Cleveland State’s men’s soccer squad opened its season with a 2‑1 defeat on Thursday, August 27, as they traveled to face Santa Clara. The Vikings entered the match looking to build chemistry under new head coach Ubiparipovic, whose first away test would prove to be a tight contest.
The game marked the first road appearance for Ubiparipovic, who watched his team navigate a hostile environment while attempting to imprint his tactical philosophy. Early in the second half, Santa Clara struck first, threading a precise pass into the box that found its mark and put the hosts ahead.
A Goal That Shifted Momentum
Nine minutes after the opener, Cleveland State responded swiftly. Domenic Ruggiero collected a quick one‑two from Bora Eldem and Tom Mertz before slotting the ball past the goalkeeper, leveling the score and injecting renewed energy into the Viking attack.
Despite the setback, the Vikings outshot their opponents, finishing with 12 attempts to Santa Clara’s seven and 17‑14 overall shots. Tom Mertz led the offensive charge with a game‑high five shots, three of which tested the keeper.
Between the posts, Stephen Yerian made two saves, keeping the team within striking distance until the final whistle. The narrow margin underscored both the competitiveness of the squad and the fine margins that define early‑season results.
The Vikings will now turn their attention to a home debut against Mercyhurst on Friday, August 28, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The upcoming match offers a chance to build on the positive moments from the road game and to fine‑tune the tactics introduced by Ubiparipovic.