Home Opener Ends in Heartbreak
Cleveland State opened its season on Friday night, only to see a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Mercyhurst. The loss marks the Vikings’ second straight defeat as they look to find rhythm early in the campaign.
The first half produced a solitary strike, a 19th‑minute header from Alex De Nittis that put Cleveland State ahead. Despite a modest early lead, the Vikings were unable to extend their advantage before the break.
A Late Surge by Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst answered back in the 75th minute, leveling the score with a header off a corner that caught the Vikings’ defense off guard.
The decisive moment arrived in the 87th minute when Mercyhurst’s forward unleashed a volley from the edge of the box, slipping past Stephen Yerian and sealing a 2-1 victory.
Yerian, who finished with a career‑high nine saves, had already made six stops earlier in the match, keeping the Vikings in contention despite a barrage of shots from the opposition.
Overall, Cleveland State managed eleven attempts on goal, with De Nittis and Domenic Ruggiero each testing the keeper twice, but the Lakers’ late surge proved decisive.
The Vikings will travel to Buffalo next week to face Canisius on Tuesday, September 1, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.