand, deflecting the shot out of bounds for a cornerkick.
CSU freshman goalie Ashley Kidwell, who earned the start because of a knee injury to starter Allie Zajaros, was impressive in the nets, recording a career-high 13 saves.
"Ashley was phenomenal," Falor said. "She took charge of the defense and did a great job of coming off her line to challenge crosses and clear the ball with punches."
The loss dropped CSU's record to 0-12 on the year and 0-1 in Horizon League play while UW-Milwaukee improved to 5-6-2 overall and 3-0 in league action.
Cleveland State returns to action on Wednesday night (Oct. 6) when the Vikings host Wright State beginning at 7 p.m. at Foltz Field in Strongsville.
