LEXINGTON, Virginia – The Cleveland State lacrosse team ended their 2021 season with a win over VMI on Saturday afternoon.
The Vikings win marks their second victory over the Keydets this season, as Cleveland State is averaging 15 goals against VMI in 2021.
THE GAME
The Green and White scored the game's first goal with 11:10 on the clock, as Chase Baker peppered the back of the net, assisted by Ian McKissick. VMI's Jon Fant retaliated for the Keydets, before the Vikes scored four straight to build a 5-1 lead.
Noah Gleeson, Dylan Warner, Ian McKissick and Chase Baker each netted goals for Cleveland State during its 4-0 run. VMI ended the opening quarter with two scores of its own, both within the final minute of action. After one quarter, the Green and White held a 5-3 lead.
Derek Radke and Nick Polydoras opened up the second frame with two goals for the Vikes, extending CSU's lead back to four goals, 7-3, with 7:42 left to play in the opening half. The Keydets responded with back-to-back goals before Noah Gleeson recorded his second goal of the day with just under one minute to play.
Heading into halftime of Saturday's matinee contest, Cleveland State notched a three-goal, 8-5 advantage.
The Vikings outscored VMI 6-2 in the third quarter, with Stephen Masi accounting for three of Cleveland State's six goals. The Keydets began the half with a quick goal before the Vikes went on their scoring run. Masi, Evan Moskwa and Nick Polydoras each scored during CSU's second 4-0 spurt of the day, as Masi scored twice in that sequence.
Tim Lindenbaum tallied a score for VMI to close its gap, 12-7 with 2:37 on the clock in the third quarter. Masi notched his third quarter hat trick with 1:35 left to play in the third quarter. With only 10 seconds left, Gleeson recorded his third goal of the day to give Cleveland State a 14-7 lead heading into the final frame.
VMI would score four goals in the final 15 minutes, but the seven-point deficit was too much to overcome, as Cleveland State would walk away with a 14-11 regular season finale victory.
Stephen Masi (3), Noah Gleeson (3), Chase Baker (2) and Nick Polydoras (2) each found the back of the net multiple times in the Vikes' win.
Goalkeeper Kevin Sobey recorded seven saves on 18 shot attempts.
Saturday's contest marks the program's final game of competing as an independent team, as beginning with the 2022 season, the Green and White will play in the ASUN.
