Sept. 24, 2006

Final Stats

Contact: Josh Rattray

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Loyola's Javier Lopez found the back of the net in the first half and Cleveland State couldn't find the equalizer, falling, 1-0, on a sunny and windy Sunday (Sept. 24) at Krenzler Field. With the loss, the Vikings fall to 3-6-1 (1-0 in Horizon League) on the season, while Loyola is now 6-3 (1-0).

Lopez's tally came at the 33:12 mark off a Matt Kilday cross from the left side. Lopez went high over two CSU defenders in the box and fired the header to the back of the net.

"Give Loyola credit," Viking head coach Ali Kazemaini said. "Their players made a play. We had some good chances in the second half, but just didn't make the plays."

CSU's best chance came at the 71:48 mark when freshman Josh Williams' header hit off the crossbar. Two more chances ensued for the Vikings, with Williams and freshman Marco DiFranco both getting shots on goal, but Loyola goalie Sean Bond made both plays.

Loyola outshot the Vikings, 13-7, including a 7-1 edge in chances in the first half. Both teams took six shots in the second stanza.

Williams led CSU with four shots and freshman George Kepart registered two.

Loyola's Michael Ferguson led the Ramblers with four shots and Matt Marek had three.

Sophomore Kasey Gray got the start in goal and played the entire first half, making three saves and yielding the game-winner. Freshman Dan Duric played the second 45 minutes and recorded two saves.

The shutout was the fourth in a row for the Ramblers, who have won six of their last seven matches.

"Loyola has a good team," Kazemaini said. "I thought the second half was even, but we got out to a slow start. We need to bring that second half intensity for 90 minutes."

The Vikings continue in Horizon League play with a match at Wright State on Wednesday (Sept. 27). Kickoff against the Raiders is at 7:00 p.m.