MATCH #5
Cleveland State (2-2-0, 2-2-0) vs. Northern Kentucky (2-1-0, 2-1-0)
Sunday, Feb. 28 | 1:00 p.m.
Cleveland, Ohio | The Bubble
Live Stats
THE OPENING KICK
The Vikes are looking to get back on track after suffering a 2-1 loss at Wright State last week. Heading into the match against the Raiders, the Green and White were winners of two straight, taking down Robert Morris and Detroit Mercy in back-to-back shutout wins.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
A pair of header goals gave the Norse a 2-1 win over an undefeated Oakland team on Monday. Junior forward Dylan Bufton is leading the team in goals (2), assists (2) and points (6). The junior has tallied a goal in each of his last two matches. Ryan Godding also has two assists on the year in three games played (all starts). Daniel Bermingham has been the Norse's goalkeeper for all three games this season. The junior from Houston, Texas, has five saves on the year.
AGAINST THIS OPPONENT
Northern Kentucky currently leads the series 2-1-2; however, the Vikes were victorious their last time out against NKU, taking the Norse down 2-1 on Sept. 21, 2019.
LAST TIME OUT
The Cleveland State Vikings men's soccer team scored first but fell 2-1 to host Wright State on Monday afternoon at Alumni Field. Jannis Schmidt found Cleveland State's lone tally in the 19th minute thanks to Pablo Kawecki's first assist of the year. The setback snaps a two-game winning streak and evens the Vikings' record at 2-2-0 on the campaign.
#HLMSOC PLAYER(S) OF THE WEEK
The Vikings won the league's weekly award in back-to-back weeks, with junior Jannis Schmidt being awarded Nike #HLMSOC Offensive Player of the Week on Feb. 19 after his two-goal performance against Detroit Mercy, while redshirt sophomore Saahb Kular was named Defensive Player of the Week after propelling the Vikes to their first win of the season against Robert Morris on Feb. 10.
GETTING DEFENSIVE
After dropping its season opener to Green Bay in double overtime, Cleveland State bounced back in a big way, winning its next two games. Over the Vikes two-game winning streak, Cleveland State has scored five goals and given up zero. CSU has only allowed two goals this entire season.
RISING IN THE HORIZON
Junior Jannis Schmidt currently ranks second in the #HLMSOC in goals scored (3), while Omeed Naeemy is tied for the top spot in the league in saves per game (4.67).
SEASON FORMAT
Horizon League schools will play a complete round-robin schedule in men's soccer with every league school scheduled to play each other once in the regular season. The league schedule sees each school slated for 10 matches over 11 dates of competition with each school having one bye week. The opening day of the men's soccer season was Thursday, Feb. 4. Matches will continue to be held every sixth calendar day until the regular season concludes Monday, April 5. Horizon League championship information, including dates and format, will be announced once finalized.
