Detroit, Mich. – The Cleveland State University men's soccer team weathered a strong opening to the second half by host Detroit Mercy and would take the lead for good in the 54th minute en route to a 3-1 victory in Horizon League action Saturday afternoon at a rain-soaked Titan Field.

Junior Kevin Blackwood opened the game's scoring, senior captain Sergio Manesio broke the tie for good in the second half and junior Hesham Hammouda provided the goal that clinched the outcome late in the match.

Cleveland State had the majority possession in the game's first 20 minutes but was unable to break through in that stretch. Senior Dan Koniarczyk sent a low effort from long range in the third minute that went just a little wide of the right post. CSU had a great chance in the fifth minute when sophomore Noah Pio was alone inside the box after Blackwood had played him into space with a pass from the right flank. However, Pio's low shot was stonewalled by the keeper.

Detroit Mercy began to get a foothold into the match, starting with a 15th minute free kick from goaltender Aleksandar Drobac's left side, but the CSU defense blocked it away. The Titans nearly went ahead with two strikes in the 22nd minute, but Drobac came up big with a pair of saves just four seconds apart, both of which required strong efforts.

Pio appeared to be taken down by the goalie near the edge of the 18-yard box in the 26th minute, but no call was made.

CSU would pull ahead in the 32nd minute off strong work by multiple individuals. Pio took a throw-in down the left sideline almost to the touch line. He then switched fields, playing the ball back to junior Alec Nagucki. After settling, Nagucki played a nicely-weighted ball into the box that classmate Jake Lagania headed across the face of goal. Blackwood was there to pounce on Lagania's header and slot it home.

CSU was able to take that lead into the half without much more developing in the frame although senior James Milli did block a low shot from straight on.

Detroit evened the match fewer than two minutes after halftime. Tommy Bowman was given some space near a corner of the box, and he sent a high shot that tipped the crossbar and fell behind the goal line.

For a few minutes, the Titans had the front foot in the match, as they quickly forayed forward looking to pull ahead. However, CSU weathered the surge and soon retook the lead.

Manesio won a ball in the midfield, and the ball eventually worked its way to Nagucki in the final third. The junior played a low ball into the 18-yard box for an onrushing Blackwood. Blackwood was taken down by the keeper who was late trying to get to the ball. Manesio would convert the spot kick, sending it low down the middle.

Each team had some good chances around the 65th minute. Lagania had a good look from the left side of the box after nice combination by Blackwood and Pio, but the goalie got a piece of his shot to send it wide.

With the game opening up for a few minutes, Detroit came right back down and forced Drobac into a lunging save to his right off a hard shot that came from his left.

The Vikings would settle the game down in the final 20 minutes and were able to see out the three points on the road. CSU sealed the game when Hammouda scored in the final minute with Detroit throwing men forward. Blackwood won a header off a free kick in the defensive half and would eventually play Hammouda into space down the right flank. The junior dribbled back to the middle of the field and hit a high shot over the keeper and into the net.

Blackwood's goal was his first of the season, Manesio notched the 15th of his career and Hammouda's was his team-leading third. Nagucki tallied his first point of the season, and Lagania's assist was the 10th of his career. Drobac made five saves in the win.

Cleveland State will open a four-match homestand this Tuesday, Sept. 20, with a non-conference match against Duquesne.