Oct. 30, 2007
Contact: Brian McCann
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Heather Clapacs made sure her collegiate career would last at least one more match as the senior midfielder scored the game-winning goal with 2:04 left in the first overtime as the eighth-seeded Vikings defeated ninth-seeded Youngstown State, 2-1, in the opening round of the Horizon League Championships on Tuesday night at Krenzler Field.
The victory propels the Vikings (5-13-1) into the second round of the league tournament where they will play at top-seeded Milwaukee on Saturday at 7:00 pm CST.
"We controlled play for most of the match, but couldn't score until the final minute," CSU head coach Derek Falor said. "Jenni and Abbie had opportunities all around the box, but just couldn't connect.
"Once we went down, our seniors really took over and forced play and we were fortunate that Abbie got such a great scoring chance. The same could be said in overtime where we kept creating opportunities until Heather came through."
CSU dominated play throughout the first half as they maintained possession in their half of the field for the majority of the 45 minutes and outshot the Penguins, 9-1. CSU also held a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks in the first half.
The second half was a different story as neither team had many good scoring opportunities. However, the Penguins took advantage of a chance with just over three minutes to play after a Viking foul just outside the box.
YSU's Jodi Bowlen served the Penguin free kick into the box and as the Vikings attempted to clear, Tara Morley knocked in a loose ball for her first goal of the season with exactly three minutes to play.
With their season on the line, CSU came to life, pushed forward and managed to score the tying goal with just 49 seconds to play when Abbie Kakias' diving header in the box snuck past YSU goalkeeper Caitlin Bodzioney. Shayna Back registered the assist with a cross into the box from the right side.
Back also had a great scoring opportunity with 3:15 to play in overtime, but Bodzioney came off her line to poke the ball away before Back had a chance for a shot.
Kelly Zinkiewich posted four saves for the Vikings, while Bodzioney recorded 13 saves for YSU (1-18-1).
The Vikings outshot YSU, 22-9, while holding a 9-7 advantage in corner kicks.
