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CSU Hosts Phoenix Looking to Get Back on Track

CSU Hosts Phoenix Looking to Get Back on Track
Posted: Sep 29, 2016

MATCH #10
 vs. Green Bay | Saturday, Oct. 1 | 7:00 p.m.
Live Stats | Video

PDF Notes
Week #6

THE OPENING KICK:
 • For the first time in nearly a month, Cleveland State has just one match this week as the Vikings continue a four-match homestand by hosting Horizon League foe Green Bay Saturday, Oct, 1.
• CSU is 17-19-4 against Green Bay, and the teams have met at least once every season since 1983.
• The series between the Vikings and Phoenix has been even in recent years, as the teams are 4-4-2 in the last 10 matches.
• Cleveland State won in overtime a year ago, 1-0, as Hesham Hammouda scored on an assist by Jake Lagania. Senior captain Sergio Manesio owns three career goals against the Phoenix. 

RECAPPING LAST WEEK:
 • Cleveland State opened this past week by taking a strong Duquesne side to overtime before falling, 1-0. Aleksandar Drobac made five saves in the match.
• The Vikings then played their Horizon League home opener this past Saturday and fell to Valparaiso, 2-1. CSU fell behind, 2-0, and although Lawrence Karpeh was able to get CSU on the board, it could not complete the comeback.

FREE KICKS:
 • Head coach Ali Kazemaini announced August 17 that he will step down at the end of this season, his 11th with the Vikings.
• Kazemaini owns 81 wins for CSU, the most in program history.
• CSU has been seeded fourth or better in the Horizon League Tournament in each of the past eight seasons, the longest active streak in the league. It most recently won the league tournament in 2012.
• With more than half of the regular season now complete, a trio of Vikings has started every match. Midfielders Hesham Hammouda and Dan Koniarczyk and defender Antonio Burgoa have been among the starting XI each game.
• CSU has had balanced offensive production as six players have scored and nine have points.
• Cleveland State enters this week having allowed only 13 goals in its past 17 matches dating back to last season.
• Eleven of Cleveland State's 13 goals this year have come in the second half. In fact, six of CSU's goals have come in the 78th minute or later.
• A total of seven newcomers, five freshmen and two transfers, have competed for CSU this year. Six have started at least once and three have played in each of the first nine games.
• Entering the week, Aleksandar Drobac leads the Horizon League in both goals against average (1.00) and save percentage (.821). The veteran led the League in both categories a year ago as well.
• Jake Lagania picked up his team-leading third assist in the setback to Valparaiso. Lagania now has 11 career helpers, tops among active Vikings.
• Junior Hesham Hammouda scored his third goal of the season in the win over Detroit Mercy Sept. 17. He equaled his goal total from last year in fewer than half of the number of games played.

UP NEXT:
 • CSU will conclude its homestand next Tuesday, Oct. 4, against Xavier.
• The Vikings will then hit the road to take on Northern Kentucky in Horizon League action Saturday, Oct. 8.