HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Cleveland State Vikings women's soccer game held a 9-5 advantage in shots but were unable to find the back of the net in a 2-0 road setback at Northern Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon.

Senior goalkeeper Stevie Holbrook made a pair of saves but fell to 3-3-0 on the campaign while Cleveland State (3-4-0) notched a 4-3 edge in corner kicks on a tough day for the offense, which was shut out for the first time this season.

THE GAME
An early defensive breakdown had the Vikings playing behind for nearly the entire match as Northern Kentucky took advantage of a 2-on-1 break for a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute, leaving Holbrook with no chance on a pass to the back post.

Elena Gutlove fired a pair of shots in the 13th and 16th minutes, including an attempt on goal, while the Vikings' defense recovered nicely from the miscue to foil multiple Norse opportunities.

After Lina Feltovich's shot on net in the 26th minute, Northern Kentucky applied pressure with a pair of shots over the span of 11 seconds, but Holbrook and the Vikings' defense came through to prevent a tally.

Kathryn Ramicone used a nice individual effort on the wing to create a corner for Cleveland State in the 31st minute. On the ensuing play, the freshman was able to get a head on the ball but sent it just over the crossbar.

The Vikings' final shot of the half came with five minutes remaining when Christina Trickett stole the ball at midfield and drove into the attacking third, but the effort was blocked by the Norse defense.

Gutlove, Krosky, Trickett and Young each recorded shots over the opening 15 minutes of the second frame, but the Vikes could not break the shutout.

Northern Kentucky doubled its lead in the 73rd minute when Kayla Wypasek took a pass from the left side before taking a touch and finishing with a low shot into the left corner of the net from 10 yards out.

Trickett nearly had the answer with 10 minutes left on a nice play by Courtney Coholich that saw the sophomore carry the ball past midfield before finding Ja'Maya Ward at the top of the 18, who deflected it over to Trickett. Unfortunately for the Vikings, Trickett's effort sailed just high.

Both sides recorded four shots on goal while the Vikings played one of their cleanest matches of the year, being whistled for only two fouls.

UP NEXT
Cleveland State will play two of its final three matches at home as it looks to make a late push for a bid in the four-team #HLWSOC Championships, beginning with a contest against Green Bay at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 24.