Cleveland State at Niagara
Sunday, Sept. 5 | 12 p.m.
Niagara Field | Niagara, New York
Presented by Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine
Free Kicks
SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State women's soccer team travels to Niagara University for a contest against the Purple Eagles. The Green and White last took the pitch against Miami (Ohio) on Thursday in Cleveland, earning a 2-2 draw.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara dominated Cornell on Thursday, winning by a final score of 5-2. Ibey recorded her first career hat trick to pace the Purple Eagle attack, while Ida Miceli and Djeynaba Thiam added the other two goals. Clara Bornet made two saves in her second start of the season.
ALL-TIME MEETING BETWEEN CLEVELAND STATE AND NIAGARA
Niagara leads the all-time series with Cleveland State, 4-2-2. The last time the Vikings visited Niagara Field the Purple Eagles came out on top, 2-0.
THE LAST TIME OUT
The Cleveland State women's soccer team tied its Thursday evening match against MAC foe Miami, 2-2. The all-time series record remains tied between these two programs 1-1-1. 110 minutes wouldn't be enough to decide Thursday's under-the-lights match. With just minutes to go until halftime, Kathryn Ramicone peppered the back of the net, assisted by McKenna Donahue. The goal marked Ramicone's third score on the season.The Green and White responded less than a minute later, as Maddie Young found the back of the net at the 70:59 mark, assisted by Donahue, her second on the evening. Thursday's contest marked Donahue's first-ever two assist outing.
KAT ATTACK
Reigning Horizon League Women's Soccer Freshman of the Year, Kathryn Ramicone, had a career day in the team's win against Canisius on Sunday, Aug. 22. Ramicone recorded two goals within the first 16:30 of the match and tallied an assist to Maddie Young nine minutes into the second frame. Sunday's match marked the sophomore's first-ever five-point day.
PRESEASON POLL
The Vikings were selected to finish sixth in the Horizon League Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, as voted upon by league head coaches. The Green and White received 91 votes, which are 18 votes more than Wright State, selected to finish right behind Cleveland State in the seven spot.
O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
Seniors Essence Canady and Helena Novatsidis have been named the captains of the Cleveland State women's soccer team, head coach Dallas Boyer announced.
- Canady, who enters her fifth year as a member of the Vikings women's soccer program, has appeared in 50 games (48 starts) over her four-year career, tallying six goals and two assists for 14 points. The North Huntingdon, Pa., native, saw her most productive season during the 2019-20 campaign, netting three goals and tallying two assists in 13 matches (12 starts).
- Novatsidis is set to begin her fourth season suiting up for the Green and White. Over her three-year Cleveland State career, the midfielder has seen action in 21 games (one start). Novatsidis made her sole start during the 2019-20 season on Sept. 15 against Canisius. The newest captain tallied her lone career assist in a 3-0 win over NKU that same season (Oct. 12).
#HLWSOC AWARD WINNERS RETURN
Kathryn Ramicone (Freshman of the Year) and Maddie Young (All-Horizon League First Team) are set to return to the pitch for the Green and White this season.
- Ramicone was on fire to end the season, scoring four goals to go along with an assist over her final three matches, all wins for the Vikings. The Strongsville, Ohio native finished as the top point scorer in the conference with 14 thanks to five goals, which tie her for the league lead, paired with four assists.
- Young scored four times and distributed three assists during a month-long five-game point streak from Feb. 10 through March 10. With four goals and four assists on the season, Young finished as Cleveland State's second-leading scorer and tied for third in the Horizon League points race.
THE 2021 SCHEDULE
Cleveland State will play in a "normal" 20-match fall schedule. The Vikings will face off against all 11 #HLWSOC opponents throughout the course of the season, with six home matches and five road contests. Boyer's squad will open league play on Thursday, Sept. 16 versus IUPUI at 6 p.m. at Krenzler Field.
THE 2021 PROMO SCHEDULE
Click here for the complete women's soccer promotional schedule: https://csuvikings.com/2021WSOCPROMO
