Vikings Gear Up for Buffalo Showdown
On Tuesday, September 1, the Cleveland State men’s soccer squad will step onto the artificial turf of UB Stadium for a 6:00 p.m. contest against the Canisius Golden Griffins. The match marks the Vikings’ first true road test of the season and arrives after a mixed start that has seen them split wins and defeats in their opening four outings.
Coach Ubiparipovic’s Vision and Legacy
Coach Sinisa Ubiparipovic, a two‑time Horizon League Coach of the Year, has guided the Vikings to two league championships and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Under his direction, the program has climbed to the top of the preseason Horizon League poll, earning 111 points ahead of rivals such as Green Bay and Northern Illinois.
The Vikings’ most recent outing ended in a 2‑1 loss to Mercyhurst, a game that featured a 50th‑minute strike from Domenic Ruggiero before Mercyhurst rallied with a volley in the 87th minute by Stephen Yerian. Goalkeeper Massimo Caruso made several key saves, but the team was unable to preserve the lead.
Canisius, meanwhile, has opened the campaign with two consecutive 1‑0 victories, the latest a shutout over Robert Morris in which Preston Harold turned away 15 of 15 shots. The Griffins’ defensive discipline, anchored by Harold’s performance, has set a tone of resilience early in the season.
Cleveland State’s unbeaten streak now stretches to eight games, a run that includes a 6‑0‑2 record in Buffalo and a perfect 2‑0‑1 mark on the road. The Vikings have demonstrated an ability to grind out results, a trait that Ubiparipovic credits to the depth of his roster.
Among the standout performers are freshman Uzman Ramees, the Freshman of the Year who leads the team with four assists and 13 points, and senior Tom Mertz, a two‑time First Team All‑League selection who has already tallied three goals. Lennart Heck, a Second Team All‑League pick, has contributed a goal and three assists while anchoring a defense that has recorded four shutouts. Ognjen Bozovic, who earned Third Team All‑League honors in his debut season, has also chipped in three goals.
The next test for the Vikings will be a home clash with Florida Atlantic on Saturday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m., a game that could further solidify their standing in the league and boost momentum heading into the latter half of the schedule.