Posted: Feb 24, 2021
Cleveland State vs. Purdue Fort Wayne
Thursday, Feb. 25 |2:30 p.m.
Plex South | Fort Wayne, Ind.
Presented by Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine
Free Kicks
SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State women's soccer team carries a two-game winning streak into Thursday's matinee contest against Purdue Fort Wayne, having claimed a pair of overtime victories over the last two weeks. After Elena Gutlove's golden goal against Wright State inside the Krenzler Bubble on February 10, the Vikes logged a season-high three goals in another extra-period win over Oaklandon the road last Wednesday. Senior Ali Martin found the game-winner, the first marker of her career, after Maddie Young deflected Kathryn Ramicone's corner kick inside the box. Cleveland State sits at 2-1-0 on the young campaign, good for third in the #HLWSOC standings.
A WIN ON THURSDAY WOULD...
Give the Vikings a three-game winning streak for the first time since a four-game run during the 2018-19 season. It would also extend the current program record of two consecutive overtime victories and give CSU a 4-2-0 edge in the all-time series between the newly made conference rivals. The Vikings and Mastodons last did battle in 2008 when Cleveland State posted a 2-0 shutout win.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Purdue Fort Wayne (1-1-0, 0-1-0) enters the match coming off a 2-0 win over Findlay. The Mastodons' #HLWSOC contest against Green Bay was cancelled, leading to the scheduling of the non-conference affair. Kailyn Wade has the lone credited 'Dons goal of the season after PFW netted its second tally when a corner kick was inadvertently deflected in by Findlay. Goalkeeper Lorah Pund has garnered the bulk of the playing time, stopping nine of 10 shots for a .900 save percentage paired with a 0.56 goals-against average.
YOUNG CAN'T BE STOPPED
Young factored in on all three Cleveland State goals in last week's 3-2 overtime win, netting a tally of her own to go along with a pair of assists. The Ohio University transfer was tabbed for #HLWSOC Offensive Player of the Week honors, becoming the second consecutive Viking to take home the award after Gutlove received it the previous week.
DYNAMIC DUO
Between Gutlove and Young, the Vikings offense is in good hands. Young paces the Horizon League in scoring with six points on the year and has scored or assisted on four of Cleveland State's five tallies. Meanwhile, Gutlove is tied for second with five points thanks to a pair of goals and a helper. Gutlove sits atop the conference in shots (14) while Young is tied for third (nine).
DISHING THEM OUT
Playing a key role on corners, freshman Kathryn Ramicone has distributed a league-best three assists through three matches. The Strongsville, Ohio has been an integral part of the Vikings' set piece operation, which has produced four goals directly following corners.
PATROLLING THE NET
Senior keeper Stevie Holbrook has made 13 saves en route to a 2-1-0 mark on the season while playing more minutes (292:47) than any other Horizon League goalkeeper. Holbrook's 13 saves are good for third-most in the circuit and she ranks eighth in saves per game (4.33).
RISING IN THE HORIZON
Cleveland State is tied for first in the Horizon League in shots (43) and second in shots on goal (23). The Vikes lead the conference in corners (23), rank second in goals (five) and sit third in assists (seven). As a team, Cleveland State is outshooting the opposition 25-12 after the opening half.
